The original Wacom Bamboo Stylus feel Black (above top) and Carbon were the last Wacom EMR pens to work with the Surface Pro 1 and 2 before Microsoft's switch to N-Trig with the Surface Pro 3. That was at least six months before Wacom's similar Active ES tech was ready for market.
New Bamboo Stylus that will Support Both Active ES and Microsoft Pens
Though it was first announced by Microsoft in March, 2016, both companies have been silent ever since, leading some to worry that Wacom's dual protocol pen would never materialize. The confirmation of the continued development of the pen finally arrived in this announcement released yesterday.
TOKYO, Japan—January 2, 2017—Wacom Co., Ltd announced today that the company is developing a new stylus capable of using both Wacom’s own Active ES™ Pen protocol and Microsoft Pen Protocol.
The new stylus, which will be released under the Bamboo brand, is the first result of collaboration between Wacom and Microsoft based on the licensing agreement in March 2016. Incorporating the two leading pen protocols, the stylus will offer the broadest compatibility on the Windows market, enabling users to alternate seamlessly between multiple pen-equipped devices with a click and tap into ink applications including Windows Ink.
Styli have continued to gain popularity, amid growing recognition of their potential for improving productivity and creativity with mobile devices. Targeting this market, Wacom has since 2014 shipped its Active ES Pen solutions for a range of OEM customers. Microsoft has been actively promoting ink with Windows devices and this culminated in Windows Ink in 2016, where styli play a primary role for creating and manipulating content. Both companies concur the potential of digital ink and pen have in store for us.
“As more devices come onto the market equipped with styli and a broadening array ofink solutions emerge, it is vital to stay focused on the customer experience. The new stylus can be used seamlessly across devices, enabling the user to take advantage of digital ink solutions such as Windows Ink,” said Mike Gay, SVP in charge of Wacom’s Consumer Business Unit.
Wacom announced the establishment of Digital Stationery Consortium, Inc. in October 2016, which aims to promote the wide adoption and market development of digital stationery under an open partnership, harnessing the power of digital pens and digital ink, to serve creative minds in the most natural and intuitive way. A single stylus which can unify two different technologies fits this objective.
Wacom and Digital Stationery Consortium, Inc. will jointly host the event “Connected Ink Las Vegas” on January 6, to establish digital ink as universal, open and smart content format by promoting and managing WILL™ (Wacom Ink Layer Language)-based ink formats.
About Wacom
Founded in Japan in 1983, Wacom is now a global company with offices around the world supporting marketing and distribution in over 150 countries and areas. For more than 30 years, Wacom has worked with the most creative people and organizations to inspire and equip them to make the world a more creative place.
Wacom’s products have been used by loyal customers to create some of the most exciting digital art, films, special effects, fashion and product designs. They have also played a significant role in making technology accessible in a natural and intuitive way through pen tablets, interactive pen displays, digital interface solutions, stylus products and mobile studio tablets. These all make it possible for everyone to express their creativity in digital media, whether artists, business executives or people enjoying everyday creativity. Wacom’s interface technologies are offered as OEM solutions to leading manufacturers of tablet devices, smartphones and PCs.
