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

[GtrDude]

Why just talk about these guys and completely ignore PenTips?
They've been doing this longer, are fantastic, and don't cost as much.

 

[klasma]

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

It looks rather noticeable to me in their top picture:

But maybe it’s more subdued when viewed from the top.

 

[gadgetfreak98]

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”

I like the Moshi screen cover.

iVisor AG Anti-glare Screen Protector

Our patented iPad screen protector is 100% bubble-free and washable for extended product life. Easy to apply and lasts for the lifetime of your device.

us.moshi.com

I've used it for a very long time on my 2018 12.9" Pro. You can wash it. It does have the paper like feel, but I suspect that would be true with any anti-glare surface.

I don't know, however, if they make it for the regular iPad.

 

[pdaholic]

I like the Moshi screen cover.

iVisor AG Anti-glare Screen Protector

Our patented iPad screen protector is 100% bubble-free and washable for extended product life. Easy to apply and lasts for the lifetime of your device.

us.moshi.com

I've used it for a very long time on my 2018 12.9" Pro. You can wash it. It does have the paper like feel, but I suspect that would be true with any anti-glare surface.

I don't know, however, if they make it for the regular iPad.

Thank you, I’ll look into them!

 

[LogicalApex]

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

Textured Screen Protectors for Digital Artists and Note Takers | PenTips

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

That looks great too!

I ordered the one here due to the included metal tip, but will try this one if I end up disappointed.

 

[gumbyhw]

This is the kind of product I look for -- I mostly use my ipad for taking notes and diagrams. Usually the screen isn't as sharp, but that doesn't bother me (I know it's a big deal for others).

So far I've been disappointed by the couple I've tried. If there is a review of this one I might consider trying again. Bare pencil-on-ipad isn't a great experience.

 

[macduke]

I actually love this. It's magnetic, everything is fully reversible, and the price is decent.

Unfortunately my 12.9" iPad Pro is currently smashed (no idea how it happened) and I need to replace the display so I should probably prioritize figuring that out. Working on it, it's not straightforward at all unless you're willing to pay Apple $750.

 

[phillypharm]

Hopefully they come out with an OG pencil option and 10.5" iPad screen covers.

 

[subjonas]

The thinner pen-like tip sounds great and maybe just what I’ve been waiting for for a long time. I’m assuming the screen protector isn’t much different from my current one, although the magnetic attachment sounds like an interesting proposition.

Except neither the protector nor tip are compatible with my 2017 12.9” iPP and 1st gen Pencil, sadly (Edit- wait, I thought pencil 1 and 2 tips were the same compatibility?). I’m still on the older iPad mainly because of Touch ID. The reasons to upgrade are mounting though—Pencil Hover, magnetic Pencil 2 charging, Magic Keyboard, and now this. This and Pencil Hover are the more compelling reasons for me. Funny a third party accessory may get me to finally upgrade. Of course if Apple would put Touch ID on the iPP power button, I would have upgraded a long time ago.

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

Textured Screen Protectors for Digital Artists and Note Takers | PenTips

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

Thanks for the heads up. I‘ve been waiting for third parties to make alternative pen tips since the Pencil was first introduced. I don’t know why I never heard of PenTips before!
The Astropad one does seem to be very different than the PenTips ones that I saw on their website. The Astropad tip looks thinner like a ballpoint pen, which is of more interest to me. But I definitely want to check out PenTips’ offerings as well.

 

[Sevendaymelee]

That's human nature for you. Invent a technology that you consider superior to the prior technology, then spend decades trying to emulate supposedly inferior technology to no success...

 

[Remy149]

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.

I use my iPad Pro daily as a work notebook.

 

[subjonas]

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.

I suppose the Apple Pencil should feel like pencil writing as well then?
I agree these names aren’t very accurate, but as far as actually getting that pencil writing feel, it seems like it would be pretty difficult. The friction feel of pencil writing is the paper grain scraping lead off the tip of the pencil. I don’t know how they can get that same scrape friction feel without actually scraping something off. The only way I could see is if they actually make tips that wear down like lead but don’t leave a mark on the screen. The problem of course then is it would make a shavings/dust mess and require new tips very often. It might also require a replacing the screen protector quite often unless they can make one with extremely durable “grain”. I wouldn’t mind replacing the tip and screen protector often if they’re very inexpensive and fully recyclable, but the shavings/dust might get annoying to deal with.

 

[RevTEG]

Any conformation that the tip replacement is ok to use if I don't use their screen protector? I taken notes so long on the iPad that the glass screen doesn't bother me. I'm just interested in trying the thinner AP tip.

 

[hoodafoo]

maybe apple has gaslit me for so long but $40 sounds ultra cheap for this

 

[subjonas]

Any conformation that the tip replacement is ok to use if I don't use their screen protector? I taken notes so long on the iPad that the glass screen doesn't bother me. I'm just interested in trying the thinner AP tip.

I don’t know but I can’t imagine why it wouldn’t work without the screen protector. Maybe the tip would damage the glass and the protector is extremely durable? Only issue I can think of but it’s hard to imagine that being the case. Hopefully someone can confirm.

 

[subjonas]

Hopefully they come out with an OG pencil option and 10.5" iPad screen covers.

Super doubtful, sadly, as an OG pencil use myself.

Edit- wait, don’t Pencil 1 and 2 use the same tips?

 

[McBoone]

Nothing new at all.

Save money and get this...

Reusable Paper Texture Screen Protector Compatible with iPad Air 5th/4th Generation 10.9 inch 2022/2020, iPad Pro 11 inch 4th/5th/6th 2020/2021/2022, Magnetic Detachable Removable Anti Glare Matte

【Compatible Model】 iPad Air 5th/4th Generation 10.9 inch 2022/2020 Release Model and iPad Pro 11 inch 4th/5th/6th 2020/2021/2022 Release Model 【Removable and Reusable】 Removable and Reusable and Detachable Screen Protector. It can be installed Repeatedly and used many times, You can easily ...

www.amazon.com

and this...

Delidigi Pencil Tips for Apple Pencil 2nd 1st Gen, Apple Pencil Pro & USB-C, Upgraded Metal Wear-Resistant Pen Like Tips, Fine Point Precise Control Tips for Apple Pencil

Delidigi Pencil Tips for Apple Pencil 2nd 1st Gen, Apple Pencil Pro & USB-C, Upgraded Metal Wear-Resistant Pen Like Tips, Fine Point Precise Control Tips for Apple Pencil

www.amazon.com

 

[subjonas]

it is able to screw right on to the Apple Pencil 2.

I took that to mean it’s only compatible with Pencil 2, but don’t Pencil 1 and 2 use the same tips? Does that mean it’s compatible with Pencil 1?

 

[gumbyhw]

That's human nature for you. Invent a technology that you consider superior to the prior technology, then spend decades trying to emulate supposedly inferior technology to no success...

Well it's much better to write on paper with a pen I like, but if I do it on the ipad they are automatically saved, searchable, and don't take up a lot of space in my bag. So I want those advantages of going electronic and also want to get the tactile experience as close to paper as possible.

It's not that unreasonable. For example most calculator apps have a UI like a standalone calculator.

 

[ddhhddhh2]

It's a bummer they don't have it in the iPad Mini size. Well, maybe some people think the Mini's just not cut out for drawing, huh?

 

[MiniMoke]

Thanks for the heads up. I‘ve been waiting for third parties to make alternative pen tips since the Pencil was first introduced. I don’t know why I never heard of PenTips before!

Beware! PenTips are covers that slip over the regular Apple Pencil tip. Not replacement Tips!

Their magnetic screen protector is very good though

 

[naoul]

Has anyone tried the one from ESR ? Any thoughts?

 

[thefourthpope]

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

Thanks! I submitted a request

 

[MartyvH]

Very interested to see how it compares to the PenTips Textured Feeling screen protector I found and ordered just last week after having the Paperlike on my iPP since October 2021... 🤦‍♂️ I've been hanging out for a good removable one.

 

[svish]

Might be a good a screen protector