Astropad Debuts Screen Protector and Apple Pencil Tip for a Realistic Paper Feel on iPad

[MacRumors]

Astropad, the company behind the Luna Display and Astropad Studio app, today announced the launch of Rock Paper Pencil, a new screen protector and Apple Pencil tip kit that are designed to mimic the feel of writing with a pen on paper.

According to Astropad, Rock Paper Pencil is meant to have "unmatched realism" thanks to the combination of the custom Apple Pencil tip and screen protector engineered to match. Unlike most screen protectors available, the Rock Paper Pencil screen protector is magnetic, removable, and reusable. It snaps onto an iPad and can be removed when not needed for writing purposes.

The screen protector has "nano-texture technology" that mimics the texture of paper and also cuts down on glare, while the Apple Pencil tip is made from metal and similar in design to a ballpoint pen tip. Astropad says that it is more precise than the Apple Pencil, and it is able to screw right on to the Apple Pencil 2.

Astropad is selling the Rock Paper Pencil in two sizes, including 12.9-inch to fit third-generation and newer iPad Pro models and 11-inch to fit the 11-inch iPad Pro and the iPad Air.

The Rock Paper Pencil kit can be purchased from the Astropad website for $31.99 at the current time, as there is a 20 percent launch discount available.

Article Link: Astropad Debuts Screen Protector and Apple Pencil Tip for a Realistic Paper Feel on iPad

 

[vegetassj4]

Shouldn’t it feel like writing with a pencil :/

 

[MiniMoke]

PenTips got a similar product over a year before… nothing new

Textured Feeling screen protectors

Elevate your drawing and writing experience with our Textured Feeling screen protectors. Featuring PenTips' PenMat: a matte and paperlike screen protector. Perfect for digital artists that want that traditional feeling!

pen.tips

 

[pdaholic]

Anybody have a recommendation for the best anti-glare screen protector that still maintains clarity? The display on the iPad 10 is a mirror in sunlight.

oh, and I don’t care about it being “paper-like”

 

[Rnd-chars]

I haven’t enjoyed taking notes on my iPad Pro so far, but this is affordable and flexible enough that I decided to give it a shot.

If folks are interested, you can take another 10% off using coupon code UK10.

 

[Light_of_Consciousness]

Shouldn’t it feel like writing with a pencil :/

Good catch! Why call it Rock Paper Pencil if it feels like a pen? They should at least have two nibs for different use cases. A pencil-like nib for sketching, and a pen-like nib for inking.

I just hope they don’t try to make you pay for a subscription to use the hardware.

 

[WilliApple]

Was interested since I need a new screen protector for my mini, but they have no Mini 6 option...

I hope to see reviews of this for those who have the Air and the Pro. Hoping for a mini 6 option soon because the mini 6 is the best iPad.

Also really like the name, Rock, Paper, Pencil!

 

[fwmireault]

i hope it is more durable than the overpriced trash named Paperlike

 

[BanjoDudeAhoy]

I’m skeptical of the “no wear” claim. But the idea of a thinner pencil tip and paper-like feeling sounds intriguing.
Not sure how much it would cost to have that sent to Europe, though.

 

[madmin]

The removability and pen like tip appeals to me. Ordered and said I heard about it from MacRumors

(shipping, tax, duties and exchange made it 53 euros for the 11")

 

[Apple Fan 2008]

Interesting idea, I'd want to see it in person first though.

 

[ahostmadsen]

Ordered. I tried some other paper-like screen protectors, but they degraded the viewing experience without making the writing much more paperlike, so I removed them. I like that you can remove this one whenever you want, and the idea that you need to match tip and screen sounds theoretically appealing. So, I'm taking the chance with launch discount.

 

[thefourthpope]

i hope it is more durable than the overpriced trash named Paperlike

I feel they’ve really fallen off. Used and loved them a few years back, then recently grabbed one for my mini 6 and find it too thick, quite hazy, and just generally noticeable in a bad way.

 

[thefourthpope]

Ordered. I tried some other paper-like screen protectors, but they degraded the viewing experience without making the writing much more paperlike, so I removed them. I like that you can remove this one whenever you want, and the idea that you need to match tip and screen sounds theoretically appealing. So, I'm taking the chance with launch discount.

If you remember to come back here once you have it, I’d be curious to know if it’s loud. I worry about clacking/tapping with a metal nib.

 

[Kissmo1980]

Waiting for reviews and comparisons with paperlike

 

[Nabby]

Was interested since I need a new screen protector for my mini, but they have no Mini 6 option...

I hope to see reviews of this for those who have the Air and the Pro. Hoping for a mini 6 option soon because the mini 6 is the best iPad.

Also really like the name, Rock, Paper, Pencil!

Looks like if you click the Shop now button, there's a link at the bottom to request other sizes. I'm guessing they are gauging interest in other sizes.

Here is the link they have: https://astrohq.typeform.com/to/CCKTay4W

 

[DMG35]

i hope it is more durable than the overpriced trash named Paperlike

Yeah that product is junk. I wish they could make an iPad like the Remarkable. That thing is heaven to write on. Not practical for an iPad screen though.

 

[lazyrighteye]

Too bad there's no iPad mini 6 option...

 

[Populus]

The problem with all this matte screen protectors is the reduction in image crispness and sharpness of the display. I have a Mothca matte glass and, although the texture, the touch, is the best (silky smooth, zero fingerprint, great sliding), the image is not perfect. And I’d say this is the best I’ve ever tried, it still, It reduces the quality of the display.

My guess is that this screen protector is similar to PaperLike, and there’s a reduction of image quality as well.

The pencil tip, however, looks interesting.

 

[neutrino17]

I use the Apple Pencil a lot so this is very interesting. There just seems to be a tension between a clear screen and sufficient friction to make writing a good experience. The matte screen on the Pro Display XDR is supposed to look very good. It might not work well with the Apple Pencil, or it might be too expensive. As ahostmadsen points out, being removable is an attractive feature. I could sacrifice a bit of screen quality just for those times when I’m really focused on writing or drawing.

The video on their website, if it can be believed, makes it look like the finish doesn’t degrade the image much.

I’ve experimented with trying to make my own screen cover that would just be used when I used the Pencil without success. I just ordered it and look forward to giving it a try.

I wouldn’t call this advertising. A part of tech journalism is discovering and announcing new products.

 

[madebybela]

was never a fan of these matte screen things. distorts the colors and makes everything look grainy/fuzzy. I can barely stand to look at a Cintiq screen anymore because of how clear and crisp the iPad screen normally is.

 

[aevan]

I’m skeptical of the “no wear” claim. But the idea of a thinner pencil tip and paper-like feeling sounds intriguing.
Not sure how much it would cost to have that sent to Europe, though.

I ordered one, shipping was $10 (I’m in Europe)

 

[Tofupunch]

As someone who used to use the Apple Pencil a lot on the iPad but since moved on due to it being too slick, this is a very compelling product.

 

[mlgfx]

Was about to order it but 22€ shipping to Germany is just way too much

 

[klasma]

Was interested since I need a new screen protector for my mini, but they have no Mini 6 option...

I hope to see reviews of this for those who have the Air and the Pro. Hoping for a mini 6 option soon because the mini 6 is the best iPad.

You could probably cut down a larger one to the mini size.