VPen promises write stuff at CeBIT

OTM says its VPen could replace the keyboard for mobile devices

HANNOVER, Germany (CNN) -- Business is always in a rush these days, keen to find ways to communicate with maximum efficiency and minimum effort.

One company hoping to offer a solution at CeBIT this year is OTM Technologies, with its creation of the virtual pen, or VPen.

Using the VPen, you can write on any surface available, including the palm of your hand, and your words will be digitally transferred to the device of your choice -- mobile, PC or PDA.

"VPen offers a complete replacement for both the keyboard and the mouse for mobile devices on the go," says Gilad Lederer, president and CEO of Israel-based OTM.

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"Twelve billion SMS messages are being sent worldwide per month by pushing buttons endlessly. Imagine how much this market could be increased if the cellular operators were able to offer their customers the most natural way of inputting text."

The VPen contains a sensor at its tip and converts the motions of the pen into text characters, which are then transmitted via a Bluetooth link or a wire to a digital device.

The handwriting recognition software can be embedded either in the VPen or the target device, or both.

The VPen also can be used to draw pictures and browse the Internet, or as a joystick to play games, according to OTM's Web site.

The VPen is expected to hit the market within a year.