The Samsung YV-150 Voice Pen doesn't look much like a pen--in fact, it looks an awful lot like an MP3 player. As it so happens, the Pen does play MP3s, as well as WMAs, but the name "Voice Pen" has more to do with the fact that the device records your voice and saves it in its internal flash memory. The Voice Pen will come with either 512MB or 1GB of storage, and you'll have the option of recording audio notes and interviews at either 32kbps, 64kpbs, or 128kbps. Better quality means larger file size, but with the Voice Pen's auto-pause feature, recording stops as soon as the subject stops talking.

The Voice Pen recognizes six languages, and has text-to-speech functionality, so uploaded text documents can be translated into MP3 audio that you can play back using the built-in speakers. You can store your documents, music, and recordings separately in folders on the device. Two AA batteries will get you approximately 20-hours of playback time. Pricing has not been set for the device yet, but the Voice Pen might make a good combination digital media player/voice recorder for professionals who like their tunes, do interviews, and don't want to carry too many gadgets around--should it ever make it to the United States.

[ via EverythingUSB ]