Digitizer specialists Wacom and e-paper manufacturers E Ink have announced a deal that will see the former’s digital ink technology incorporated into the latter’s low-power, paper-like electronic displays. It will open up the market for eBooks and newspapers that can be annotated and those notes stored and exchanged. The pair are describing the development as “the ultimate vision of an interactive piece of paper.”
It has a 12.1” LCD panel and can be used as a second monitor and a tablet at the same time. You can set it on the desk and use it, or you can hold it in your arms to work if you prefer since it weighs a mere 1.8kg.
Not only is it a digital pen that records what you write, but it has Bluetooth, for what purpose I don’t know, unless it works with N-Series phones for sending handwritten notes, it probably doesn’t, but that would be cool. It has 1.3MB of on board storage, and then the Bluetooth is likely so its possible to wirelessly offload that storage or maybe so you can use it like a Wacom tablet.
The greatest pen interactive display manufacturer is back with a new Cintiq family – Cintiq 20WSX. Wacom announces a mammoth 20.1″ widescreen LCD (WSXGA+ 1680×1050 resolution) desktop pen display. The 20WSX is cordless and battery-free. It accepts Hd15 VGA as well as DVI-A input. Aspect ratio is 16:10 and priced at $1,999, a healthy $500 drop compare to the last 4:3 model, 21UX. Both the finger-sensitive Touch Strip and ExpressKeys are programmable and cleverly designed for accessibility.
Cintiq 20WSX [via Wacom]
As any graphic designer (or Tablet PC owner, for that matter) will tell you, when it comes to digital pen technology you’ll always get fine results going to Wacom. Up until now, however, your choice has been shepherded into one of two different product types: those with a sturdy desk and a desire to see what they’re drawing on can pick from the Cintiq range of touch-sensitive displays, while those who want something more compact and, dare I say, lap-friendly can choose from the numerous ranges of graphics tablets (such as the latest Bamboo or Intuos3). Wacom are blurring that division, now, however, with the introduction of the baby in the Cintiq range: the compact 12WX.
The new Intuos3 Special Edition tablets aren’t the only one’s being rolled out for the big 25th anniversary of Wacom. They’re updating their line of Graphire tablets as well.
If you’re serious about electronic art, Wacom will happily reassure you, you’ll have a Cintiq display. For years now the drool-inducing mega-displays have woo’d artists and handwriting lovers alike, inciting as much awe over the specs as horror at the ultra-heavy price tag. So what about the serious artists who are also poor? Well, Wacom have decided to throw them a bone too, with the introduction of the PL-521.
Axiotron and OWC have teamed up to produce a tablet that uses Mac OS X. The "ModBook" will use technology from WACOM that allows you to take advantage of the Inkwell technology inside of Mac OS X. No pictures of it have been released as of yet.
GPS will also be included, with the SiRFstar 3 chipset. This thing will cost a lot of money! Mac tablets have been created before by other companies, but cost a lot of money, and were only done on a custom basis. This is the first time that a tablet will be mass-produced that has OS X on it. It is going to be released at Macworld on the 9th, so stayed tuned, as we have live coerage as it unfolds!
ModBook Press Release [Via: Axiotron]
It was the Barenaked Ladies who sang about Manga classic Sailor Moon “the cartoon has got the boom anime babes who make me think the wrong thing”, and I’d like to imagine that graphics tablet-masters Wacom had them in mind when putting together their limited edition Favo Comic Pack.
A set containing a white Graphire4 A6-sized pen tablet, software such as Manga Studio Debut 3.0 and Corel Painter Essentials2, and online resources such as downloadable project files, it’s available in European markets for £74.99 ($142.62).
Wacom press release [via UberGizmo]
If you’re serious about art and you use a computer then it’s pretty likely that you’ll have come across some Wacom hardware before now. They’re famous in their industry for precision and ease of use, with cordless, battery-free pens offering 1,024 levels of pressure sensitivity, various programmable buttons and touch-strips around the bezel, and a variety of sizes to suit different needs and budgets.