This pocket-sized tablet from Switzerland, circa 1780, features an ivory writing surface, a small wooden pencil, and gold and enamel covering a steel case. Its gold inscription, “souvenir d’amitié” {souvenir of friendship}, indicates that it was a personal gift. It currently is in the collection of the Walters Art Museum.
Today most smartphones and tablets have the capability only for child-like finger-painting gestures. HTC, however, offers HTC Scribe with its Flyer and Evo View 4G models. Stylus-enabled mobile tablets, also known as notepads, have long historical precedent.
Writing with a stylus doesn’t readily produce standard, structured data (keyed text). A stylus instead offers much greater freedom for visual design and expression. The demand for images surely is great. On the other hand, most persons seem unwilling to exert much effort in content creation and personal expression. More freedom for visual design may not be worth the cost in data structure. Perhaps stylus devices will survive only as niche, high-end products.