<!-- Google tag (gtag.js) --> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-Q2MC6HHGTH"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-Q2MC6HHGTH'); </script><script id="Cookiebot" src="https://consent.cookiebot.com/uc.js" data-cbid="9a575506-32c3-4ed2-8123-3527a9a1f3a7" type="text/javascript" async></script> ![[AiPaper.png]] # Introduction As many of you know, I have been evaluating the [ViWoods AiPaper](https://viwoods.com/?ref=uwyhtpnc), with some mixed thoughts on the platform as a whole. In this blog, I will look at my recent attempt to use only the [AiPaper ](https://viwoods.com/?ref=uwyhtpnc)as my note-taking device for a recent institute kickoff. It should be pointed out that this is a specific context and some may use different functions on the device. However, I will do my best to explain why I made the choices I did, while attempting to be as fair as possible to the device. In the end, I will share my thoughts on the positive aspects of the device, challenges, and who I believe the device is for. If you would like additional context, you can see my unboxing video below:  # The Context: An Institute on Artificial Intelligence Alright, so this is both a difficult and exciting article to write. As part of my work at [Valpo](https://www.valpo.edu), I am privileged to be involved with the American Association of Colleges & Universities (AAC&U) [Institute on AI, Pedagogy, and the Curriculum](https://www.aacu.org/event/2025-26-institute-ai-pedagogy-curriculum). The institute focuses on how colleges and universities can better educate faculty, staff and students regarding AI literacy, skill development, and research. The initiative involves over 100 colleges and universities and our Valpo includes participants from the following colleges and departments: - College of Arts & Sciences - College of Business - College of Engineering - College of Nursing & Health Professions - Office of the Provost - Center for Innovation in Teaching, Assessment, and Learning - Christopher Center for Library and Information Sciences The institute kickoff was on September 11-12, with sessions all day about different topics in AI, including: - Ethics - Responsible Use - Teaching With AI - AI Detection Software - Careers in AI While these are just a few of the topics, it is important context for why I was so focused on taking good notes. This also explains why I thought using this as a testing ground for the [AiPaper](https://viwoods.com/?ref=uwyhtpnc) was a great way to test the capabilities and challenges of the device. Having done so, there were definitely highs and lows. # What the AiPaper Gets Right There were times when I was using the [AiPaper](https://viwoods.com/?ref=uwyhtpnc) that I felt so at ease and just got in the flow of writing. It is definitely a capable device and really shines is several areas. The hardware is premium and includes some of the most up to date components of any device on the market. Also, the writing experience was very good. Here are some of the highlights: - **Writing Feel** - The device really has a good feel when combining the Carta 1300 flexible screen with either the felt or hard plastic stylus tip. The screen feel is incredibly smooth and while not mimicking real pen on paper, it does not feel like a glass screen either. - **Meeting Minutes** - You will see this show up twice in the discussion. However, the big pro on this is being able to provide a summary (in many cases with action items) for up to five (5) pages of handwritten notes. The way they do this is by using an AI interface with ChatGPT, Gemini, or DeepSeek. Having a choice of models is pretty cool. - **Screen** - The screen was vibrant with good contrast. The calligraphy pen was very good, and although it did not really look like my handwriting, I did like the final outcome. It cleaned up the text in a very non-intrusive way, making it look very good. Overall, I think what the [AiPaper ](https://viwoods.com/?ref=uwyhtpnc)gets write is that it allows you to take quick and easy notes in the moment, without it feeling forced or artificial, which is funny since it is a digital device. It just feels good to use. I think part of this was the new stylus. I was lucky enough to receive the new W2 Stylus for review and will be doing a more in-depth review of that soon. However, I will say that early impressions are favorable, although it did have to grow on me. # What the AiPaper Gets Wrong Alright, I will begin this section by saying that there will be a longer list of challenges than successes with the [AiPaper.](https://viwoods.com/?ref=uwyhtpnc) Even after trying to find a similar number of pros, I was left with the fac that there are just some things that seem unfinished or that were causing significant friction in trying to use the device during the Institute. Here are the main concerns: - **Organizational Tools** - Being forced to choose to create notes in the "Meeting" module was frustrating because you cannot create folders and subfolders in the "Paper" module. This is a significant friction point because I prefer many of the templates in the Paper module, and that just seems like the place for long-term writing for presentations. Also, although the Daily module (Calendar) is among the best in the business, it brought in all Google Calendar events (with no filtering) and flooded by events to the point it was unusable from an integration standpoint. - **Title Formatting** - This was a constant frustration that I just wasn't ever able to solve. It may seem like a small thing, but it just drove me crazy. If I titled the note before starting to write, it would combine or overwrite part of the title that I had taken the time to create. If I did not create a title, it would either have nothing or draw part of the text from the first line. My assumption is that this was meant to be in a meeting format and help auto-generate titles. However, it did not do it well. - **Meeting Minutes** - While a useful tool, this was also extremely frustrating. Having to use Meeting to allow for the "Meeting Minutes" function to apply (although this has now been expanded to Paper in beta) was a huge issue because of wanting to use the other notes app. However, the larger issue was the five page limit. This at first had me trying to fit everything into five pages so that the device would not treat the note as multiple meetings. I felt rushed and the need to "make it fit," which was not a useful level of anxiety. - **Export Issues** - A caveat here in that you can easily backup your notes to cloud services like OneDrive, Dropbox, and Google Drive. You can also email notes. That being said, the export options are not that great. If you want to export the Meeting Minutes for example, you get the option of exporting as a text file or HTML, not a PDF. Often, the output in the AI has action items, table summaries, and other rich tools. Not being able to export that to a rich text or PDF format seems like an unnecessary friction point. - **Nib Wear** - This may also seems like a small issue, but when you consider that I come from the ceramic nib world, I am not used to worrying about my nib flattening and fraying. To be fair, [ViWoods](https://viwoods.com/?ref=uwyhtpnc) does provide a plastic nib as well, which does help with wear but also changes the writing experience somewhat (not necessarily better, but different). It is rumored that a ceramic nib is on the horizon for [ViWoods](https://viwoods.com/?ref=uwyhtpnc), but we will see. That being said, I started experiencing wear on day one of heavy use. By the end of the institute, I was encountering fraying. - **The Price** - Alright, I don't think we can talk about this device without the perceived value, out of control suggested retail value, and actual cost. The current state of the AI integration is not quite there yet, but getting better. Also, the severe lack of basic organizational tools and multiple notes apps (modules) makes this a reasonable device if you get it for under $500. However, beyond that, you have far more capable devices in the same price range. Obviously, the length of this list makes it seem like this is a bad device. I hope that is not what you take away from the list. These are all things that can be addressed through software changes and are hopefully valuable to [ViWoods](https://viwoods.com/?ref=uwyhtpnc) as feedback. It really is all about which items are most important on your list. From my perspective, these are shortcomings, but they may or may not be a friction point for someone else. # Future Outlook I truly believe that you buy a device based on the current toolset and how it fits your needs. MKBHD always says that you don't by technology based on future promises. I can't agree more and is why I am so intentional about the devices I own and the ones that I recommend. [ViWoods](https://viwoods.com/?ref=uwyhtpnc) has been releasing regular software updates and adding tools with customizations. They also seem to be listening to at least some of their user base and trying to incorporate that feedback. That being said, if you assess the device and it fits your current needs, while recognizing that the future updates could only serve to enhance your experience, [ViWoods](https://viwoods.com/?ref=uwyhtpnc) appears to be on that track. # Conclusions & Final Thoughts So, where does this leave us? It kind of brings us back to where we began. This device has some brilliant and welcome features. It is capable of so many things, but still feels unfinished. There have been definite improvements, but there is still a long way to go to make it competitive with any of the other major brands. The biggest strength is the calendar app (once some glitches are addressed) and the AI integration. However, until the UI becomes more intuitive and basic organizational tools are added, I have a hard time recommending it to a working professional that needs those tools. For someone who is more looking for a paper replacement with some really cool additional functionality, this is a great device with some of the best hardware on the market. If you want to see how my thinking on this device has changed (and in some ways stayed the same), check out my blog from July here: - [[ViWoods AiPaper - Interesting but Unfinished]] Until next time, thank you for visiting my site and please feel free to read other [[Blog]] articles. You can also check out my various videos, podcasts, and social media below. 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