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What Makes a Good Stylus?The stylus is often dismissed as ��the little plastic stick� that people use on their PDA or handheld. In truth, it is as important and indispensable as the mouse is to the computer, as it is the connecting point for the entire user experience. While it may seem like a simple product on the surface, a great deal of time and energy must be invested in the design and manufacturing of a stylus if it is to work smoothly and provide minimal wear & tear to both itself and the screen it is used with. After all, who hasn't seen a screen scratched to the point of invisibility by an ��afterthought� stylus? What makes a good stylus?
Versatility - many applications require a stylus that can be adapted and/or customized for particular user environments. This can range from the addition of holders to covers or other tip protection to tethers and other methods of maximizing access and minimizing loss or theft. The addition of imprinted and/or laser-engraved logos and other brand marking can also add to the development of product and or corporate identity.
Reproduced with permission from
StyliSource.com, a |
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Tip
Geometry - the shape of a stylus tip determines how much surface area comes into contact with the screen, affecting the amount of pressure
needed by the user to activate it. Not all manufacturers consider these "human factors" in the design of a product considered by
most to be overly simplistic. An improperly designed stylus can lead users to apply excessive force to the screen, often resulting in increased wear
and/or damage to the stylus and worst yet, to the screen.
Tip
Material - a stylus��s tip material is critical to both a stylus��s wear characteristics and it usability, both of which may vary depending
upon the ultimate user environment. Different materials create different amounts of ��drag� or ��slip��, either of which may be desirable depending
upon whether an application involves just ��touch & tap� or ��drag & drop� on the screen. The wrong material can make a system difficult to
use and/or contribute to excessive wear to a screen, or worse, yet - damage.
Tip
Production - most stylus tips, like most plastic products, are molded under pressure between two heavy pieces of steel. This process
can result in ��parting lines� or a fine ridge of plastic where material finds its way between the two mold halves.
Ergonomics
- the styli most people are familiar with are the compact units designed to fit into common PDA��s. These units are typically designed
for their portability and not necessarily to aid the user in working with their handheld. While this may be fine for personal applications, such
as calendar and address book, commercial applications for Point-of-Sale, transportation, sales force automation and more demand more elegant, user-friendly
designs.