Monday, November 8, 2010
Hard Candy Cases Gets It Write: The Candy iPad Stylus and Pen
Posted by Eric Juillerat in "Apple iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad" @ 06:00 AM
Leave it to Hard Candy Cases to get it write - quite literally. Behold the new iPad Stylus (for the iPhone too)! Upon freeing the iPad Stylus from it's packaging you will immediately notice its significance. It exudes a feel of quality workmanship and precision. The weight and balance is pleasing. And upon further inspection you find excellent machining, threading, and even gaskets that all contribute to a well made instrument; an instrument that is uniquely, both a stylus and a pen. And so here begins a tale of two tips...
The stylus tip is brilliant. It is large, rubbery, and very responsive on capacitive touch interfaces. This in contrast to the many similar devices that utilize cheap foam, sticky latex-like, or highly vulcanized tractor tires for their tips. The iPad Stylus tip allows delicate and precise input, even with very small text and buttons. It truly is a delight to use. Oh, and it doesn't leave greasy cheese-pizza-smears all over the screen like my other stylus does...my finger. And that alone is brilliant!
Figure 1: Similar tips pale in comparison
Every coin has two sides, the yin - it's yang, and this stylus is no different. On one side is the touch screen stylus point, and on the other, in stark contrast to it's electronic counterpart, a writing instrument; or as some say, a pen. Cross, Sensa, Rotring, and dare I say the mighty Montblanc Meisterstuck have nothing on this pen. It has a fine point, and glides effortlessly across the page leaving no hint of hiccup or the common fading of the standard ballpoint. How do I know? I actually wrote this review on a piece of paper before posting it here! Yes I am that crazy, and the pen is straight up that good.
Figure 2: Other styli just don't get the point
Hard Candy Cases skillfully proves two heads are better than one. Without hesitation I can comfortably say that this is the best stylus I have ever used. If Steve Jobs had used it prior to the release of the iPad, the iPad might just have a stylus in the box! It works well, leaves your screen clean and free of smudges, and feels great in your hand; and it writes! If I had to change a few things, I would add a pocket clip, make caps that stay on while using it, and make more comfortable the transition from barrel to pen grip. That being said, I highly recommend the Hard Candy Cases iPad Stylus...that you can also use with your iPhone. The iPad Stylus is $34.95 and available through Amazon.com. [Affiliate]
Eric Juillerat is a technologist, geek, and all around admirer of anything with silicon, buttons, or touch screens.
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