New Wacom Tablets Have Multi-Touch and Pen Input
Wacom Co. Ltd., unveiled the Bamboo second generation, a new consumer interactive tablet that merges multi-touch functionality with pen tablet technology in a single device, providing a whole new interface for computer users. Bamboo ushers in a more intuitive, simple and inspiring way to work with computers.
Wacom considers the Bamboo Touch; Bamboo Pen; and Bamboo Pen and Touch to be the core models, but it will also sell Bamboo Craft and Bamboo Fun.
For computer users looking to replace a mouse or augment integrated laptop input, Bamboo Touch ($69 USD) provides an exciting way to work with the computer, opening the door to a brand new world of enjoyment with Multi-Touch. Like all Bamboo tablets, Bamboo Touch simply plugs into a computer with the attached USB cable. A complete tutorial on all touch gestures is included in the box.
Bamboo Pen ($69 USD), like the name implies, is a pen-only tablet and well suited to end-users who would like to employ the pen for digital ink and creativity. The pen delivers accuracy and pressure-sensitive control and allows the user to customize two side buttons within the Wacom Tablet driver software. Bamboo Pen comes with Corel® Painter™ Essentials, a creative software application with realistic tools for sketching and painting.
Bamboo Pen and Touch ($99 USD) provides amazing flexibility by offering pen and Multi-Touch input in a single device. This tablet is geared to users seeking an input device for the office or home that allows them to navigate with their fingers or use Bamboo’s patented battery-free and cordless pen technology for pen-specific work. Users can alternate between the two input methods easily and quickly. Simply, if the finger is in contact with the tablet surface, touch becomes the primary input. If the pen tip is brought into proximity to the tablet surface, touch is automatically turned off and pen input controls the cursor. For example, one could easily use Multi-Touch to select icons and scroll through a document and conveniently switch to the pen when an annotation or quick sketch is needed. Bamboo Pen and Touch comes with Adobe® Photoshop® Elements for photo editing and retouching as well as Nik® software’s filters for photo enhancement.
Bamboo Craft, offering pen and touch input and included software, is ideally suited for today’s scrapbooker and crafter. Bamboo Craft users will enjoy using the pen to retouch and edit photos as well as create and embellish designs. Users can conveniently employ Multi-Touch input to zoom-in on or rotate an image. When ready to add a handwritten note or signature, simply pick up the pen and let it flow. Bamboo Craft ($129 USD) ships with an amazing array of software and valuable items, including Adobe Photoshop Elements, Corel Painter Essentials, Nik filters, 26 digital scrapbooking lessons from renowned designer Jane Conner-ziser, a free scrapbooking album from Shutterfly®, digital craft embellishments, a coupon from Digital Scrapbook University for a free online class, a free one-year subscription to the popular magazine, Scrapbooking and Beyond® and a gift certificate from the e-store at CafePress®.
Bamboo Fun ($199 USD), in stylish silver, combines pen and Multi-Touch in a larger-sized tablet than Bamboo Craft or the other Bamboo solutions. It is ideal for home creatives or photo enthusiasts looking for more control and freedom of movement when their fingers or pen are positioned on the tablet surface. Bamboo Fun ships with Adobe Photoshop Elements, Corel Painter Essentials and Nik photographic filters.
Availability and Pricing
The five tablets in the line will be available from October 3rd, 2009.
* The Bamboo Touch will be $69.
* The Bamboo Pen will cost $69
* The Bamboo Pen and Touch will sell for $99.
* The Bamboo Craft is $129.
* The Bamboo Fun is $199.
