Adonit Jot Touch With Pixelpoint Brings Pressure-Sensing Pen To iPad

Adobe isn't the only company with a new iPad stylus today, with Adonit's Jot Touch with Pixelpoint based on the same technology as the Adobe Ink and promising to deliver 2,048 levels of pressure sensitivity in a new breed of iOS art apps. Jot Touch hooks up to the iPad via Bluetooth LE, communicating pressure as well as signals from the two barrel buttons, into new apps like Adobe Line and Adobe Sketch.

The pen measures 139.7mm long and is 12mm in diameter, and weighs in at 20g. Its battery can run for up to 11hrs of active use (or a month of standby), and recharges in around 90 minutes using a tiny USB dongle.

The similarities between Jot Touch and Adobe Ink aren't coincidental. In fact, Adonit's Pixelpoint technology powers both: the company approached Adobe after the Photoshop maker revealed "Project Mighty" last year, its then-prototype pen and ruler set for iPad.

That original prototype had a roughly 5mm rubber tip, but Adonit promised a more accurate 3.18mm nib with its technology. That led to a collaboration from December 2013, and to both Jot Touch and Adobe Ink today.

At launch, the stylus will work with Adobe's free Sketch and Line apps for iPad and iPad mini, with full palm rejection, pressure sensitivity, and shortcuts triggered by the barrel buttons. Palm rejection on its own will be supported by ZoomNotes, Noteshelf, and Penultimate for iPad. Meanwhile, there'll be an SDK for third-party developers wanting to support Pixelpoint.

The tech may be the same, but Adonit is also undercutting Adobe with its pricing, with the Jot Touch coming in at $119.99. However, while Adobe charges $199.99 for its pen set, you do get the Slide ruler in there too, along with a carry-case charger unlike the Jot's more simplistic USB dongle.

SOURCE Adonit