Many people would tell you that you don’t need a pen to enjoy touchscreen devices. For the most part it’s true: the iPad shines as fingers flick photos into sharing bins and users check off another todo item in Things. Pen input is old fashioned, and quite frankly there isn’t a successful way to do it on a capacitive touchscreen. Though what would happen if we took the pen away from a poet, or a brush away from a canvas painter? Ten One Design defies finger philosophy with an elegant solution for the iPhone 4, iPod touch, and iPad with the popular Pogo Stylus.
No bigger than a cigarette, the hollow aluminum pen is topped with a foam tip that mimics finger input. The soft tip isn’t designed to scratch or leave otherwise nasty fingerprints on your favorite oleophobic screen, but its spongy quality could leave some users wanting more. Before we press upon the squishy details, let’s talk about what you get for $14.95.
While I reviewed the iPhone 4 stylus (reviewers can’t be choosers), I didn’t have a chance to actually use the pen on an iPhone 4. Instead, the iPad and iPod touch siblings were substituted in testing. The iPhone 4 kit includes two clips that allow you to stand the iPhone 4 in the vertical orientation, and clip the stylus to the band so your pen doesn’t get lost in a purse or messenger bag pocket. The clips are stiff and sturdy, and flex slightly to enable users to quickly disengage it from their iPhones. They’re nothing special in terms of quality: plastic only turns so many heads. But it’s a nice addition that’s optional to use when carrying around your stylus.
The stylus itself was presented in a burnt orange fashion as a hollow aluminum pipe with a black plastic end cap and a foam tip. The plastic end cap I thought was a rather cheesy plug to an otherwise great feeling product: I was left wishing there was a mock eraser or something more substantial as I thumbed over the odd protrusion. Perhaps I’m picky here, after all the most important feature would have to be the writing tip.
The foam tip is interesting, though it isn’t rigid or solid. There’s quite a bit of give allowed, and I’m not sure I like it if I’m writing. It doesn’t feel like a real pen, nor can you lightly brush the pen across the surface and expect an input. I was hoping I could dust the pen to reduce fatigue, but you almost feel as if you have to drag the pen across the screen at times. I don’t know if I should blame the cushion or the design of the pen, but it’s not comfortable for long periods of use if you plan to write notes. It’s fine if you want to sign something in Square, and I’ll admit there is a sweet spot…
For drawing or sketching, the tip feels fine and ultimately solves the cramped finger syndrome I often encounter when painting in SketchBook Pro. If you’re working in an app like Brushes for example, you’ll appreciate the precision the Pogo Stylus allots as you dart about drawing the next masterpiece. The Pogo Stylus really helps you feel like you’re in control of your art, and the lightweight pen doesn’t feel cumbersome or inhibiting. Ten One Design offers their Pogo Sketch for the iPad, but this small stylus holds up fine.
My biggest concern is that the foam tip will eventually flatten out and wear overtime. I feel like with consistent use you might be trading in for another stylus after six or so months, but the out of the box experience is pretty solid. Sturdy in construction, the Pogo Stylus leaves me wanting for more when it comes to writing, but is excellent as a substitute paintbrush offering artists precise extension for their touchscreen devices. It’s available for $14.95 at Ten One Design in black, pink, orange, and green for the iPhone 4. If you don’t care about the accessories the stylus comes with, it really doesn’t matter what model you buy.
