InPEN adds some smarts to the stylus
by Nilay Patel 
posted May 17th 2007 at 5:09AM
Tablet PC devices seem to be getting overshadowed (as always) by other initiatives at this year's WinHEC, but scrappy Arizona outfit InPlay Technologies is hoping to swing some attention back to the platform with the release of the InPEN, its new computerized RF stylus. Unlike traditional analog styli, the InPEN contains a programmable microcontroller that broadcasts a unique identifier to the tablet, which allows multiple pens to be linked to the system. InPlay is touting several uses for the tech, such as simultaneous editing (each user gets a different color ink), change tracking, and device security, but the company hasn't explained if the system extends the current Windows Tablet Edition digitizer or totally replaces it. We're also curious to know what happens when the stylus battery dies -- can you still use your finger? We probably won't get any answers for a while, as InPlay says it's still shopping the tech to tablet manufacturers.
Filed under: Tablet PCs
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Aaron @ May 17th 2007 10:09AM
not for those of us who use our tablets to draw.
Sc10 @ May 17th 2007 5:57AM
@Kevin; Agreed.
Aaron @ May 17th 2007 10:09AM
Batteries in the stylus? So this company is coming out with a product that is way less capable than what Wacom has been delivering for years? Good thinkin...
Wacom's have supported unique pen IDs since they started.