Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
[STK]
[IN] CPR PEL HRD CSE
[SU]
-- WITH PHOTO -- TO BUSINESS, AND TECHNOLOGY EDITORS:
Wacom has reached 100 million units of pen component production
demonstrating the potential of the digital pen as a primary tool in
the age of "digital stationery"
TOKYO and VANCOUVER, Wash., April 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Wacom Co.,
Ltd. today announced that cumulative production of its unique digital
pen components reached 100 million units as of April 16th, 2014.
Called "Wacom@ feel IT technologies (branded feelT)," the pen
components are optimized for use in mobile products such as
smartphones and tablets. Out of the 100 million, 90 million have been
manufactured in the last three years, illustrating the accelerating
demand for digital pens as a speedy, high-precision input tool on
mobile products.
Wacom's component business took off in 1991 on an OEM basis, supplying
key components to leading overseas and domestic PC manufacturers. This
followed the trend to incorporate pen input features into operating
systems such as Windows 3.1 by Microsoft and "Pen Point" by GO
Corporation in the USA.
The business grew to an annual production of 100,000 units by 2002,
increasing to 1 million units by 2006. Adoption of feel by Samsung
Electronics for their "Galaxy Note" flagship smartphone in 2011
accelerated this growth, building momentum. The annual volume in
fiscal year 2013 reached 43.5 million units thanks to the growing
smartphone market and diversifying customer base to include tablets
and e-books on Windows and Android OS.
In addition to the current EMR (Electro-Magnetic Resonance)
technology, Wacom will be adding two new types of electrostatic pen
technologies --- "Active ES" and "Passive ES" --- to achieve further
growth. With this "Multi-Technology Strategy" covering a wide range
from heavy to light user needs, Wacom will drive the penetration of
digital pens as a key interface tool on mobile products, and
demonstrate its long term commitment to its partners worldwide. (For
more details see Wacom's press release on March 11, 2014.) It is also
possible to assign a dedicated ID to each pen, identifying individual
users who can then collaborate, share and edit handwritten content via
the cloud. Security features can also be added to the ink data
exchanged on the cloud.
In February this year, Wacom announced "WILL (Wacom Ink Layer
Language)" which makes "digital ink" compatible across multiple
operating systems and hardware platforms. The Wacom Ink Layer Language
paves the way for "digital stationery" in which people can use digital
pens with mobile products and share content over the cloud. This
combination of WILL, the evolution in our pen technologies, and the
growth in how people use technology means that Wacom is in a uniquely
strong position to lead the movement towards the age of "digital
stationery" in collaboration with our industry partners.
About Wacom Founded in Japan in 1983, Wacom is now a global company
with offices around the world supporting marketing and distribution in
over 150 countries. For more than 30 years, Wacom has worked with the
most creative people and organisations to inspire and equip them to
make the world a more creative place.
Wacom's products have been used by loyal customers to create some of
the most exciting digital art, films, special effects, fashion and
product designs. They have also played a significant role in making
technology accessible in a natural and intuitive way through pen
tablets, interactive pen displays, digital interface solutions, stylus
products and creative companions. These all make it possible for
everyone to express their creativity in digital media, whether
artists, business executives or people enjoying everyday creativity.
Wacom's interface technologies are offered as OEM solutions to leading
manufacturers with Wacom feel IT technologies found integrated into
the PC, tablet and smart phone products of many strategic partners
around the world.
*Wacom, feel are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Wacom Co.,
Ltd.
*All other trademarks and product names are property of their
respective companies.
Tel:+81-3-5337-6702 E-mail: Wacom-pr(at)wacom.co.jp
Components Business Unit, Wacom Co., Ltd E-mail:
comp-info-jp(at)wacom.co.jp
Homepage:http://www.wacom.com/en/us/business/technology-solutions
Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130204/SF52627LOGO
SOURCE Wacom
-0- 04/24/2014
/Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130204/SF52627LOGO
/Web Site: http://www.wacom.com
CO: Wacom
ST: Japan Washington
IN: CPR PEL HRD CSE
PRN
-- SF12104 --
0000 04/24/2014 12:00:00 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
