Got an iPad? Get a styIus (Part 1)
Using a stylus with an iPad
can enhance productivity and precision. We looked at nine of the best
By Nick Spence
If you do anything for any
length of time on iPad, iPhone or iPod touch, you really should consider
getting a stylus. The sheer numbers of styluses has increased dramatically
recently, thanks to the popularity of Apple’s handheld devices, with a range of
styles and prices to suit all. Those choices Fall into two categories: those
that offer the look and Feel of a traditional pen. And those that aim to be
something a little different.
As well as reducing the
potential for repetitive strain injury (RSI), a stylus offers numerous
practical, creative and Fun advantages. Work, gaming and creative activities on
Apple’s IOS devices can all potentially be enhanced by the use of a stylus. The
9.7 in diagonal iPad screen particularly benefits, simply because the larger
display offers greater room to work and play.
While Apple has yet to
introduce the kind of pressure sensitivity found in Wacom-style graphic
tablets, the iPad still makes a Fair digital easel. The Internet offers a
seemingly endless gallery of great and varied artwork produced on an iPad, and
we suspect much of it is created using a stylus. Here, then is a selection of
styluses, primarily aimed at iPad users, that have passed through our hands in
the past few months, all of which are worth a look.
iChic
Gear Calligrapher
company iChic
Gear www.ichicgear.com Price $25
The iChic Gear Calligrapher
pen Is one of a small number of dual-Function [Pad-compatible styluses.
Available in two styles Geneva and Zemiatt- the Calligrapher is both iPad
stylus and traditional pen in one.
The pen is a decent-quality
device should you still have the need to write. The iPad end is il.con and
springy to the touch, and looks like a traditional pencil rubber. The idea is
to flip from ink o iPad and back again effortlessly, sod to some extent it
works.
But the Calligrapher
doesn’t perform particularly well as an iPad drawing tool especially if you
include the pen cap, which makes it feel bulky and heavy when working with your
iPad. We also believe calling the pen the Calligrapher is a little misleading,
as anything but simple writing requires more than a ballpoint-style pen. For
added value, the Calligrapher comes with two spare pen refills, although these
are buried in the packaging in such a way that they could easily be missed and
thrown away.
The Calligrapher is a nice
idea which works well enough but Feels like a compromise between owning a pen
and an IPad stylus. While it means one less accessory on your travels, only
time will tell if it’s a combination of new and old that will attract users and
enjoy success in an already crowded marketplace.
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The Skinny
Likes: stylish,
attractive traditional pen; dual purpose should appeal to multi-tasking
users; pen refills supplied as standard
Dislikes: We’re
unconvinced this combination Es great market; not the most responsive
iPadstytus a little heavy with pen cap attached; somewhat misleadingly named.
Rating 3 stars
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Ichic
gear Phantomus
company iChic
Gear www.ichicgear.com Price $15
Available in
boy-friendly blue or girl-Friendly pink, iChic Gear’s Phantomus comes with a
one-eyed, smiley ghost head, which is detachable and can be used to protect the
soft rubberised nib when not in use. iChic claims it has the weight.
Shape and Feel of a typical Felt-tip pen, so will be Familiar to any child new
to using an iPad and stylus.
The Phantomus has a smooth,
straight barrel, which is quite comfortable to use despite the Lack of a padded
grip. The nib, while a touch too soft for our tastes, has a nice bounce and
responds pretty well-it’s a good choice for digital drawing and painting. The
Phantomus also works line as a gaming stylus. The slim line design doesn’t
distract from or obscure gameplay. Build is okay: the rubberised tip is secure
and the slimline body fairly solid, which is important when you consider how
easily children’s toys can be broken when your back turns.
The Phantomus is one
novelty Pad stylus that isn’t lit for the bin after a day or two of play. While
its limited to the young, the reasonably priced, Fairly solidly built Phantomus
isn’t a bad choice For just about anyone.
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The skinny
Likes: Performs well;
reasonably priced: decent build quality: novelty design should appeal to the
target audience
Dislikes: Rubberised
nib Feels a little too soft; barrel has no give or padding; looks may
restrict users to just the young
Rating 3 stars
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incipio
Inscribe Stylus
Company Incipio
www.incipio.com Price $14.99
Incipio has a decent track
record for producing quality iOS accessories, and the Inscribe doesn’t
disappoint. Shorter than your typical pen, this stylus is a simple and
effective combination oF smooth black barrel and rubberised tip. The tip is
described as “omni-directional” by the makers, which all rubberised tips appear
to be. It simply means the Inscribe can be used from any position or angle to
produce a consistent mark.
The stylus produced good
results in a range of iPad activities, including note taking. game playing,
drawing and painting. The tip, while bouncy, doesn’t have so much give that
it’s unresponsive or lacks control. The tip is kept in place by a small silver
ring, which adds to the solid feel. As it’s not uncommon to lose a pen or two
around the home or office, the Inscribe comes with a secure but neat integrated
clip for your shirt pocket, bag or iPad carry case.
It’s also worth mentioning
that the Inscribe works equally well with iPhone and iPod touch, and its neat
size makes for an ideal travel partner tp Apple ISO device.
This is a simple,
no-nonsense iPad stylus that has a good Feel and build and produces consistent
results on all Apple handheld devices. While not the most striking of iOS
styluses, the Inscribe is a good an-rounder, for both work and play options.
The skinny
Likes: Good, consistent
results; works well with all lOS devices; solid and compact build; nice
integrated clip
Dislikes: Lack of give
in stylus barrel may become an issue over extended use: riot the most stylish
stylus
