A well-connected analyst says Apple is readying a stylus for the upcoming iPad Pro. A pen-shaped pointing device is right up the 12-point-something-inch tablet's street, apparently. That's despite all the famous soundbites from Apple's previous CEO.
Cue: Much inane chatter about Steve Jobs rolling over in his grave.
In IT Blogwatch, bloggers test pen theories.
Your humble blogwatcher curated these bloggy bits for your entertainment.
Katie Marsal can't spel:
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities said numerous stylus-related patents...and his own research lead him to believe [Apple] will launch a stylus in the second quarter of this year to compliment [sic] the 12.9-inch so-called "iPad Pro."
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Kuo believes...the device could give birth to a new breed of applications. ... "We believe that the stylus could improve the experience of users, however, and will likely help Apple develop specific customer groups such as the corporate sector and educational institutions."
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[He] has previously predicted that the iPad Pro would also bring along with it a new flavor of iOS designed to take advantage of the larger display, which could include functionality such as split-screen multitasking. MORE
Simon Rockman lets his fingers do the w[alk|rit]ing:
If true, this would represent a volte face for Apple, which has always derided...any pointing device other than a human finger. ... The report [says] it will be an optional extra. And we all know just how cheap official Apple accessories are.
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[But] it flies in the face of Jobs saying a finger was “the best pointing device in the world”, and...“Who wants a stylus? You have to get ‘em, put ‘em away, you lose ‘em, yuck. Nobody wants a stylus.” MORE
And Ian Paul also runs with that angle:
Jobs didn't like the idea of a stylus for mobile devices, famously decrying, "if you see a stylus, they [the developer] blew it."
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Although Kuo's report is well within the "rumor zone," an Apple-made stylus isn't all that crazy. ... The iPad has always been a popular device for the workplace, where greater amounts of handwriting or drawing may occur. ... A stylus is already a sought-after accessory for the iPad, so why not? MORE
So Sam Byford easily gets the enterprise use-case:
It's easy to see how an officially integrated Apple stylus could help the company and others develop new productivity-focused enterprise apps...like those it's working on with IBM..
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[But] why should we believe anything Kuo says? Well, the analyst has a knack of predicting Apple product features that eventually come to pass. ... At the very least, Kuo's report serves as a reminder that we may well see a larger iPad...this year. MORE
But John Brownlee must return to the cult of Jobs:
If true, Steve Jobs might just roll over in his grave. ... Then again, Steve often contradicted himself when it was convenient.
Here’s the nut of Kuo’s logic. With its bigger screen, the iPad Pro isn’t going to be for casual users. ... Instead, artistic types and creatives will gravitate towards [it]. To appeal to these users even more...Apple will integrate a stylus into the iPad Pro in a more full-featured way than aftermarket solutions.
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He predicts that the iPad Pro will go on sale roughly in the second or third quarter of this year. MORE
Meanwhile, Anna Scantlin gets all misty-eyed for the tech-tools of yesteryear:
Ah, the stylus. The unsung hero of professionals, writers, artists, and those with clumsy fingers. ... Also the preferred tool [for] navigating the small, pressure-sensitive touch screens [of the time].
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The late Steve Jobs is notorious for talking about a lot of things people should never expect to see. ... However, nothing was set in stone as the evolution of Apple products have proved time and time again. ... No videos on the iPod? Videos on the iPod. 3.5-inch iPhone screen forever? Nope.
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I’m surprised that so many people have made a big deal about it...mostly because of what Jobs has stated in the past. But Jobs’ word has never really been...dogma. MORE
You have been reading IT Blogwatch by Richi Jennings, who curates the best bloggy bits, finest forums, and weirdest websites… so you don't have to. Catch the key commentary from around the Web every morning. Hatemail may be directed to @RiCHi or itbw@richi.uk. Opinions expressed may not represent those of Computerworld. Ask your doctor before reading. Your mileage may vary. E&OE.
