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thadoggfather

macrumors P6
Original poster
Oct 1, 2007
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if not for it being 99 bucks, I think doodling on a phablet would be kind of cool
 
I know the S pen on my Note4 is a nice touch, and I use it a fair bit more for work then I do for play. It would be interesting to see the new iPhone have the right kind of screen to use the pen with. (my understanding is that the pen needs a certain back screen with sensors and such to detect the pen, I could be wrong though.)
 
Oh yeah I definitely meant for future models with a hw update not on existing ones/retroactively, just to clarify
 
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Personally, I have always like a stylus. I am shocked at the number of people I know who have a note phone and never even take the stylus out. I do not see apple trying to attack that niche of a customer.
 
I think there are 2 types of Note users. Ones who use the S pen, and those that wanted a larger phone / Phablet. At least that's been my experience. I've used my S pen, on the Notes 2 & 4, in all kinds of weather to boot, from various snow to drizzling rain. From -30C and up. Though the pen really doesn't like the cold for long. Hate using it when it's wet out....

Correct me if I'm wrong, but Palm used them, and blackberry did for a while. and then there was a long break before Samsung brought it back. The use of a stylus seems to be rare feature that comes and goes.

I don't really see Apple, or anyone else for that matter, jumping into that particular niche.. Not even sure Samsung is going to continue the line in the long term. As more and more phablets are released onto the market, the number of people who buy the Note for the Stylus may not justify them making a Note Series. (Hope that last part makes sense) Just not sure the numbers are there or if its a long term selling point for them....
 
The Apple Pencil does exist software and hardware on device and iPad Pro's. However it may take a couple of years before the iPhone supports it. Personally I would love if Apple announces support in September, but it's a 50/50. It will not be as advanced as Samsung's S-Pen which has been un-challenged for 5 years but that's ok.
 
No need for Apple to release a pencil for an iPhone. I have 5 pencils on each hand.

More like you have ten of those fat crayons that small children use :)

In real life, people use more than one type of writing instrument. Pens, brushes, highlighters, charcoal, you name it. A modern device should accept more than one type of input. I've always found a pen to be handy for drawing little notes (like we all used to do with pencil and paper) before going to say, Home Depot.

At least you called it a pencil, though. A "stylus" is just a dumb stick substituting for a finger, whereas an electronic "pen" or "pencil" is an active device that is usually far more accurate, and possibly has extra capabilities such as an erase mode button.
 
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I have a Note 4. While I rarely use the pen there are situations where it is very useful. Some desktop versions of web sites have dynamic menus that respond to pointer hovering. It is impossible to navigate such websites with your finger - not just because it's too thick but because it does not "hover" (i.e. no pointer functionality). S Pen helps out in this case because it works as a pointer.
 
I don't think that the iPhone will get Pencil support. Same reason why it doesn't get split-screen-multitasking and picture in picture mode. Everything would be nice to have, but not really usable/useful on a small screens like iPhones have.
 
but not really usable/useful on a small screens like iPhones have.

The 6S+ is roughly the same size as the Samsung's Note Series of phones, and the pen has proven useful there. Everyone I know with a Note has reasons why they love the S Pen. For me, it's the screen writing options, minor Picture editing and I use it when I know my fingers are going to be too big to use the screen properly (Web browsing for example).

I'd agree with you on the smaller phones though.
 
Since when does apple listen to demand? I mean they just kind of do their own thing.

I agree though, chances are unlikely that they'd do it. For one the Pencil is a fair bit larger then the S Pen. Which would probably make it a bit more uncomfortable to use on the phone, especially on the go. The lack of storage space means you're carrying the pencil with you instead of it being stored in the phone.
 
No way Apple adds pencil support to the iPhone. There is actually no demand for this anyway.

There was no demand for the Apple Pencil itself. The only demand was a larger screen iPad. If a product is not in demand,, then you create the demand. The vast majority of products that exist were never really in demand but became a success. There was no valuable demand for an Apple Watch yet Apple actually made it. (not as successful as Apple hopped, but a somewhat successful).
 
There was no demand for the Apple Pencil itself. The only demand was a larger screen iPad. If a product is not in demand,, then you create the demand. The vast majority of products that exist were never really in demand but became a success. There was no valuable demand for an Apple Watch yet Apple actually made it. (not as successful as Apple hopped, but a somewhat successful).

Pencil on larger screen makes sense. Drawing etc. on a small screen, doubt it.
 
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