Mobile Technology

SonarPen: A cheap, pressure-sensitive stylus for sketching on older iPads

SonarPen: A cheap, pressure-sensitive stylus for sketching on older iPads
Software integration is only for iOS so far but the company plans to work on Android integration in the near future
Software integration is only for iOS so far but the company plans to work on Android integration in the near future
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The device connects to a tablet or phone via the headphone jack. An adapter can be used for newer devices with no headphone jack
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The device connects to a tablet or phone via the headphone jack. An adapter can be used for newer devices with no headphone jack
The SonarPen neatly wraps up its cord
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The SonarPen neatly wraps up its cord
It works with every iPad except the very first generation
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It works with every iPad except the very first generation
The SonarPen also works with all iPhones from the 4 onwards
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The SonarPen also works with all iPhones from the 4 onwards
Software integration is only for iOS so far but the company plans to work on Android integration in the near future
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Software integration is only for iOS so far but the company plans to work on Android integration in the near future
On unsupported apps the pen still functions as a "dumb stylus"
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On unsupported apps the pen still functions as a "dumb stylus"
The pen comes in several colors
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The pen comes in several colors
An example showing how the SonarPen can create different pen pressure impressions
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An example showing how the SonarPen can create different pen pressure impressions
A piece created using the SonarPen
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A piece created using the SonarPen
Another example of work created with the SonarPen
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Another example of work created with the SonarPen
General sketching with the SonarPen
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General sketching with the SonarPen
View gallery - 11 images

A recent study disturbingly revealed that young children are using touchscreen devices so frequently that they are growing up unable to hold pens correctly due to underdeveloped muscles. Despite there being several electronic pens on the market for use with tablets or smartphones, they generally have been either expensive or limited to newer tablets. A Hong-Kong-based company hopes to change all that with the SonarPen, a cheap, pressure-sensitive stylus that works on almost all generations of iPad, connecting to the devices through the headphone jack.

The SonarPen is an interesting smart pen that cleverly fills the gap in the market between a cheap rubber stylus and a more expensive Apple Pencil. The battery-free device connects to an iPhone or iPad through the headphone jack (or via a lightning adapter if you have a newer model). Its pressure-sensitive capabilities are produced by turning pen strokes into audio signals that are interpreted as digital signals by the tablet or smartphone and instantly transformed into writing on the screen.

The overall functionality of the SonarPen is directly related to how quickly app developers integrate the device. So far, the makers of SonarPen have only developed the software for iOS devices. Android tablet and smartphone users can still utilize the device but currently it will only work as a "dumb stylus" with no pressure-sensing or palm-rejection capabilities. It is claimed that Android integration is on its way and very well may be around by the time the device ships in June.

It works with every iPad except the very first generation
It works with every iPad except the very first generation

Currently only two iOS apps are officially supported, Zen Brush 2 and ZoomNotes, but the makers of SonarPen suggest several more app developers are currently working on, or reviewing, integrating the smart features of the device. Considering the popularity of this crowdfunding campaign (it has already doubled its initial goal with over two weeks still remaining) it seems likely that more apps will integrate the device in the near future – but nothing is guaranteed, so right now it is recommended that buyers only rely on what is already featured.

The cost of the SonarPen is its strongest feature with a current earlybird campaign price of around US$25 with a post-campaign regular retail price of $30. This sets it apart from the more expensive Apple Pencil (at around $100) that only works on an iPad Pro, whereas the SonarPen offers full pressure-sensing capabilities on older iPads.

A piece created using the SonarPen
A piece created using the SonarPen

In the scheme of Kickstarter campaigns this is a relatively safe bet with the makers of the product successfully delivering other campaigns in the past. Any promised future functionality cannot be guaranteed, but if you have an old iPad and want to turn it into a neat sketchpad, maybe for a child to play around with, then this looks like a decent cheap option.

Take a look at the campaign video below.

Source: Kickstarter

SonarPen: World's most affordable Smart Pen

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