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Apple Researching Pen-Based Input Recognition for Tablet Devices?
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I wasn't considering the engineering trade-offs required for such a device, I was merely saying from a convenience perspective, requiring a particular kind of stylus means the possibility of losing it, and lost functionality until you replace it. Which translates to having to buy a spare to store in your briefcase (backpack/whatever) because when you do lose it, it will be at an inopportune time.
the thing is that for common every day use many find having to use a stylus is a pain. you have to pull it out and if you lose it you end up using your finger anyway.
for some uses you have to have a stylus, like when I made a purchase at the Apple store today. but many times a finger is accurate enough and you can't really lose it (if you do, you have bigger troubles)
To everyone complaining that Jobs once said that styluses are terrible, can you please consider the context it was said in before using it as an argument?
Think waaaaay back to the 90's. The first phones had button-only interfaces. Then along came the stylus and made input a little more natural than using buttons. The problem was, if you lost your stylus, you lost a lot of functionality. If I recall correctly, you could try pressing those on-screen buttons with your finger, but it sure wasn't easy - these phones were designed for the precise input provided by the stylus (small screens, small buttons, handwriting recognition - sometimes with a special alphabet you had to learn...)
Looks to me like Apple saw that touch screens were better than button interfaces, but clearly the stylus interface was imperfect due to, well, the NEED for an additional, easily misplaced piece of equipment. So they eliminated the stylus, made the screen bigger, designed multi-touch, and made a touch keyboard that's as easy to use as (or arguably easier than) handwriting input. Of course Jobs hated styluses on phones - they were annoying and unnecessary.
But a tablet (assuming it is coming)... that would not be just a large iPhone. It's a bigger screen, different form factor. Perhaps Apple envisions (or has envisioned at some point) the applications for this thing that would benefit from input more precise than a finger can provide. Saaay, taking notes without looking at the screen.
In the context of multi-touch and a decent on-screen keyboard, supporting precise input via something like a stylus would actually enhance the product (IF the stylus is not necessary for a good user experience operating the device). If Apple decides that the stylus is the best way to support precise input, they'll make their products compatible with it. But you won't see them coming out with a tablet that requires precise input or ONLY accepts stylus-based input.
It's subtle, but there's a major difference between stylus-only and stylus-compatible.
Think waaaaay back to the 90's. The first phones had button-only interfaces. Then along came the stylus and made input a little more natural than using buttons. The problem was, if you lost your stylus, you lost a lot of functionality. If I recall correctly, you could try pressing those on-screen buttons with your finger, but it sure wasn't easy - these phones were designed for the precise input provided by the stylus (small screens, small buttons, handwriting recognition - sometimes with a special alphabet you had to learn...)
Looks to me like Apple saw that touch screens were better than button interfaces, but clearly the stylus interface was imperfect due to, well, the NEED for an additional, easily misplaced piece of equipment. So they eliminated the stylus, made the screen bigger, designed multi-touch, and made a touch keyboard that's as easy to use as (or arguably easier than) handwriting input. Of course Jobs hated styluses on phones - they were annoying and unnecessary.
But a tablet (assuming it is coming)... that would not be just a large iPhone. It's a bigger screen, different form factor. Perhaps Apple envisions (or has envisioned at some point) the applications for this thing that would benefit from input more precise than a finger can provide. Saaay, taking notes without looking at the screen.
In the context of multi-touch and a decent on-screen keyboard, supporting precise input via something like a stylus would actually enhance the product (IF the stylus is not necessary for a good user experience operating the device). If Apple decides that the stylus is the best way to support precise input, they'll make their products compatible with it. But you won't see them coming out with a tablet that requires precise input or ONLY accepts stylus-based input.
It's subtle, but there's a major difference between stylus-only and stylus-compatible.
Yippee!! Finally, the return of the Newton! The Newton was way ahead of it's time. 
Maybe it will come on a spring-loaded retractable cable.
Maybe it will come on a spring-loaded retractable cable.
Axiotron Quickscript?
It's funny how Apple is so vehemently opposed to something when they aren't doing it, but then will flip when they are.
I really hope it has pressure sensitivity like Wacom.
As far as handwriting recognition, I bet Apple's gonna buy this up really quickly.
http://www.axiotron.com/index.php?id=quickscript
I've been using it and it's AMAZING.
It's funny how Apple is so vehemently opposed to something when they aren't doing it, but then will flip when they are.
I really hope it has pressure sensitivity like Wacom.
As far as handwriting recognition, I bet Apple's gonna buy this up really quickly.
http://www.axiotron.com/index.php?id=quickscript
I've been using it and it's AMAZING.
Thank God!
WAHOO! Every time a PDA or phone is released the *first* thing I look to see is if it has hand writing recognition and it never does darnit! I have become increasingly annoyed wondering why the heck no ones makes one. The technology has been around since the Newton! I want an electronic notepad! I want to write not peck! I have yet to buy a hand held device because of this.
WAHOO! Every time a PDA or phone is released the *first* thing I look to see is if it has hand writing recognition and it never does darnit! I have become increasingly annoyed wondering why the heck no ones makes one. The technology has been around since the Newton! I want an electronic notepad! I want to write not peck! I have yet to buy a hand held device because of this.
Stylus compatible, not exclusive...
As others have stated, there's no reason why you can't create a system that is able to use a stylus OR a finger, based on need.
Count me among those who was passionately in love with my Newton 2100. The ability to write on the screen was a technological function that I've missed since the day I could no longer upgrade and support my Newton.
Now, I love my iPhone, but with the advent of a tablet, I don't want to type, I want to write. And, the handwriting recognition in the later Newtons was fantastic, imo.
So, make the stylus optional. If you lose it, you can still use your finger, but the writing will have to be larger. If you use a stylus, you can write in a smaller type.
As others have stated, there's no reason why you can't create a system that is able to use a stylus OR a finger, based on need.
Count me among those who was passionately in love with my Newton 2100. The ability to write on the screen was a technological function that I've missed since the day I could no longer upgrade and support my Newton.
Now, I love my iPhone, but with the advent of a tablet, I don't want to type, I want to write. And, the handwriting recognition in the later Newtons was fantastic, imo.
So, make the stylus optional. If you lose it, you can still use your finger, but the writing will have to be larger. If you use a stylus, you can write in a smaller type.
Up-Stream
Well honestly it comes down to productivity... if the tablet is to have some kind of productivity usage then there must be a point at which stylus or similar input would be needed for finer details. The touch screen is being toughened and has been mentioned numerous times...
If it is to be used in places like medical or difficult environments then accuracy is important. Like the iPhone a protective layer should still be able to be applied as an additional protection.
I am sure the product designers would like to see some kind of 'up stream' content being produced by the tablet in whatever form it arrives in...
Well honestly it comes down to productivity... if the tablet is to have some kind of productivity usage then there must be a point at which stylus or similar input would be needed for finer details. The touch screen is being toughened and has been mentioned numerous times...
If it is to be used in places like medical or difficult environments then accuracy is important. Like the iPhone a protective layer should still be able to be applied as an additional protection.
I am sure the product designers would like to see some kind of 'up stream' content being produced by the tablet in whatever form it arrives in...