Dear Aunt TUAW: Help me find a pointy iPad stylus

Dear Aunty TUAW,

I just bought an iPad and I want a stylus for taking notes, but every stylus I see online has a tip that's as blunt as a piece of chalk.

Why aren't there any pointy-tip capacitive styli available?

Your friend,

Dear R,

Pointy styluses (stylii?) are a no-go because they don't provide enough contact with the screen. Google tells Auntie that your fingers register on capacitive screens because they distort the screen's electrostatic field. A pointy stylus with such a small tip does not.

Some hard round-tipped styluses, like this one from Targus, provide a pretty good compromise between the need for contact and the desire for accuracy. And if you'd rather not get all up-close-and-fingerprinty with your iPad, there's always the frozen hotdog option.

Aunt TUAW contacted Matt Geyster, the guy behind the Artistree kickstarter project, whose stylus looks pretty pointy. This is a pre-production project, and Auntie was not able to test the prototypes. Geyster said, "Yes it is true there is a certain size that works best," but added that "We have used our small tip with no problems."

Auntie is a bit concerned that the close-to-the-tip grip used in the demo video was less of a comfort issue than one of bringing larger quantities of salty water (i.e., the user's hand) closer to the screen. Geyster added, "If during testing I need to go a little wider with the fine tip to get better feel and response, then I will."

The people who are looking for fine stylus control because they want pinpoint accuracy when drawing on their iPads are met with a sad fact: the iPad really isn't the device for that kind of interaction. And it's not just about pinpoint. There are also control issues, like pressure, sensitivity and angle detection. Those features are just not iPad practical.

Hugs,

Auntie T.

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Source: http://tuaw.com/tag/aunttuaw

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Accessories iPad

Dear Aunty TUAW, I just bought an iPad and I want a stylus for taking notes, but every stylus I see online has a tip that's as blunt...

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wheresjimmy

How do you write Aunt TUAW a letter? I can't find a webpage or an email address. Thanks.

June 23 2011 at 9:09 PM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down Reply

Ben

I've been using a Hammerhead stylus for awhile and love it. The one I have has a rounded tip which might be what you're after, but it also looks like their retractable stylus has a more precise pointed tip. I use mine primarily with the SketchBook Pro and Bamboo Paper apps on my iPad–definitely pretty accurate!
http://hammerheadcase.com/accessories/stylus.php

June 23 2011 at 5:06 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Geoffito

I have just received my Bamboo stylus for iPad, and I can sadly say I am very disappointed with it.
The reason the tip is 25% smaller than others on the market is because the tip is not made of a hard rubber that would expect, it has a small balloon tip and when pressed against the screen it spreads out. This makes it very difficult to write with.

As for good writing apps I find Noteshelf and UPAD Very good but wish I could find a nice stylus to use with them.

June 23 2011 at 3:37 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

diskgrinder

So what 's the best fat finger stylus? That big felt marker one looked good.

Also, with the zoom on most art apps, the accuracy thing becomes less of an issue

June 23 2011 at 3:24 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

bronzit1

I use/am happy with a Pogo Sketch. I got it @ Fry's Electronics on sale, in the burnt orange color for $7.99 (YMMV). Shop around. It is even available @ your local Apple Store, but you have to ask for it as they keep it in back... & they charge much more for it. Mine has the earlier black metal clip. It is ~ the diameter of a wooden pencil & has a capacitive reacting sponge tip. It is ~4" in length.

IHTH?

June 23 2011 at 3:02 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Kerk Korpil

I've been thinking about the Bamboo stylus... but... I'm wondering if the Crayola stylus will work outside the app, might as well hit two birds with a stone!

June 23 2011 at 2:35 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

King

consider making your own. http://tumblr.kinglau.co/post/6442455519/ipadstylusdiy

June 23 2011 at 2:20 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

colin

Wacom has just released the iPad Bamboo Stylus which is supposed to have a head which is 25% smaller than other styluses. I've been trying to get my hands on one but haven't managed to find a store with one in stock yet. Given Wacom's history with tablet devices I'm curious to see how it improves over other tools I've used. I've also started using Wacom's new paper app over Penultimate and find that it's better and more responsive for taking notes.

And no, I don't work for Wacom....I've just been looking for a good writing solution on the iPad just like this poster.

June 23 2011 at 2:09 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Stephen Adams

Out of all the styluses I've played with, my favorite so far is the Wacom Bamboo iPad Stylus. It's a bit smaller than the others on the point. (Still "big," though. I think it's 6 mm instead of the standard 8 mm?) But it really is the best feeling stylus I've used. I like it better than the Alupen from Just Mobile, and that was my favorite before the Wacom came in the mail.

June 23 2011 at 2:05 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply