Stylus

iOS 9 introduces predictive touch technology that should be crucial for rumored Apple stylus

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 15, 2015

Coincidentally or not, iOS 9 has introduced a trio of notable enhancements in the multi-touch department that could be viewed as laying the groundwork for a rumored Apple-branded stylus thought to arrive later this year alongside a larger twelve-something-inch 'iPad Pro' model.

As one of the WWDC 2015 session videos details, the Cocoa Touch framework in iOS 9 has gained brand new predictive touch capabilities. Not only that, but iOS 9 now has a drawing engine and features vastly improved multi-touch performance, a significant boon for apps that let you draw with your finger or a stylus.

12.9″ iPad Pro rumored to feature stylus, NFC, Force Touch input, USB-C connector and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated November 19, 2018

Apple's rumored 12.9-inch iPad Pro is understood to include a number of interesting hardware features, including a Bluetooth stylus accessory, support for Force Touch input and a USB-C connector, AppleInsider has ostensibly learned from a person familiar with Apple's future product plans.

Dubbed by the press 'iPad Pro,' the device believed to be in the works should feature a larger 12.9-inch display, as rumored many times before. The timetable for release for this device is unknown at this point and AppleInsider is adamant that a number of changes are in tow to the iPad lineup.

Astropad now works with FiftyThree’s Pencil stylus

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 16, 2015

Astropad, an awesome iPad application which turns your Apple tablet into a professional-grade graphics tablet for your Mac, now works with the Pencil stylus by FiftyThree.

A major update, Astropad 1.1 includes major accuracy and wavy line improvements for the Jot Touch Pixelpoint stylus, improved palm rejection for Adonit styluses, support for Adobe Ink (choose Adonit when pairing), new settings and built-in help.

Microsoft announces low-cost $499 Surface 3

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 28, 2016

Microsoft on Tuesday upped the ante in the tablet race by announcing a new version of its Surface tablet/laptop hybrid, the Surface 3. Matching the iPad Air's starting price, the $499 device is being advertised as Microsoft's lightest, thinnest and least expensive tablet yet.

This non-Pro, low-cost version of the Surface runs Intel's new 1.6GHz quad-core Atom x7 chip (the highest performing Atom processor on the market) rather than an ARM-based processor, putting another nail in the Windows RT coffin.

The hybrid device has two gigabytes of RAM and sixty-four gigabytes of flash storage, runs full Windows 8.1, is upgradable to Windows 10 and offers an optional colorful keyboard at $129 for a $628 total before taxes.

Adonit stylus maker launches Forge, visual thinking app for iPad

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 30, 2018

Adonit, the maker of precision styluses for the iPad, released its first iOS application aimed at artists and creative professionals in a need of a digital storyboard to form their thoughts, draw sketches, express their ideas and more.

Available at no cost in the App Store, Forge for iPad works with your finger and fully supports the features of the company's Jot Touch styluses, like pressure sensitivity, palm rejection and custom shortcuts.

Martin Hajek imagines rumored iPad Pro stylus

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated November 19, 2018

Renowned 3D designer Martin Hajek recently published on his personal blog a batch of nice renderings representing his artistic take on Apple's rumored creative stylus accessory.

Hajek's creation “borrows the design language of the iPad Pro” and includes interesting such features as an Apple Watch like digital crown of sorts for additional operations, capacitive +/- slider for adjusting options and a glowing Apple logo.

Revered analyst predicts a creative stylus accessory for rumored iPad Pro

Christian Zibreg ∙ January 18, 2015

The “If you see a stylus, they blew it” line that Steve Jobs famously used during the January 2007 iPhone introduction is about to get challenged in the post-Jobs era.

At least that's what KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo proposed in his newly published note to clients.

Long story short, the analyst predicted that a rumored ‘iPad Pro,’ expected in late-2015, will include an optional in-house built stylus accessory as a niche product aimed at creative professionals.

FiftyThree’s Pencil stylus comes to an Apple Store near you

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 20, 2015

FiftyThree's Pencil, a Bluetooth enabled stylus that pairs with the iPad and is activated by pressing on the Pencil icon in the Paper app, is now available at an Apple Store near you. The accessory ships in an all-new packaging created by their in-house designer Becky Brown.

Adobe unveils Ink stylus, Slide ruler, Lightroom for iPhone and Mix iPad app

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated March 1, 2018

Earlier today, Adobe made a flurry of product announcements and updates, starting with the official unveiling of two long-rumored accessories: the aluminum Ink stylus for iPads running iOS 7.0 or later and the Slide.

Billed as an Ink companion and "a category-defining digital ruler", the Slide wirelessly connects to an iPad and has been designed for precision sketching of straight lines, perfect circles and balanced shapes.

In other Adobe news, the firm has launched Lightroom for iPhone, introduced brand new iPad apps - Mix, Sketch and Line - added major new features across the whole Creative Cloud desktop suite of apps and reshuffled the Creative Cloud tiers by adding a new Photography Plan.

Don't worry, I've distilled the announcements to a couple easily digestible highlights so hit the jump to learn more...

A quick look at Sensu Solo, the true brush head stylus

Jim Gresham ∙ December 20, 2013

Styli are not the coolest pieces of hardware on the market. In fact, when I think "stylus," nothing cool comes to mind. I never wanted a stylus for my iOS devices, but I used one in the past, circa 2004 on a Windows based device. Those were clearly the bad days of my gadget obsession.

Arguably making things much cooler and more useful, Sensu developed a brush-type stylus for artists and amateurs alike. Popularly known for brush head styli, the company attempts to deliver an authentic experience to the digital marketplace. The goal of their endeavor is to create a "spring and restiveness that feels like real painting" and I would argue, there is certain success with this product...

Good deal: 33% off aluminum iPad stand and stylus bundle

Cody Lee ∙ December 3, 2013

Good news today for folks still hunting for holiday gifts. If the person, or people, on your list own an iPad or another tablet, we might just have the perfect accessory bundle for you featuring the Just Mobile Slide Stand and AluPen Stylus.

The bundle includes a Slide Stand, an AluPen—both of which have won iF Product Design Awards—and an AluCube for holding the stylus. All 3 products are made of high quality aluminum and being offered at a discount for a limited time...

Fifty-Three launches Pencil stylus for iPad

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

Steve Jobs once said, "If you see a stylus, they blew it" in regard to tablets which depend on the stylus as their primary means of input. That hasn't stopped the accessory industry from engineering dozens upon dozens differently shaped and sized styluses for use with popular tablet brands, Apple's iPad included.

Fifty-Three, the people who brought you the popular Paper drawing app, Apple's 2012 iPad App of the Year Editor's Choice, have been hard at work developing its upcoming Pencil stylus for quite some time. Last month, the gizmo surfaced in an FCC filing. Starting today, the $60 Bluetooth-enabled Pencil goes on sale...