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Wacom unveils pressure-sensitive Intuos Creative Stylus for iPad
Wacom has unveiled the Intuos Creative Stylus for iPad. The stylus is a pressure sensitive device with 2,048 levels of sensitivity that Wacom says is as close to the experience of pen on paper as anyone has gotten on the iPad yet. A nice feature about the stylus is that, since it uses Bluetooth 4.0, Wacom could build in "palm rejection." That means that touch input with a large surface area won't register when you are using the stylus, so you can hold the iPad comfortably without messing up your drawings. The Intuos Creative Stylus works with the iPad 3, fourth-generation iPad and the iPad mini. It's built to work with Wacom's Bamboo Paper app, but plenty of third-party apps also support the stylus, including SketchBook Pro, ArtRage (by Ambient Design), ProCreate and Psykopaint. The Intuos Creative Stylus goes on sale in October for US$99.
Wacom's Cintiq Companion tablets offer mobile pen display chops for Android and Windows 8 starting at $1499
Back in March, Wacom teased a standalone tablet for the graphics-minded set. In the meantime, the outfit released the Cintiq 13HD: a slate-size pen display that nailed down the compact end of its Cintiq line, but must remain tethered to a desktop or laptop for use. Now, the peripheral company has officially taken the wraps off of the Cintiq Companion and Cintiq Companion Hybrid. Both units wield similar aesthetics to the 13HD and house a 13.3-inch TFT LCD display with 1,920 x 1,080 resolution serving up a 700:1 contrast ratio and 16.7 million colors -- that's 75% of the Adobe RGB gamut. As you might expect, the trusty ExpressKeys, Rocker Ring, customizable controls and multitouch gestures are all here alongside the Pro Pen, its 2,048 levels of pressure sensitivity and an adjustable stand. The main difference between the two? The Companion sports either Windows 8 or Window 8 Pro while the Companion Hybrid runs Android 4.2 Jelly Bean. The Cintiq Companion packs a third-gen Intel Core i-7 processor, 8GB RAM, Intel HD Graphics 4000 GPU and SSD storage. Selecting Windows 8 will nab you 256GB of space while opting for Windows 8 Pro bumps that capacity up to 512GB with price tags of $1,999 and $2,499 respectively. As for the Android version, it features both a NVIDIA GPU and quad-core Tegra 4 processor, 2GB RAM and HDMI input with 16GB and 32GB options. The former will dock your wallet for $1,499 while the latter clocks in at $1,599. MicroSD slots are included on the entire lot, should the need arise to wrangle a memory card or two. Across the board you'll also encounter a 8-megapixel rear camera, 2-megapixel front-facing shooter, WiFi and Bluetooth. Cintiq Companion Hybrid units will arrive mid-September and Cintiq Companion models will hit shelves in October, but the whole family is up for pre-order now. In the meantime, you can catch all of the details on both in the PR that resides after the break,
Wacom outs Intuos Creative Stylus with revamped Bamboo Paper app in tow for iPad sketching
If you're the type to digitally doodle on the slate that you already own rather opt for a professional-grade unit, Wacom just announced its latest accessory for doing just that. The Intuos Creative Stylus works in tandem with iPads for "a realistic pen-on-paper feel" for tablet-style drawing and painting with 2,048 levels of pressure sensitivity alongside Bluethooth 4.0 and shortcut buttons. The brushed aluminum-clad device comes in black and blue color options with a case, spare nibs and a replacement battery all while resembling Wacom's Pro Pen more than previous Bamboo offerings. A new version of the company's Bamboo Paper app has been retooled for the peripheral that was designed for use on both third and fourth-generation iPads and the iPad mini. More specifically, version 2.0 of the software tacks on Tumblr and Dropbox sharing, premium notebooks, enhanced palm rejection, new tool collections and expanded color palettes. If all of that sounds too good to pass up, the stylus will hit Best Buy stores at the beginning of October with a $99 price tag and the free Bamboo Paper app is now available via iTunes.
Toshiba Excite Write review
It's a tricky thing to name your devices after a verb. And when we say "tricky," we mean ill-advised. That Toshiba could willfully overlook Excite as a magnet for terrible (and terribly negative) puns speaks to its distance from the tablet category (remember the Thrive?). Yet, here we have another generation of Excite tablets and this, the Excite Write, is the line's top-shelf offering. Its Wacom digitizer and included stylus mean this tablet can go toe to toe with the Note 10.1; both have the same screen size and 1,024 degrees of pressure sensitivity. But where Samsung's outsized Note skimped on the HD resolution, Toshiba's gone the opposite direction. Boasting a 2,560 x 1,600 display, a Wacom digitizer, a Tegra 4 heart, 2GB of RAM and Harman Kardon speakers, the Write is a welcome chord change in an otherwise uneventful 10-inch Android fugue. Of course, the catch to all of this premium goodness is a premium price: $600 in this case. You still there? %Gallery-195572%
Wacom Cintiq 13HD review: a space-saving pen display for designers
When Wacom teased a tablet-sized device a few months back, our curiosity was immediately piqued. However, the next reveal from the pen-wielding-peripheral company was actually the Cintiq 13HD -- a product more in line with the outfit's existing displays. We guess we'll just have to keep waiting patiently for that truly mobile input device. For now, though, the 13-inch pen display sports that tablet form factor, but remains a dedicated tethered peripheral for artists, designers and photographers. While the device still offers the capable, user-configurable ExpressKeys and mighty Cintiq pen, are the omission of touch gestures and the need to remain wired to your desktop or laptop dealbreakers? Read on to see what we discovered.%Gallery-189988%
Surface Pro driver enables Pen pressure sensitivity in Adobe Photoshop
After a long and awkward delay, there's been some movement in the saga known as "Surface Pro's Pen accessory won't work with the software that could most benefit from it." Microsoft's Panos Panay tweeted yesterday that he had a beta driver from Wacom that had enabled his Pen's pressure sensitivity in Adobe Photoshop. Around the same time, an updated driver ("Enhanced Tablet Driver 7.1.1-12") appeared on Wacom's site, which PocketNow reckons contains the necessary fix. This file may not be final, and there's no specific reference to Microsoft's tablet in its changelog, but it's definitely worth a try at the source link below. Meanwhile, if you're one of the artistic types who's been holding off from buying a Surface Pro until this is resolved, then maybe just stay patient a little longer until more users report back on their progress. We're giving it a go ourselves, and in any case we've been assured by our own contacts at Microsoft that there'll be a happy ending within days.
Wacom outfits the Cintiq 22HD with multi-touch, bumps the price to $2,499
If you've been gazing lovingly at Wacom's 22-inch pen display, the company has tacked on some functionality that may convince you to commit. The outfit has announced the Cintiq 22HD touch: a version of the existing 21.5-inch stylus pal with multi-touch functionality on board. If you'll recall, a similar treatment was given to the Cintiq 24HD after its initial launch sans swipes. The list of additional specs for the 22HD touch still includes a 1920 x 1080 full HD LCD screen, a gamut of 16.7 million colors, 16 configurable ExpressKeys, adjustable stand and that trusty Cintiq pen. Of course, the new tactile treatment runs the cost up $500 -- but if that doesn't deter you, the unit is slated to hit shelves sometime in May.
Wacom unveils crayon-esque Bamboo Stylus mini for tablets and smartphones
Wacom wants to make sure there's no buyer's remorse for those who didn't pop for a pen-equipped device, so it added the Bamboo Stylus mini to its portable touch-pen lineup. It joins the Stylus Feel, Solo, Pocket and Duo, but brings a stubbier 4.7 centimeter (1.85 inch) form factor and strap with a dummy mini-jack plug for terminal pen mis-placers. Despite the whimsical look, Wacom says the body is brass plated, has six colors of soft-touch rubber and nibs that are replaceable with firm or soft touch options. You can color in your order now for $19 at the source.
The Weekly Roundup for 03.18.2013
You might say the week is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workweek, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Weekly Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past seven days -- all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
The Daily Roundup for 03.19.2013
You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours -- all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
Wacom Cintiq 13HD graphics display hands-on (video)
Here's the thing with Wacom's latest Cintiqs: the bigger the display, the more straightforward the buying decision tends to be. The Cintiq 22HD and 24HD dominate at the professional high-end, but, as you get smaller and cheaper, more options come into play -- whether they're non-display tablets like the Intuos5 or complete PCs like Microsoft's Surface Pro (software issues aside). However, if you're looking for full-fledged Cintiq qualities in a smaller package, then this morning's announcement of the $1,000 Cintiq 13HD probably caught your interest. No, it's not the rumored standalone tablet, but our first impression is that it's a lightweight and handy option for serious work. Read on for more.%Gallery-183221%
Wacom announces the Cintiq 13HD: a 13-inch pen display with Pro Pen in tow for $999
Sure, Wacom's Cintiq 24HD is an excellent piece of kit for design pros, but the unit is quite the behemoth and the 22-inch offering still requires a lot of desk space. There's no need to worry about that anymore, though, as the graphics peripheral outfit has outed the Cintiq 13HD: a 13-inch HD pen display with an adjustable stand and a retooled Pro Pen. Much like its larger siblings, the 13HD offers customizable ExpressKeys and Rocker Ring to keep that workflow as efficient as possible. The aforementioned stand can be situated flat or positioned at angles of 22, 35, and 50 degrees for that next Illustrator session. Details are scarce on the full list of improvements for the Pro Pen, but we do know that it sports 2,048 levels of sensitivity and tilt recognition to boot. If all of that sounds too good to resist, these bad boys will start shipping in early April with a price tag of $1,000 or £749.99 (incl. VAT). The full press release and a couple more snapshots await just past the break. %Gallery-183171%
Wacom teases upcoming HD mobile tablet for 'creative uses'
Wacom's dipped its electronic quill in a lot of stylus-enabled tablets, but hasn't yet done what many of its creative pro users would like: build one of its own. It looks like that's about to change as the Bamboo maker has posted a teaser on Facebook saying it'll bring a mobile tablet "this summer" with a pressure-sensitive professional pen, multi-touch capability and an HD display. There are no other details like what OS such a device may boast, but if it offers its own functionality as well -- say, Cintiq-style input on a desktop machine -- then Wacom could be onto a winner. [Thanks, Mark]
The Daily Roundup for 01.31.2013
You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours -- all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
Samsung buys five percent stake in stylus-maker Wacom, strikes manufacturing deal
You don't have to look much further than the millions of Galaxy Notes sold to realize that Samsung is serious about the stylus, but the company's now made that commitment clearer than ever by buying a piece of Wacom. It's not the biggest of investments for a company of Samsung's size, but the $58.9 million it's laid out will give it a five percent voting stake in the company, and a further in with what is one of the world's leading stylus makers. According to Wacom, its share of the global pen tablet market stands at a whopping 85 percent, and its sales of its components for use in smartphones and tablets have nearly doubled from 2011 to 2012. As for where the new cash infusion will be put to use, Wacom says that by March of 2014 the entire net amount raised from the sale of shares will be invested in "product development and manufacturing and supply system enhancements for products to be supplied to Samsung Electronics," adding that it aims to "expand its relationship" with Samsung even further.
Doodle 4 Google 2013 challenges kids to dream big, describe their best day (video)
Google loves inspiring kids to go wild with ideas in its annual Doodle 4 Google competition, and that tradition is carrying on for 2013. This year's just-started drawing exhibition asks American kids to visualize what they imagine would be their best day ever -- no mean feat, as you'll see in the video after the break. The K-12 student who wins on the national level may find all that daydreaming worth the effort, however, as the top prizes are about as grand as they were for 2012. Along with seeing their drawing become the homepage doodle for a day, the top-ranking child gets a $50,000 technology grant for their current school, a $30,000 college scholarship, a Chromebook and a Wacom tablet to foster that now-obvious creative talent. Budding young artists need to get their entries to Google's real or virtual doorsteps by March 22nd; we have a hunch the winner's best day ever will be May 23rd, when millions of searchers will catch a glimpse of that early magnum opus.
Live from the Engadget CES Stage: an interview with Wacom's Scott Rawlings (update: video embedded)
A different sort of tablet than we're used to seeing at show like CES, we're going to be chatting up Wacom's VP of marketing, Scott Rawlings about the company's place in the market. January 10, 2013 6:00 PM EST Check out our full CES 2013 stage schedule here! Update: video embedded
IRL: Wacom Bamboo Splash, Triggertrap Mobile and the iPad 3
Welcome to IRL, an ongoing feature where we talk about the gadgets, apps and toys we're using in real life and take a second look at products that already got the formal review treatment. We've got a mixed bag this week. Billy, who's reviewed a bunch of Wacom products on this site, talks about what it's like to live with the Bamboo Splash pen tablet. James, meanwhile, uses a mobile photography tool to ensure his reflection doesn't show up when he's shooting tablets and such. Rounding out the list, Darren takes a closer look at the iPad's display. He thinks it's alright.
Wacom outs the Bamboo Stylus Feel for adequately equipped devices, ships January 7th from $40
If the regular ol' S-Pen that arrived inside your Galaxy Note 10.1's packaging just isn't cutting it, Wacom is looking lend a hand with its latest offering. The outfit has announced the Bamboo Stylus Feel that touts performance similar to a ball-point pen (or S-Pen) for Windows 8 and Android slates outfitted with the company's "feel IT" pen tech. Of course, this means that these styli make use of electromagnetic signals to interact with devices, differing from their capacitive Bamboo siblings that we've seen. Two options are set to arrive on January 7th with replacement nibs in tow and carrying price tags of $39.95 and $79.95, respectively. The full PR resides just beyond the break should you need a few more particulars before deciding.
Baseline Modbook Pro gets its RAM, storage and screen sensitivity doubled, stays at $3,500
The first batch of Modbook Pros have yet to make their way to owners, but the base model is already getting a spec bump. The Macbook come tablet will have its RAM boosted from 4GB to 8GB and its solid state drive roughly doubled in capacity to 120GB. As for the Wacom pen digitizer on the slab, a total of 1,024 pressure levels will make it twice as sensitive than previously planned. What's the cause for the sudden volley of upgrades? Turns out the folks at Modbook Inc. managed to get a sweeter deal on parts from manufacturers and had the financial wiggle room to include better hardware. One thing that hasn't changed on the Modbook Pro, however, is its price: the tablet will still withdraw $3,500 from pockets. Those who've already pre-ordered one of the devices will get the upgrades at no additional cost when the slates ship later this month. Update: Reader ThorntonArt points out in the comments that the Modbook Pro doesn't sport a touch-sensitive screen, but one that's sensitive to pen input. We've clarified the post.
