Testing, iPad, 2, Three... and a Wacom Bamboo Stylus!
Brad Chin
After only a few days wait, I received my Wacom Bamboo Stylus for iPad from Amazon (with free Super Saver shipping). I also downloaded the Bamboo app for iPad, and I'll share some about that later. I have mixed feelings about the Bamboo Stylus — but I'll start with the fact that I like it a lot.
Perhaps my complaint should be focussed more on capacitive touch screen technology, but one of my issues is the imprecise feel of the "6mm" tip. I thought that it'd be more rigid, or smaller perhaps, but it feels and functions much like the Boxwave stylus. The Bamboo is longer and thus easier to hold, but the Boxwave comes with a tether that fits in the headphone jack. Both have adequate clips (unlike the fragile plastic clip of the Pogo Sketch), though the Bamboo's clip can be laser engraved and is removable. Both "B" styli are an improvement over the Pogo Sketch by Ten One Design, but that's mostly because of build quality.
The Pogo has a smaller tip and feels more accurate, but the small size may compromise reliability. On several occasions with different iPads, the Pogo wasn't recognized. Because of this, I feel instinctually compelled to press down with more force than should be necessary — that, I don't like.
About the iPad 2, the test platform.
The iPad 2 itself has been a joy; I didn't think that it would seem so much better than the original, but in all practical terms, it is. It's certainly not due to low-res imaging; the image of the "pens" comes courtesy of the rear facing iPad 2 camera. Granted, my first-gen iPad lacked 3G; still, factoring that out, the iPad 2's total-package is just incredible. Every once in a while, I think about Android 3 and NVIDIA Tegra 2 chips in tablets running Vendetta: Online — but then I think of the hundreds of amazing iOS apps and the dozens of dedicated Mac developers I've talked to, and I can't possibly regret or question my iPad decision.
I love Wacom stuff, especially the Cintiq monitor. That's one thing that I wish the iPad had, Penabled support. However, I've been told that the technology packed in the iPad 2 makes pressure sensitivity possible. Ten One Design released a video demonstrating this within their "Autograph" application, but thus far, nothing has been released (that I know of).
Presently, the biggest limitation of styli for the iPad has to do with capacitive multitouch. Unlike on paper or a Penabled Tablet PC, the writing hand can't rest on the device — not without problems. Some apps try to solve this with a "palm rest" feature, but it's an imperfect solution. My own solution? I've had to relearn how to write, but it's mostly been worth the trouble.
For more iPad info and cool stuff, check back soon! I've been testing apps and other gadgets, and will share my thoughts very soon.
Grand Slam Tennis (at Wimbledon) on grass is going on; Roger Federer could tie Sampras' seven wins there, so my attention is split. But, I need something to do in between coverage, and I'm looking for someone to play "Dungeon Hunter: Alliance," "Dead Nation" and "Borderlands: GOTY" with (PSN: rainfault).