Stylus

VIDEO: is Apple adding 3D Touch to iPad with Apple Pencil?

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 15, 2016

Many people are disappointed that the latest iPads lack 3D Touch-capable screens although it's anyone's guess whether or not 3D Touch would make sense on tablet-sized screens. Well, iOS 10 beta 2 apparently has 3D Touch-like functionality on the iPad thanks to the Apple Pencil, which has been discovered to support deep presses.

Using an Apple Pencil, it's possible to do things like clear all notifications with a deep press on the latest beta of iOS 10. Check out our video showing the feature in action and, as usually, let us know what you guys think of this.

Adonit unveils the Pixel, its best iOS stylus yet which detects 2,048 levels of pressure

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 24, 2016

Accessory maker Adonit announced a new addition to its styli lineup today, dubbed the Pixel. Calling it “the best stylus we've ever made,” Adonit claims it wants the Pixel to be the natural evolution of writing and drawing. The device is available for just $79.99, or twenty bucks less than the Apple Pencil.

While it lacks some of the advanced features found in Apple's stylus, the Pixel doesn't require a special circuitry inside the display itself in order to function.

Apple will bring back UI navigation with Apple Pencil in the next iOS 9.3 beta

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 23, 2016

Well, that didn't take long. In response to concerns that it is taking features away from the iPad Pro's Pencil, Apple confirmed in a statement to The Verge that the next iOS 9.3 beta will reinstate the Pencil's ability to be used as a finger replacement for the user interface navigation.

“We will add this functionality back in the next beta of iOS 9.3,” said a company spokesperson. Earlier today, MacRumors discovered that the most recent beta of iOS 9.3 has removed the ability for iPad Pro customers to use the Pencil to navigate the entirety of the iOS user interface.

Advanced iPad Pro and Apple Pencil support now available in Astropad’s iPad app

Christian Zibreg ∙ December 21, 2015

Astropad, an awesome app by former Apple engineers that basically turns the screen of your iOS device into a graphics tablet for the Mac, has received an important update this morning with expanded support for Apple's new 12.9-inch iPad Pro and the Apple Pencil. Coupled with the iPad Pro and Apple Pencil, Astropad is now truly a Wacom Cintiq replacement that’s wireless.

“We’ve spent significant time with iPad Pro and we’ve rethought, tweaked and tuned Astropad to make the most of this powerful device,” developers tell me via email.

Apple Pencil packs in the smallest logic board iFixit has ever seen

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 19, 2015

According to a teardown analysis of the Apple Pencil performed by iFixit, Apple's optional Bluetooth stylus accessory for the iPad Pro packs in the smallest logic board that the repair firm has ever seen. Despite its minuscule appearance, Apple's engineers had to fold it in half to fit inside the Pencil's tiny enclosure.

As if that weren't enough, the Apple Pencil is choke full of other radical technological solutions, said iFixit.

Which has lower latency: Apple Pencil or Microsoft’s Surface Pro 4 stylus?

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated August 4, 2016

Microsoft's fourth-generation Surface Pro offers stylus and keyboard cover accessories just like Apple's newly released iPad Pro. Apple, of course, is adamant that the Pencil is the best stylus on the market because it has virtually no lag or delay.

The Apple Pencil takes full advantage of iOS's predictive touch technology, the iPad Pro's special screen design and sensors in its tip that measure every nuanced stroke, angle and pressure.

After putting the device through its paces, El Mundo writer and photographer Angel Jimenez de Luis concludes that Apple's stylus has a bit lower latency than Microsoft's, and he posted a video showcasing tracking capabilities of both accessories.

This particular Apple Pencil detail exemplifies what Apple is all about

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 12, 2015

Apple's legendary attention to detail comes into full view yet again with the iPad Pro's optional accessory, the Apple Pencil. As first discovered and shared by The Verge in its iPad Pro review, the Apple-branded stylus—which was designed exclusively for the new iPad—is weighted so it won't roll away on a table top. In fact, it always stops rolling with the word 'Pencil' facing upward on its metal band, which is awesome.

iPad Pro and Apple Pencil approved by FCC

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated August 4, 2016

With about two weeks left until the official launch of the iPad Pro and the Apple Pencil, the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has approved both devices, GforGames reported today.

Both the Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi + Cellular models of the 12.9-inch iPad Pro have received final approval yesterday, October 15, documents published by the FCC reveal.

Apple introduces new Pencil stylus for iPad Pro

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

Following its announcement of the long-rumored iPad Pro, Apple introduced two new accessories for the 12.9-inch tablet. The first is the keyboard, which you can read about here, and the second is a stylus accessory that the company is calling the 'Apple Pencil.'

Apple used a traditional Jony Ive-voiceover video to unveil the Pencil, with the newly-appointed Chief Design Officer saying "Apple Pencil is designed to look and feel like a familiar tool. Highly responsive sensors built into Pencil can sense pressure, tilt, and stroke."

New report outlines additional iPad Pro details on storage size, screen size, and more

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

A new report, by well-sourced blogger Mark Gurman, has outlined additional information regarding the upcoming iPad Pro. Just two days from what will likely be the super-sized tablet's first public appearance, details on its storage size, apps, and accessories are revealed in a new writeup on 9to5Mac. What storage size will the iPad Pro start at? How much might it cost? Will it include the long-rumored stylus accessory?

KGI: iPad Pro with optional Force Touch-enabled stylus accessory entering production this fall

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated November 19, 2018

KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicted in a note issued to clients Wednesday, a copy of which was obtained by AppleInsider, that Apple's 12.9-inch 'iPad Pro' will be entering mass production in September or October of this year.

The device will feature an optional Apple-made stylus accessory, sold separately, with built-in Force Touch support.

Apple patents stylus that scans objects in 3D and simulates textures via haptic feedback

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated November 19, 2018

KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo is adamant that Apple is working on an advanced stylus accessory for a rumored 12-inch 'iPad Pro,' an assumption based in no small part on patent applications Apple has filed for in years past.

The latest indication that the iPhone maker is indeed researching styli technology comes in the form of a new patent application published Thursday by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) which proposes an advanced texture-sensing stylus design with a built-in camera.