A Portable Solution for When Inspiration Strikes

Erica Gamet

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In this connected world populated by the digerati, it’s a little surprising when a product appears that invites us to take a step back towards simplicity. Already funded via Kickstarter with mere days to go, the Betabook is one such product. The idea is simple: a portable whiteboard.

Its creators saw a need for a tool that would let you focus on your inspiration and creativity, free from digital distractions. I’ve often needed to jot something down, instinctively reached for my iPhone, and almost immediately been swept up in emails, Facebook, and Twitter posts, having forgotten why I grabbed my phone in the first place. The Betabook—which comes in A4 and A3 sizes—lets you get your ideas out of your head without fumbling for the right app.

Assuming everyone is familiar with the whiteboard concept, you can probably see that its simple brilliance lies in keeping only what you want and making changes quickly. That fluidity has always been the strong suit of the whiteboard. And because your smartphone is never far away, you can record the items you want to keep using the camera and your app of choice. The Betabook folds up like a sketchbook—at a fraction of the weight—and stows a marker and cleaning cloth tightly inside.