HTC Releases Stylus for HD2

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/15/official-htc-capacitive-stylus-for-hd2-now-shipping/' target='_blank'>http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/15/...2-now-shipping/</a><br /><br /></div><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/wpt/auto/1263853307.usr1.jpg" style="border: 0;" /></p><p>I have to admit to being a bit puzzled by this accessory. The HD2, between the huge screen size and the superb software efforts HTC has put into making Windows Mobile finger-friendly, is the first Windows Mobile Professional device to ship without a stylus. And, based on my experience using it over the past couple of months, it really doesn't need one - certainly not a $28 USD stylus. Because the HD2 uses a capacitive screen, you can't use any old piece of plastic - it needs to be a stylus created specifically for a capacitive screen. Are you an HD2 owner using a stylus? If so, chime in.</p>

[Fritzly]

No I do not. Not only I do not use a stilo now that I am using WM 6.5.3 but I did not use and did not miss one even when using the original WM 6.5 .
What is this scam? A phone that costs $800 and the stilo is a separate purchase?
I bet it will be a huge flop.

[Janak Parekh]

It's presumably useful for people who use apps that need the stylus, i.e., small buttons, drawing, some games. That's what I'd assume. Not all WM apps are touch-friendly yet. :)

--janak

[SPTech]

Also, don't forget that .NET and MS-SQL are core enterprise apps, and if most companies are going to develop (or have already developed) a custom mobile application for mobile users, it's probably going to be on Windows Mobile, and will likely require a stylus for (at least part of) its functionality. And there's also a lot of major enterprise apps that also natively support mobile (Windows Mobile) use in an effort to extend their value and usefulness. In these two scenarios, I can see why an upscale device manufacturer would at least offer the option of a stylus. While it's easy to just concentrate on the consumer market because it's got more sizzle, business enterprise use is still a huge market.

[mmidgley]

I know someone that uses a stylus with their iphone (capacitive screen is the point) because of supposed fingertip sensitivity. That's one reason to use a stylus, but it can't be a very popular reason. $28 does seem steep. I am looking forward to using a device stylus-free. (I wonder how I'll do without a dpad though).

m.

[alese]

That's one expensive stylus.
But, for what is worth, if I would have and use HD2 I would probably buy one. Why? Because I like taking handwritten notes on my device and because my kids like to draw on my devices and all that would be great on device like HD2.

[doogald]

Hey, maybe it's worth it not to have to take off your gloves in the winter! ;) (BTW, if this is the case, you can use the negative end of a AAA battery as a fairly broad stylus on a capacitive screen, in a pinch.)

[guney]

You need a stylus if you do something like edit spreadsheets with 30+ rows and 6 columns on the screen at any one time (where you need to select one specific cell, rather than a blob of cell ranges or without having to make three attempts), or if you're working with topographic maps with paths (where you'd like to know the elevation right "at this peak", rather than "somewhere near it"), etc. In other words, if you're me.

In fact, the lack of a stylus was the single biggest reason that stopped me from upgrading to an HD2 (from my current Touch HD).

This new stylus is a step in the right direction for users like me, but it still falls short. I carry my device with me in my jeans pocket at all times and can't be bothered with having to keep track of yet another little object cluttering up my pockets and getting jostled together with (and possibly scratching the screen of) my device.

I guess I'll have to wait until their next generation high-end model, where this stylus will presumably be integrated into its own built-in slot. (Like in the good old days...) Hopefully, they've woken up to this need now.

[Nurhisham Hussein]

I'm with alese - I take a lot of handwritten notes, especially in meetings. I'm wondering though whether it wouldn't be possible to use pens designed for tablet PCs with active screens? One thing I have against styluses is that they're not terribly comfortable to write with over long periods.

[follick]

I stick with WM devices because of software that I have that won't run on other platforms. I'm going to need a stylus.

[Richard76]

As a long-time Windows Mobile user, I would have to agree that I prefer the option of having a stylus. Although it seems that I use it less and less with each new device and OS version, I still find it useful on my current HTC Fuze.

My problem is two-fold though. I actually prefer a combination stylus for business. This is the type that is more like an actual pen so it is easier to use and includes a pen and a mechanical pencil. I actually have several of these now and one actually has an LED flashlight and laser pointer built into the head.

For personal use on nights and weekends though, I prefer the built-in stylus as I generally won't have upper pockets and I don't have to keep track of another item.

So, the issue for me is, how long will it be before the 3rd party vendors start selling these aftermarket "pens" for capacitive screens.

[Jason Dunn]

Great responses everyone - it's helpful for me to see the range of reasons for wanting a stylus. It's kind of a shame HTC didn't include one in the chassis of the HD2 - it's tall enough to have the stylus be actually usable unlike the pixie-like ones that HTC has been shipping in devices over the past two years. :rolleyes:

[Richard76]

Agreed. And there is also no reason why they couldn't put a pen at the opposite end to the "pointer". I remember buying these aftermarket types for some of my early Palm units. The black plastic piece you used to pull the stylus out unscrewed and there was a pen tip there.

[guney]

Agreed. And there is also no reason why they couldn't put a pen at the opposite end to the "pointer". I remember buying these aftermarket types for some of my early Palm units. The black plastic piece you used to pull the stylus out unscrewed and there was a pen tip there.

At the risk of stating the obvious, Boxwave still sells aftermarket styli with that kind of a secondary pen in it for many current smartphones featuring resistive touchscreens...

[Richard76]

Yes, I know but I am talking about one for the new capacitive screens.

[Sven Johannsen]

Agreed. And there is also no reason why they couldn't put a pen at the opposite end to the "pointer". I remember buying these aftermarket types for some of my early Palm units. The black plastic piece you used to pull the stylus out unscrewed and there was a pen tip there.
Bought an aftermarket one of those for some PPC or other that I had. It leaked into the stylus silo. Wasn't pleased. Do still have a number of the multi-function, pen-stylus-mechpencil things. Like those.

Be nice if someone makes a nice stylus for the 'new and improved' capacitive touchscreens. The one(s) I've tried with my iPhone are like writing with a broadtip felt marker.

The styli that tend to come with tablet PCs are pretty nice. Also capacitive screens AFAIK, but a different tech, as my tablet stylii don't work on the iPhone at least. Be nice if they made a combo screen for a phone/PDA. HP does that on their Tablets like the TX1000 and TX2000 and I guess newer ones. I can use my finger for gross selections, and the stylus for writing/fine entry.