The iPad has a lot of great features going for it. Not only has it revolutionized tablets, of course, but the entire world of computing in general, and with its new Retina display things have never looked better. However, despite all of its great features, one thing has gone sorely missing.... a really good pen input system.
Yes, I know that there is already a growing list of companies that are willing to sell you some type of pen or stylus for the iPad, but none of them seam particularly all that great or as natural as using a traditional pen on paper. Fortunately, that may be all about to change as you can see in the video below from a new KickStarter developer and their new pen input device known as Collusion.
I don't know about you, my dear two-or-three readers, but this thing looks amazing, absolutely amazing. Combining both software and hardware, Collusion gives you the ability to not only sign your name to documents, or annotate things, but also allows high-precision free-hand style drawing and this is just what this old fart has been looking for. Some of the benefits of Collusion's system, in the words of its Australian developers are:
High Precision Writing and Drawing.
Yep – dedicated hardware to do the job right - because capacitive styli on finger focused multi-touch is like driving a crayon. A solution for adults is a better way to go. The result: the best available experience for writing and drawing on the iPad. Period.
Yep – dedicated hardware to do the job right - because capacitive styli on finger focused multi-touch is like driving a crayon. A solution for adults is a better way to go. The result: the best available experience for writing and drawing on the iPad. Period.
Real Palm Rejection… Really!
Being able to rest your hand on an iPad to draw and write – is a fundamental problem to solve for any serious writing and drawing solution. We’ve not seen a solution we like, or one than makes any sense in terms of remotely elegant usability (ie blocking touch input from 2/3rds of the screen, or being forced to switch between drawing mode and touch control mode – these approaches are just plain hacky). It’s also a tricky problem, we like tricky problems. We can do better – and we have.
Being able to rest your hand on an iPad to draw and write – is a fundamental problem to solve for any serious writing and drawing solution. We’ve not seen a solution we like, or one than makes any sense in terms of remotely elegant usability (ie blocking touch input from 2/3rds of the screen, or being forced to switch between drawing mode and touch control mode – these approaches are just plain hacky). It’s also a tricky problem, we like tricky problems. We can do better – and we have.
Real-time Collaboration.
A major innovation for the iPad – think of it as google docs for pens – free-form, cloud-based, real-time collaboration… very cool, and incredibly useful.
A major innovation for the iPad – think of it as google docs for pens – free-form, cloud-based, real-time collaboration… very cool, and incredibly useful.
With rumors suggesting that Siri for the iPad is coming soon in iOS 6, and that Microsoft is readying a version of its Office for the iPad, and the fact that the iPad may even be a better and cheaper deal for most business's, as well as the iPad being consistently the most satisfying and most sought after tablet for personal use ever, Collusion is only going to make it, the iPad, an even more compelling choice whether it be for business or personal use.
When it comes to pen input, Collusion looks to be the most compelling system offered for the iPad yet, and one that the Sydney Morning Herald described as being: "The pen that revolutionises your iPad". As this great newspaper also pointed out: "Collusion ...... turns the iPad into a useful productivity device for business and education, rather than for just entertainment. It includes a high precision pen and storage of files in the cloud, similar to Google Docs, allowing for real-time collaboration."
All I will add to that, in conclusion is: Amen brother!
And that's my 2 cents 4 this rather dreary, wet and miserable Wednesday, June 06, 2012
Source: smh.com.au
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