CES 2013 expected to showcase 'embarrassingly large' smartphones - Page 6

Quote:

Originally Posted by SolipsismX 


A bit OT but I would love for Apple to include a digitizer in their devices. I wouldn't expect them to include a stylus with their devices but it would open the door for the option. Of course, having world class APIs I would expect. If the Galaxy Note has anything I like it's the Wacom digitizer.

Any idea on the cost, thickness, power use, or any other obstacle that a digitizer has been being added to a touchscreen?

The two main pen system providers these days are Wacom and N-Trig.

N-Trig's digitizer consists of thin antenna traces or wires on top of the screen.   They claim that their new combination capacitance (finger) and pen controller can be put into a device for about the same price as a capacitance controller alone.

Wacom's digitizer grid sits underneath the LCD screen, so it does not interfere with the visuals.  Wacom is more expensive than N-Trig, but is also usually regarded as better.  (Less likely to skip input.)

I'm not sure of power requirements for the screen antenna system.  The pens run off either batteries, inductive power, or quick charge capacitors.

The cost is supposedly anywhere from $50 to $200 per device (lowest N-Trig to highest Wacom), depending on screen size etc.

PS.  Current iPad third party active pens use IR and/or ultrasound locating methods.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeffDM 

Why do you keep calling it a hot pen tip? You know what hot pen tips are used for? Wood burning crafts.

Maybe they're not a native English speaker, and/or have somehow translated "reactive/ electric pen tip"  to "hot pen tip".

At least, that's what it sounds like to me.   Or perhaps they just misheard their friend.

But yeah, it'd be good to know why :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by SolipsismX 


1) Thanks for the technology lesson. (Does that read sarcastically? It's not suppose to.)

2) Wow! That is a crazy high price per unit. At those prices I wouldn't expect to see them in an iDevice. I knew it used to be expensive but I had hoped that the Galaxy Note was a sign that the cost had dramatically decreased. Any word on which digitizer or accuracy of the Note devices?

Wacom's 24" display + graphics tablet cintiqs retail for around $2500, and complaints of dead pixels or other issues have kept me away. I've had problems with their recent products. The intuos 3s had a cord pinch issue. It would pinch where the usb cable exited the tablet, and fixing this meant sending it into their service department at a 10-15 working day turnaround after they receive it. The 4 had a weak solder connection. The 5 no longer has a removable surface. I've avoided it as I've always worn out surfaces in the past. I didn't wish to deal with that kind of thing in a more expensive capacity. If we saw something like a touch screen imac with a really robust third party stand and a compatible Wacom digitizer pen, I'd be extremely interested. The wacom stand is rugged and minimizes any kind of bowing when pressure is applied. It's a nice step over their older ones, and being able to angle a display for drawing is invaluable. I have difficulty maintaining smooth vertical strokes, as they involve a lot of outward motion. It's much more comfortable angled. I tested this with the intuos on my lap, but obviously I couldn't work that way. Typically I get around this by rotating the canvas in whatever program I'm using at the time. I think Wacom could sell tons of digitizer pens for devices like this if they offer decent ergonomics and some improvement in accuracy over competing devices. They've never been inexpensive, and yet they've maintained sales for a lot of years.

Somehow, the industry tends to choose a direction and sheepishly keep to it. Doesn't mean Apple has to do the same.