Of course, a stylus was the most convenient tool for these purposes. What is more, many smartphones ran Windows Mobile, whose interface was designed for use with a stylus. When capacitive screens and finger-friendly operating systems became more widespread, styluses fell out of use for a while.
The Stylus Is Reborn
Interest in styluses revived in 2011, when Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Note smartphone with a 5.3-inch screen that seemed huge at the time. The device came with an S Pen stylus, and the gadget was positioned as a substitute for a notebook computer. That same year, HTC released its first Flyer tablet, which was also equipped with a stylus.
As it later turned out, the stylus never became a popular phone accessory. Today, only Samsung still equips some smartphone models with a smart pen. A phone screen is still too small for drawing or writing comfortably.
But tablets with a stylus, on the contrary, have become commonplace. Many manufacturers produce tablets with a stylus included, because it is precisely when using a large screen measuring 10–12 inches diagonally that the advantages of a stylus become apparent.
What a Modern Smart Pen Can Do
A stylus at the beginning of the 21st century was simply a pointed stick. Today’s smart pens are significantly different. They detect pressure and may have additional functions. For example, the aforementioned S Pen can serve as a camera remote control, which is convenient for taking selfies from a distance; during presentations, it can be used to switch slides and adjust the volume.
A stylus shows its full potential in drawing programs, although it is obvious that the vast majority of people do not use such applications. Anti-stress coloring programs are intended for a broader group of users. Styluses become genuinely useful tools for people studying or engaged in academic research. When reading an e-book, it is very convenient to use a stylus to bookmark a page, underline a necessary phrase and add a comment. Finally, you can write on the screen with a stylus as you would with a pen and convert your notes into printed text.