Microsoft has been hawking pen-based tablets since 1991, when it first launched Windows for Pen Computing, a version of Windows with a pen interface layer. In 2002, the company introduced Windows XP Tablet PC Edition.
Although the Tablet PC has won a few fans over the years, Microsoft’s whole pen initiative didn’t succeed like Bill Gates always wanted it to. In fact, Microsoft’s approach to pen tablets is very much a product of Gates’ personal vision for how mobile computers should work. He’s always envisioned tablets that use a combination of handwriting recognition and voice recognition to replace the functionality of the keyboard and mouse.
The strength of Microsoft’s belief in this vision is pretty astounding, enabling the company to continue to support and promote the idea for 20 years without ever having what you might call a runaway success.
Gates was right about one thing: The functionality of keyboard and mouse would be replaced on tablets in a big way. And that’s starting to happen, thanks mainly to the iPad.
He was also right about predicting the widespread use of pens or styli on tablets. No, really!
The idea of using a pen with a tablet is strongly associated with Microsoft and its unappealing Tablet PC platform.
Pen-based tablet computing will also become associated with Android, as new pen-aware Android tablets like the HTC Flyer come on the market, appearing to offer an alternative to the iPad’s supposed touch-only input.
Diehard fans of the Tablet PC platform find the popularity of the iPad confusing, and they don’t see the appeal. To them, an iPad is simply an underpowered tablet with clumsy finger input, rather than highly controlled stylus control. Plus, iPads run only what they see as dumbed down applications, and lack necessary features like USB ports.
Meanwhile, many iPad fans zero in on the use of a Pen as the main reason why Tablet PCs are flawed, saying that nobody wants to use a stylus and that touch input is the key to a successful tablet platform.
Both are wrong.
Why Tablet PC Fans Are Wrong About the iPad
An iPad is not an underpowered Tablet PC. Despite superficial similarity, they are totally different creatures with almost nothing in common.
I cringe whenever analysts lump Tablet PCs and iPads into the same product category. They are as different from each other as the Apple II is to the iMac.
Tablet PCs are second-generation interface Windows PCs, in the same general category as the Mac, Windows XP, the iMac and Windows 7 PCs. All these systems share the same basic approach to user interface, which is that they’re optimized for keyboard and external input devices, lean heavily on the files-and-folders metaphor, require extensive menus, utilities, maintenance and management.
If you read that last paragraph carefully, you can see the core of why Tablet PCs fail. The Tablet PC sports a user interface optimized for keyboards and external input devices, yet its use as a pen computer uses neither.
iPads, of course, are third-generation MPG (multi-touch, physics and gestures) devices, in the same category as Microsoft’s Surface tablet, Windows 8’s Metro UI (but not the OS or hardware that it will initially run on), the iPhone, Android devices and HP’s upcoming TouchPad tablet.
Unlike Tablet PCs, which are just PCs with a pen interface, iPads are appliances designed from the ground up for zero maintenance, file management and zero requirement for utilities.
So Tablet PC fans are wrong: The iPad isn’t an underpowered Tablet PC. It’s not a PC at all. In the appliance world, the iPad’s low-power processor and, say, lack of USB ports and file management are features, not flaws.
Why iPad Fans Are Wrong About Pen
And now we get to the whole point of this post. Legions of iPad fans wrongly associate the use of pen with Microsoft’s failed model for tablets.
There’s nothing wrong or bad or inherently flawed about using a stylus on a tablet. In fact, the ability to operate with a pen is the least problematic feature of the Tablet PC. That it required a pen to be used in tablet mode, that it was built on regular Windows, that it required battery-draining chips to just boot — these are major flaws. But not pen support.
If I had to choose between touch and pen, I would definitely choose touch. But I don’t have to choose. The iPad is an MPG appliance that also supports pens. And that’s a good thing.
To see how cool and useful it can be to use a stylus on an iPad, check out this “commercial” for a new iPad product called Scribbly.
The video shows a user circling paragraphs and annotating the margins, making a to-do list, using a virtual highlighter pen to select text — these are normal, everyday things people do with paper that are appealing and useful on a tablet and cannot be easily done with a finger.
Another stylus for the iPad, coming out later this month and aimed at the education market, is more of a pen and less of a “Magic Marker.” Called Doceri GoodPoint, the pen works with an app that rejects non-pen input when the pen is in use. That enables your hand to rest on the screen as you write, just as you would with paper. It even has an “eraser” on the top of the pen, just like a pencil does.
A product called the Nomad Brush is designed to simulate a paintbrush, and actually has a brush on the end.
Another project, still in the works, puts an iPad stylus on the end of a Sharpie pen, replacing the cap.
There is also a range of pens from Griffin, Ten One Design and a huge variety of cheap Chinese no-name styli.
I think pens like these will become much more popular. And they should. As new applications emerge that work better with pens, and as interesting new pen products hit the market, I think a lot of people will embrace them.
Meanwhile, Microsoft is pushing its Metro UI on phones, tablets and Windows 8.
As tablets running platforms from Microsoft, Google, HP, RIM and others emulate the iPad and ship real MPG interfaces optimized for touch, they’ll also support pens, just like the iPad will.
In a few years, everyone will forget about the Microsoft-is-for-pens, Apple-is-for-touch dichotomy that exists right now in the public perception of how their platforms differ, and as an erroneous explanation for why the one has failed and the other has succeeded.
So you might as well forget it now, rather than waiting for later. All next-generation tablets, including the iPad, will support both touch and pen (and voice recognition and more). On the iPad, pen use will begin on the periphery (students, doctors, lawyers, home cooks, artists) and gradually seep into the mainstream.
Yes: the Tablet PC sucks, and the iPad is great. But pen input has nothing to do with it.
70 responses to “Why the iPad is a Pen-Based Tablet”
I agree that the iPad will eventually get a stylus and that eventually, no one will remember the early days (that we are living through), when it didn’t.
On the other hand, the capacitive styluses you mention that are currently available for the iPad are not really styluses IMO, they are “artificial fingers” for lack of a better term. What’s needed is to separate the finger input from the pen input. That means a *non-capacitive* stylus with a separate digitising layer, which is the exact opposite of everything being marketed today.
I’ve already used all the ones I’ve heard about that are available to buy, and none of them work any better than a finger. As long as they are capacitive styluses that use the same digitiser, it’s actually impossible that they *could* be better than a finger if you think about it.
Which pen is the one in the picture. Looks like its more accurate than the others I have seen.
People who complain about a lack of USB drives in the iPad will have nothing to complain about if they own an Apple computer once iCloud launches. Considering many Fortune 500 companies are replacing their dying Dell computers with Apple computers is another beautiful aspect to the cloud. Pretty soon all your appointments and daily reminders will be synced “USB FREE”. I would love to not have to carry around a stupid dongle any more.
Unfortunately, some people are just less evolved and fight change. I embrace it when it makes my life easier. That’s why I have banned Windows PC from my home. They suck, crash and are ultimately very frustrating.
it’s the scribbly from the ad. BTW, I wonder how many people will mistake a whiteboard marker as their iPad pen haha :D
Very interesting Mike. Thanks.
I would reserve styli mainly for doing handwriting on a tablet or accurate work, like drawing, where you need a finer point rather than a finger. I’ve yet to see one that does the job, but I haven’t given up hope. Although, I have to say the MORE/REAL looks quite good, the way it slots on top of a normal pen.
I use a stylus with my iPad depending on the app that I am using and I like it quite a bit. I just hope a stylus never becomes a required item because I know I will loathe it and lose it the moment I pick up a new iPad.
Good article BTW
I like the concept of having a stylus with the iPad – for artwork production or note taking, but the current crop are not really good enough. If I want to use a stylus as a Brush it has to be able to give a size change or pressure change notification to the device – think Graphics Tablet, else it is just a finger tip :(
Looking forward to the next step in this field – someday!
I don’t think the stylus will ever be more than a niche accessory on an iPad. Seems to me people use real pens and pencils less and less each day. Schools are already dumping cursive from the classroom…
Most of my pen/pencil use is either with a sketchpad, or with my Wacom tablet inside CS5. Instead, I type emails, type grocery lists (GroceryIQ app), text notes and reminders to others, and type personal/professional notes and reminders.
I think the majority of people looking for a stylus are creatives looking to draw with more precision than their finger allows. I think those looking to write out notes are in the minority. Typing is, for most these days, faster and easier than writing (in my opinion).
I love my iPad2, but i would love this device more when that day comes were I can use a fine point stylus pen to do some detailed illustrations, like the Ten One Design’s concept.
For now, I consider my iPad2 just a Big iPod Touch. If I don get the feature I want, I’ll probably wont upgrade to iPad3.
I’ve been using a Pogo product ever since I took delivery of my iPad a year ago. I sue it for note taking, sketching, and a few other apps.
This is an excellent article. IMHO the killer application for the iPad is Handwriting. Once we can do this to some degree of reliability, I think we will move towards a paperless society. I have so many notebooks filled with data that I could use only if I could find the right notebook and the page. With an iPad it will be a breeze. I hope this happens FAST.
For decades I’ve gone through endless pads of ruled paper, taking notes in meetings, designing software processes, explaining things with flowchart sketches, and so forth. It’s always on a yellow pad. It’s part of how I think.
Personally, I can’t do this with a keyboard. However, the stylus/iPad combination works amazingly well. And, the notes are much easier to store, to organize, and to share.
Does this make the iPad a pen-based tablet?
Does watching a movie on your iPad make it a television?
Does it matter what we call it?
I agree for the most part, although I wouldn’t use the word “niche” as I think it’s more of a 20-30% figure that would use them if they were available.
I do a lot of drawing and also use Wacom tablets, so that’s me your describing when you talk about the market. For those of us that draw a lot, enabling a stylus so we can ditch paper and pencils and ink altogether would be appreciated.
My major disappointment with the iPad so far is that it can replace everything *except* a pencil and paper. Until I can draw on the iPad, I have to carry around art supplies in my bag or even a separate bag. It would be nice not to have to though, and I think probably within the next five years or so, it will happen.
You shold take a look at the Wacom stylus. Seems an interesting object……
Yes it does, because if I call my iPad “lunch” my wife might put it in the microwave.
I think you hit it on the head. I use my iPad for 95% of everything I do while mobile, except note taking. I even considered getting an HTC Flyer just for the ability to rest my hand on the glass as I write something. It’s android, ugly as hell and a pain in the ass but it does what I need for that last 5%.
Why Apple can’t do the same thing is beyond me!
Whoa why would you sue it because of that?
Bad post, wish I could downvote this
The Wintards and Droidtards are always complaining about lack of USB ports on the iPad. They have to play with their files via sneaker-net. When Apple starts using AirDrop that should just about eliminate the need for USB ports on iOS devices. At home I usually use WiFi sharing to move files about from machine to machine. With the limited storage size of an iPad, I honestly don’t see why a USB port is necessary. I guess everyone is entitled to their own needs and if one really needs USB ports on a tablet, then I guess they should just buy a non-Apple tablet. I wonder how businesses are managing with using iPads if USB ports are so necessary.
Ainkor,
Look into the Penultimate app. It has a setting that allows you to rest your wrist on the glass while writing or drawing. It may be what you’re looking for.
Mark
This feature also exists in Noteshelf, Note Taker HD, and UPAD.
Obviously written on an iPad with autocorrupt switched on!
i disagree. THe ipad will never be a stylus focused item. The point with the iphone etc is that you don’t need a stylus. You can use one if you wish but you don’t NEED it. Just like you can use a physical keyboard if you wish, but you don’t need it.
Styli ARE avaiable. People can use them if they want.
Just because you feel it is a required tool FOR YOUR USE doesn’t make that need universal. Just because you are too cheap to buy one doesn’t make it required to put one in the box as if it is required.
Wow, you really didn’t read anything he wrote, did you?
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Tough crowd. I “use” it for note taking, sketching, and a few other apps. And Naga, I wrote the comment on a MacBook Pro using a standard keyboard. I’m sorry for my transgressions and ask that you forgive me and my fat fingers.
USB isn’t just for file storage. If it was, SD cards would be fine instead (if you could use those). USB is for keyboard, mouse, printer, camera, TV receiver, game controller, disability aids, any peripheral that someone wants to invent. It’s for using your device the way that you want: just like non-approved software is, too.
iOS products have something going for them, clearly, they sell like crazy, but the iPad is a bigger iPhone that doesn’t make calls. It’s a personal computer for people who are resistant to having a personal computer, a games console for people embarrassed to buy a games console, it’s something different: and less capable, even if it is also a step into new user-interface concepts (and will never be allowed to run a version of the Fitaly on-screen keyboard). But if it’s all that you want to have a computer do for you, that’s totally fine.
Interesting how the UI and Apps are replacing almost every one of those USB peripherals mentioned in your list.
e.stylo is also worth mentioning: http://plai.tv/section_estylo
Did you ever try a Newton (from Apple) ?
Doesn’t look like it from reading your piece. Otherwise, you would not agree with the iPad being usable with a stylus. It doesn’t come close compared to Newton!
Excellent article – the reasoning you outline is an incredible match for new stylus technology that Apple’s working on, which I reported in February 2011 and summarize here: http://goo.gl/9aOIp
To evaluate and judge a mass product is a very relative matter. The process evolves in the course of time and matures like wine, provided that the product remains mainstream and evolves. Whether a tablet or moreover the iPad “#x” has potential or not is not to be judged today. It remains to be seen in the months and years to come. However, it would be a folly to argue that the iPad is “not this” and “can not do that” simply because at this point of time it does not satisy anyone’s whim or expectation. Truly, is there anyone, open minded as should be, who does not deduce the potential and foresee the capabilities? Isn’t the trend obvious, right from the very early days of the product release? We ought to take it for granted, the tablets will be the future computer device and in particular the iPad, as much competition as it may face, will be the mainstream product in the months and years to come, at an extent when it will, at some point of time, replace any current computing devices which APPLE sustain in their range of products to date. It is how things evolve; it is natural; it can not be avoided; it should not be avoided or hindered; it will be sooooooo cool; deep down we all wish for it; we will truly enjoy it. Here is to the future, closing in fast.
You omit to say that pens do work with Ipad if and only if they simulate touch. This is why there are no thin point pens for ipad: this is due to digitizer that is good for touch but not for (thin) pen input. Now ipad’s writing applications may lead you think that you can write even in small characters (by small I mean: not just 5 words a page as you could do with a finger). Actually they usually make you choose to edit either directly on the screen or to a magnified piece of the screen: in this way any word you write is big but becomes normal as soon as the application places it in the right place. So the writing experience is not direct as if you had a true pad. Instead some recent windows 7 tablets have an active capacitive digitizer taht allows both touch and poen (real pen input with a thin pen, so you can write as if it was a notepad, even directly very small characters)
Solution to sketching problems on iPad: the Estylo stylus from Plai.
I have reviewed this stylus on about.com.Just search for”Estylo”in the search box of About.com and you will find results list containing web links to my review!