Wacom - Gizmodo

posts about #wacom more →
New Wacom Bamboo Is First Graphic Tablet with Tactile Multitouch Capability
iRex DR800SG Hands On: An Ebook Reader, Unchained
Multi-Touch Supporting Bamboo Tablet Joining Wacom Family Based on Blurry Pic
Wacom's Intuos4 Pen Tablet Gets Reviewed (Verdict: Good Value)
Wacom Dips Toe In Club Scene With Nextbeat Wireless DJ Controller
Hands On: Lenovo's Dual-Screen Laptop Has Basically Every Feature Ever
iRex Digital Reader 1000S Lightning Review
Lenovo ThinkPad W700 Has a BUILT-IN Wacom Tablet and Professional Grade Screen
The PlayStation 3 Works Well Enough With Tablets
Wacom New Touchscreen Perfect for Fabled Tablet MacBook

Your version of Internet Explorer is not supported. Please upgrade to the most recent version in order to view comments.

Dsmvwl Admin Promote to frontpage Approve user Ban user ×

Firebird
09/24/09

In reply to New Wacom Bamboo Is First Graphic Tablet with Tactile Multitouch Capability
Will someone explain to me why you would want a multi-touch only tablet perhipheral?

No. Really. I *kinda*get the ones that allow the traditional wacom stylus as well as multi-touch, but I'm having a hard time figuring out what one would do with a giant multi-touch track pad.

I suppose it's unfair to call it a track pad, since track pads track relative movement, and this probably maps it's surface to the surface of your screen like all wacom tablets, but I'm still not totally sure why you would want that, apart from novelty or infatuation with multi-touch.

Can someone enlighten me?
Reply

weatherman promoted this comment Firebird was starred Firebird was unstarred

weatherman
09/24/09

@Firebird: I find it very comfortable to use a track pad on a laptop, and find that multitouch gestures offer a very intuitive way of interacting with software. The only downside is that when touchpads are small they can feel a little cramped.

This basically allows desktop users who prefer to use a trackpad to have a nice big roomy one that supports multitouch, which is going to be something that is built in to a lot of software.
Reply

weatherman was starred weatherman was unstarred

k-napped
09/24/09

In reply to New Wacom Bamboo Is First Graphic Tablet with Tactile Multitouch Capability
What I really want to see from WACOM is a pen that can be used on the Apple Tablet that's coming out. If WACOM did that (connecting it it blutooth maybe?) and turned the iTab or w/e into a digital sketchpad, I'd be all over that.
Reply

k-napped was starred k-napped was unstarred

Lizard_King
09/24/09

In reply to New Wacom Bamboo Is First Graphic Tablet with Tactile Multitouch Capability
I have to think that the days of the screenless tablets are almost over. With the precision we are getting from touch-screens, the bandwidth from USB 3.0, and the sheer number of touch-screens causing price drops I would assume that all drawing tables would include screens, not just the uber-expensive Wacom models.
Reply

Lizard_King was starred Lizard_King was unstarred

planetarian
09/24/09

@Lizard_King: Wacom's Cintiq screens are expensive for a reason. No one else offers the same level of quality or capability as wacom. Also, it seems that including a pen digitizer costs somewhat more than just a plain touch screen, which is almost useless for art projects.
Reply

Lizard_King promoted this comment planetarian was starred planetarian was unstarred

Lizard_King
09/24/09

@planetarian: They are expensive now, but with the popularity of better touch-screen devices, the availability of high-quality devices like the Cintiq line at cheaper pricing may be more commonplace.

@TigerDave: I use the Cintiq in conjunction with a Monitor. No compromise on ergos, and I can't imagine going back to my old Graphire.
Reply

Lizard_King was starred Lizard_King was unstarred

weatherman
09/24/09

In reply to New Wacom Bamboo Is First Graphic Tablet with Tactile Multitouch Capability
Yep, that's exactly what I've been waiting for; a nice big multitouch pad, and just in time for Windows 7. The option to use either finger or pen is interesting - not sure why the latter costs an addition $30, but until I see reviews of both I won't be able to decide which one is best. Probably just go for the touch pad.
Reply

weatherman was starred weatherman was unstarred

Jake Lear
09/24/09

@weatherman: I would imagine the Bamboo touch wouldn't have as many, if any, levels of pressure sensitivity, seeing as how it wouldn't be used for drawing, which could explain the price difference.
Reply

weatherman promoted this comment Jake Lear was starred Jake Lear was unstarred

weatherman
09/24/09

@Jake Lear: I see. My fear would be that the touch would suffer on the pen version then, if not for the different sensors than for the different surface. That's why, despite having called for this kind of product for a long time, I'll just have to keep my cc in my pocket until the reviews are out.
Reply

weatherman was starred weatherman was unstarred

Mixiboi
09/24/09

@weatherman: it may have more to do with Adobe® Photoshop® Elements 7.0 included with it, Adobe tax always adds a little price.
Reply

weatherman promoted this comment Mixiboi was starred Mixiboi was unstarred

可愛い兎
09/24/09

@Jake Lear: The wacom tablet isn't pressure sensitive, the pen tip is.
Reply

可愛い兎 was starred 可愛い兎 was unstarred

chefgon
09/24/09

@可愛い兎: The surface of the tablet isn't pressure sensitive, but it does hold a static charge underneath the surface so that the pen can detect it. The touch-only version probably doesn't have that component.

That said, maybe it does anyway and just doesn't bother to include a pen. A replacement pen for a Wacom tablet runs you about $30, so they might just be charging you for that add-on that you could otherwise purchase separately if you wanted.
Reply

weatherman promoted this comment chefgon was starred chefgon was unstarred

anoteoftruth
09/24/09

@Jake Lear: 99$ over 69$ for the best of both worlds seems smarter to me.. Though I'm curious how the accuracy lives up to the intuos line.
Reply

weatherman promoted this comment anoteoftruth was starred anoteoftruth was unstarred

planetarian
09/24/09

@chefgon: that charge is also what actually powers the pen, from my understanding. without it the pen will not function. however, the pen in a consumer tablet like this may simply lack the electronics required for pressure sensitivity.
Reply

weatherman promoted this comment planetarian was starred planetarian was unstarred

weatherman
09/24/09

@chefgon: That makes sense now. I guess I was unaware how little I knew about Wacom pads.
Reply

weatherman was starred weatherman was unstarred

Noobs-R-Us
09/23/09

In reply to iRex DR800SG Hands On: An Ebook Reader, Unchained
What's up with the damn blue light special?
Reply

Noobs-R-Us was starred Noobs-R-Us was unstarred

Dreamwriter
09/23/09

In reply to iRex DR800SG Hands On: An Ebook Reader, Unchained
It's not a hardware game, true, but it's also not a software game. It's a *BOOK* game, and so far Amazon's got the most (real) books. I wish all the hardware manufacturers would just make theirs Kindle-compatible, then e-books would really take off.
Reply

Sticks Calhoun promoted this comment Dreamwriter was starred Dreamwriter was unstarred

IN THE FACE!
09/23/09

@Dreamwriter: Actual book count doesn't mean shit if you are artificially locking users into a limited number of sources and prices/price structures.

Provided the features/prices/usability/etc are competitive, users tend to flock to the most open option (unless you have some kind of reality distortion generator to prevent them...)
Reply

IN THE FACE! was starred IN THE FACE! was unstarred

zeroprime: #zeroprimeowns
09/23/09

In reply to iRex DR800SG Hands On: An Ebook Reader, Unchained
AARRGhh WTF why must companies feel the need to slap blue LEDs on their gadgets?

Dear gadget makers,

Please stop putting LEDs all over your shit, it only makes it look annoying.

Sincerely,
People who aren't blind.
Reply

Kerfudle:
09/25/09

@zeroprime: ::::::
especially the wii message light. It just sits their making the entire room blue, as it slowly breathes in and out, and then chokes, almost dies and then back to breathing in and out.
Reply

whiteknight89 still plays DiabloII promoted this comment Kerfudle: was starred Kerfudle: was unstarred

ripfire
09/23/09

In reply to iRex DR800SG Hands On: An Ebook Reader, Unchained
Where are the plus/minus highlights?
Reply

ripfire was starred ripfire was unstarred

Anonymoose
09/23/09

In reply to iRex DR800SG Hands On: An Ebook Reader, Unchained
all i care about with these ebook readers is if they make me look smart when i carry them around. nothing screams out "INTELLIGENT" quite like carrying a book*, which is why i carry this here set of encyclopedias around with me wherever i go.

"hey mister, you look smart!"

"hey mister, are you selling those?"

"eww, gross, don't hit on me when you're sweating all over those stupid encyclopedias in your arms."

*except for a parrot or small child that you have trained to scream "intelligent" whilst perched on your shoulder
Reply

Sticks Calhoun promoted this comment Anonymoose was starred Anonymoose was unstarred

Pazu
09/23/09

In reply to iRex DR800SG Hands On: An Ebook Reader, Unchained
What the hell with that glare in pictures #1 and #4? Didn't you say "glare-free"?
Reply

Pazu was starred Pazu was unstarred

Christopher Miller
09/16/09

In reply to Multi-Touch Supporting Bamboo Tablet Joining Wacom Family Based on Blurry Pic
I don't really get it. I know the whole multi-touch thing is getting big now with laptops, but I don't see this really benefiting any serious artist.

If, or when, they put this on a Cintiq, it would make a lot more sense.
Reply

Xeno promoted this comment Christopher Miller was starred

Xeno
09/16/09

@Christopher Miller: Multi touch is to a drawing tablet as finger paints is to painting.
Reply

Xeno was starred Xeno was unstarred

HolbrookPolyhymnia
09/16/09

In reply to Multi-Touch Supporting Bamboo Tablet Joining Wacom Family Based on Blurry Pic
As an artist that's been using Wacom tablets for over 12 years now, I can imagine how software can take advantage of this.

One important tool could be a virtual ruler: two fingers of the left hand can be used to point to the two endpoints of a straight line you want to draw on the screen canvas. Then the drawing hand with the pen glides between the two points to draw a straight line.

I realize there are ways to do that now on Painter and Photoshop, but they're cumbersome, especially if you want to draw straight raster (not vector) lines with varying degrees of pressure applied.
Reply

Rosa Golijan promoted this comment HolbrookPolyhymnia was starred

met2art
09/15/09

In reply to Multi-Touch Supporting Bamboo Tablet Joining Wacom Family Based on Blurry Pic
I like my Wacom tablets, and the Bamboo is no exception... it makes it possible for me to do illustration work when dragging my laptop around. But honestly, I can't see how multitouch brings anything useful to the table with a stylus-based drawing system. I still only use one pen, pencil or paintbrush at a time when I draw or paint with real media.... I can't see how using two stylii, or a stylus and the mouse simultaneously, would be helpful. I'd be interested in seeing why anyone would do it, even though to me it seems a useless feature.
Reply

Rosa Golijan promoted this comment Edited by met2art at 09/15/09 10:13 PM met2art was starred met2art was unstarred

Bawb - The One, The Only, The Builder
09/15/09

@met2art: I think it would be more along the lines of multi-touch gestures making the whole art process easier.
Reply

Rosa Golijan promoted this comment

32ndnote
09/15/09

@met2art: I usually have my left hand just chilling along the side, so I think it would feel much more involved in the whole design process if it could pinch to zoom or navigate with 2-finger swipes or select which tool I'll be using next. I'm getting so excited over a rumor!
Reply

32ndnote was starred 32ndnote was unstarred

met2art
09/15/09

@Bawb - The One, The Only, The Builder: I find the interface of applications like Autodesk Sketchbook and Opencanvas to be extremely simple with their very pen-centric design. I don't yet see how using more than one touch device, or whipping them around in strange arcane gestures would make it any easier, but hey, as long as it doesn't diminish current capacity or raise the cost, I guess more is better. Photoshop on the other hand has the worst interface for tablet use... maybe making wavy gestures would actually help. I already shake my fist at it, a lot, but so far it doesn't accomplish much.
Reply

met2art was starred met2art was unstarred

met2art
09/15/09

@32ndnote: I guess that does make some sense... typically I'm using my left hand to do short cut keys, and I zoom in and out with the pen itself... I guess I'll have to see it in action to get a feel for it. Must remember to keep an open mind, and not get too set in my ways. :)

@Bawb - The One, The Only, The Builder: I suppose it would have its advantages, it's just not something I ever felt was lacking, probably based on the fact that I don't use Photoshop to draw (it's abysmal for drawing), but it might make 3D and spline-based Flash work easier... ok, I'm gonna reserve judgment until I can play with one!
Reply

met2art was starred met2art was unstarred

weatherman
03/25/09

In reply to Wacom's Intuos4 Pen Tablet Gets Reviewed (Verdict: Good Value)
You know what I really want from Wacom? A Bamboo-style (medium size) tablet that doubles as a multi-touchpad for my desktop. Combining that with the usual pen input would make it really useful.
Reply

weatherman was starred weatherman was unstarred

Jason
03/25/09

In reply to Wacom's Intuos4 Pen Tablet Gets Reviewed (Verdict: Good Value)
Wouldn't a used tablet laptop (resistive) be better than even the Cintiq?
Reply

Jason was starred Jason was unstarred

Kaiser-Machead
03/25/09

@Jason: Not unless the laptop has a special stylus that will change with your application of pressure on the screen, like a Wacom does.
Reply

Kaiser-Machead was starred Kaiser-Machead was unstarred

meowfaceman
03/25/09

@Kaiser 'Won't Play Crisis' Machead: The Gateway M275 is a pressure sensitive convertible tablet PC.
Reply

meowfaceman was starred meowfaceman was unstarred

Pepin Gelardi
03/25/09

@Kaiser 'Won't Play Crisis' Machead: There are plenty of laptops that do have wacom's technology integrated into screen. However, none are as large, well calibrated or responsive as a high-end machine attached to a cintiq.
Reply

Pepin Gelardi was starred Pepin Gelardi was unstarred

Kaiser-Machead
03/25/09

@meowfaceman: It's a pressure sensitive display, but the system is inferior to a Wacom when it comes to pressure levels and accuracy. If it's just for messing about and making quick computer sketches, a tablet should be fine. If you actually want to do more serious artwork on the computer, a tablet PC will not cut it.
Reply

Kaiser-Machead was starred Kaiser-Machead was unstarred

Kaiser-Machead
03/25/09

@Pepin Gelardi: Yeah I was looking at some of these integrated Wacom laptops. All in all, it's still watered down by comparison. It's more like a Bamboo laptop than any Intuous-grade from what I can see. Personally, I'd rather just get the plain tablet and save my money while having equal actual functionality to the likes of the Cintique, as glorious as it is.
Reply

Kaiser-Machead was starred Kaiser-Machead was unstarred

Earlier threads | All threads | Show hidden threads | Show featured threads only | Start a new discussion

Gizmodo Team

SUBSCRIBE TO Gizmodo

Login

Reset Password

Register

Submit Your Comment