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First Bluetooth Wacom Graphics Tablet

Wacom Technology today announced the newest member of its Graphire pen tablet family and the first Wacom pen tablet to incorporate Bluetooth wireless technology.

The new model, named Graphire Bluetooth, is expected to be warmly embraced by photo enthusiasts who seek the control and comfort of Wacom’s patented cordless, battery-free pen and the freedom of a wireless device. Mobile office workers, educators and aspiring digital artists will also appreciate the new device and the ability to work where and when they want. Available immediately, Graphire Bluetooth offers a 6″ x 8″ active area and is priced at $249.99.

“Photo and art enthusiasts are attracted to the intuitive nature and overall artistic experience offered by Graphire Bluetooth,” said Mark Mehall, Senior Product Manager with Wacom. “Combining our pen technology with Bluetooth wireless technology provides photo and digital art enthusiasts the flexibility and freedom to comfortably move about as they edit their digital photos and create digital art.”

Cordless and Wireless - A Winning Combination

Wacom’s patented cordless, battery-free pen technology works harmoniously with Bluetooth wireless technology to create a leading-edge environment for digital imaging fun. The Wacom pen looks and feels like a regular pen and operates without batteries or cords. Additionally, with 512 levels of pressure sensitivity, a Wacom Graphire pen provides a natural and controlled way to retouch and edit digital photos and create original art. A built-in eraser even makes it easy to quickly fix mistakes.

Bluetooth wireless technology is a global communications standard used by millions that allows computers and other devices to communicate reliably and effortlessly over distances of up to 30 feet. The fast and sophisticated method of transmission ensures protection from interference.

Remote Power

The Graphire Bluetooth tablet features a rechargeable lithium polymer battery that provides up to 25 hours of wireless freedom between charges. A 12-foot cable on the universal power adapter makes it convenient to use the tablet while the battery is charging. Estimated recharge time is 5 to 6 hours. The universal power adapter accepts 110 and 220 volts for use virtually anywhere in the world.

More Graphire Bluetooth Features

Graphire Bluetooth incorporates two on-tablet programmable buttons called ExpressKeys(TM) which are designed to optimize workflow by providing quick access to commonly used modifiers, mouse-clicks, and keystrokes.

Graphire Bluetooth users will also appreciate the ability to use their Graphire pen to naturally annotate documents in such programs as Adobe Acrobat, Apple Inkwell, Microsoft Office PowerPoint, OneNote or EverNote for Windows.

Add comment April 15th, 2005

How To Make a PC Really Fit Into the Living Room

We love the concept Media Center PC developed by One & Co. Small form factor PCs are all very well, but they still don’t look too hot next to the television, so TechSmec.com thinks the best approach is to either make them look like consumer electronics appliances…or bits of furniture.

One & Co have taken the furniture approach, making something that looks more like an Ikea coffee table than a PC. The wooden finish is particularly fetching, although the Microsoft logo stamped on the side somewhat spoils it.

The designers say: “The stylish design makes a lifestyle statement with wood and metal finishes that achieves One & Co’s ultimate goal: to reconcile the system’s functional demands with a sensibility that is geared to the final product’s aesthetic appeal.”

TechSmec.com says: “Yeah right - someone’s been watching too many of those Focus adverts airing in the UK at the moment.”

Add comment April 15th, 2005

i-pot - It’s Not As Interesting As It Sounds

Japan is no different to anywhere else - they have an aging population and that brings about the sad reality of many elderly dying alone.

However, the land of the gadget has come up with a solution to alert concerned relatives to a change in the habits of relatives, which might be an early warning of a problem.

The i-pot is a high-tech kettle which monitors usage and wirelessly sends the information to a central server. Nominated relatives then get emailed recent usage times on a regular basis. The idea is that with an elderly person, the ability to make tea is about the last thing to go pear-shaped. Once the tea-making stops, there really must be a problem.

Add comment April 15th, 2005

Moore’s Law Bounty Sparks Wave of Library Theft

To mark the 40th anniversary of Moore’s Law, the often quoted prediction by Gordon Moore that the number of components on a CPU would double every 2 years, while prices would fall at a similar rate, Intel offered a $10,000 bounty for a mint copy of the magazine where the article was first published.

The April 19, 1965 edition of Electronics Magazine is the tome in question, but it seems that the magazine is not as rare as the bounty would have you believe. In fact there are copies around the world in university libraries…or rather there were copies in university libraries.

First to report a big space on the shelf where the magazine once sat was the University of Illinois - others quickly followed, forcing academic institutions across the USA to put their copies under lock and key, including Stanford.

Quite what Intel thought it was doing by offering money for a magazine that was freely available is anyone’s guess. Why they thought the best way of getting it was to post the electronic equivalent of a wanted notice is even stranger. They are now reportedly sitting under a mound of copies.

Add comment April 15th, 2005