As for the existence of the stylus, in 2007, at the launch conference of the first generation iPhone, Father Joe said bluntly, "No one wants a stylus, and we are born with ten devices-our fingers." However, starting from 20 1 1, Samsung's flagship mobile phone Note series was released, and each generation of products was equipped with a stylus. The existence of S-Pen not only did not affect the sales volume, but became the essence of Note series products with high recognition. At the same time, Samsung also upgraded the S-Pen of each generation of products. Next, let's review the upgrade path of S-Pen in recent years.
Samsung S-Pen uses the electromagnetic induction technology of Japanese graphic tablet brand Wacom to make the electromagnetic signal emitted by S-Pen interact with the electromagnetic induction board behind the screen, providing users with more accurate operation than fingers. Meanwhile, the nib is equipped with a pressure sensor. When a user writes with an electromagnetic pen, the electromagnetic signal emitted by the electromagnetic pen will change due to different pressures. The electromagnetic induction board at the back of the screen shows different pressure induction effects according to the induction signal, which also allows users to get a realistic painting experience on Samsung Note. This is also the reason why S-Pen is not suitable for other capacitive screen phones.
Samsung Galaxy Note: the first generation of S-Pen appeared.
▲ Samsung Galaxy Note S-Pen (image from the network)
20 1 1 At IFA in Berlin, Germany, Samsung released a Samsung Galaxy Note with a 5.3-inch screen. In the year when the screen size of mainstream mobile phones was generally controlled at about 4 inches, 5.3 inches was definitely a giant screen, and even some consumers could not tell whether the machine was a tablet or a mobile phone. However, Samsung specially designed a built-in stylus for this product, which is very easy to use. The pen can be easily pulled out through a small part of the tail protruding from the back of the fuselage, which also made Samsung Galaxy Note an instant hit.
▲ Samsung Galaxy Note (picture from the network)
▲ Samsung Galaxy Note S-Pen usage scenario
The original S-Pen may have a single function now, but it has obvious characteristics compared with other stylus pens at that time. The pen is cylindrical in design, with a thin tip, which is more like a ballpoint pen as a whole. There is also a button on the pen. Just press and hold this button, and then press it on the screen with the pen tip for a long time, and you can complete the screenshot of the whole screen, and directly enter the editing mode for cutting and doodling. If you hold down this key and click twice on the screen at the same time, the phone will automatically pop up a small S memo window, which is very convenient to write records quickly. In order to increase the usage scene of S-Pen, Samsung has also specially upgraded S Note, so that users can doodle with S-Pen, and at the same time, they can recognize handwritten content and complete the function of converting handwriting into formulas and words.
Samsung Galaxy Note2: pressure enhancement +AirView technology
After the first product of Note was successfully harvested, the screen size of Note2 was further upgraded to 5.5 inches. The matching S-Pen is also longer in appearance than the first generation S-Pen, and the pen holder has become cylindrical and flat. At the same time, several stripes are added to the keys to facilitate the operation of the blind.
Note2' s S-Pen has been upgraded on the basis of the first generation, and the sensing range has been increased from 5.5pi to 6.5pi, with a larger sensing range and better touch response. At the same time, the pressure sensing is increased from 256 to 1024, which is closer to the real brush strokes. However, the most distinctive upgrade of this generation of S-Pen is AirView technology, which allows the stylus to operate the mobile phone without touching the screen. Similar to the hovering mouse in a computer, hovering can display video previews, which can also be realized in photo albums, emails, etc. Functionally, the S-Pen of Note2 has added quite practical functions, such as pen-lifting and shorthand, quick operation, easy clipping, irregular screen capture, etc., which provides a more convenient operating experience for business people of the target group of Note series.
Samsung Galaxy Note3: floating window description article window
Compared with Note2, the stylus length of Samsung Note3 is almost unchanged, except that the function key position is slightly higher and the pen holder diameter is smaller. The S pen of Note3 is symmetrically designed, and it can be inserted into the S pen slot regardless of right or wrong. Note3 also optimizes the shorthand function. When the pen is pulled out, it is no longer a single memo, but a semi-arc interface pops up. Samsung calls it "air command", which is much more flexible than Note2. The floating instruction set has five functions: smart memo, scrapbook, screenshot writing, search and article window.
The upgrade of S-Pen is not too much, but in some scenarios, it can really improve your efficiency. For example, when facing a large amount of data, you can easily call out the calculator by using the pen window, and the two windows can handle work at the same time; The "easy editing" function in S Note can not only be edited with S Pen (the system automatically matches more accurate pictures), but also combine classification with large screen to make "notes" more convenient and easy to use; With the drag-and-drop function, you can paste text and pictures in two windows.
Samsung Galaxy Note E4: Intelligent Selection of 2048 Pressure Sensing &; Quick notes
S-Pen is the DNA of Samsung Note series. The S-Pen hardware on Samsung Galaxy Note 4 supports 2048-level pressure sensing, which can better simulate the user's writing on the screen than before. And by replacing the pen tip with better damping, the effect of writing more smoothly on the screen is realized.
"Intelligent selection" is a new function of Note4 S-Pen. Users can intercept any area on the screen and save the area or realize the recognition of characters in the area. According to the test of regular typesetting articles, the recognition rate is almost 100%, which is very suitable for business people. Another new "quick note" is a function that Samsung emphasized at the Note4 conference. Users can use the camera to tell the blackboard to take pictures, and then the system will automatically identify what is important on the screen. Users can use S-Pen to annotate or add comments.
Samsung Galaxy Note5: ballpoint pen press design, screen off, fast writing.
This generation of S-Pen is more exquisite, with a matte texture, keeping it light and smart. The pen is placed in the fuselage, and it will pop up automatically when it is pressed lightly when necessary. The buttons on the top of the pen body are the same as ballpoint pens used in daily life. When you press it, there will be a comfortable click sound. When you hold it in your hand, you will really think it is a real pen.
Functionally, this S Pen of Samsung Galaxy Note5 has added a quick writing function under the screen, which is very practical for friends who are busy with their daily work or have frequent meetings. When the screen is black, as long as you take out the S-Pen, the screen will automatically pop up the handwriting interface. Users can directly input information and save it. There is no need to unlock the screen, quit the memo application and a series of tedious operations. The floating command is the symbol of the note sequence. Users can click the buttons on the S Pen stylus, and the mobile phone can exhale directly on any operation interface (watching videos and playing games). This time, practical functions such as intelligent multi-screenshot are added, and shortcuts can be added by themselves. Besides editing common files such as word, excel, ppt, etc., this time S-Pen also supports annotation of PDF files, and it is easy to add annotations and mark key points for PDF without using cross-platform or even third-party software.
Samsung Galaxy Note 7: 4096 pressure sensing IP68 dustproof and waterproof integrated Always On function.
The shape of the new S pen is basically the same as that of the previous generation, but the nib is thinner than that of the previous generation, from 1.6mm to 0.7 mm, and the pressure sensing is improved from 2048 to 4096, making the strokes more natural. It is worth mentioning that it supports IP68 waterproof and dustproof like Note7 mobile phone, and even supports underwater writing.
The biggest highlight of this function is the combination of the widely acclaimed off-screen quick writing in Note5 and the Always On function in Galaxy S7/S7 edge. By default, the always-on function can display the time and calendar. When the screen is black, pull out the S pen and immediately enter the off-screen quick writing interface. You can record information directly on the mobile phone screen and display it on the Always On interface, which really makes a memo. In addition, an interesting intelligent multi-screenshot (Gif animation) function has been added. Users will see an interesting video animation when they browse the web page or Weibo they are using. Users can select a video area to record screen 15 seconds through S Pen, and then a GIF image will be generated. Users can also modify Gif images twice through image software, such as adding logo or writing. In addition, the newly added small functions are quick browsing, translation and amplification that have been exposed for a long time before.