Stylus for accurate note taking

**Silverfern** · 12-12-2011, 12:18 AM

Ok, i had a post before, but now i bought the NEXXTECH COMBINATION STYLUS AND INK PEN from the source. I tested it out, turns out it doesnt really fit what i need it for (i need to take notes in class, so i need it to be accurate), so can anyone who have a good stylus for taking notes point me to something good? Thanks

**Trevante** · 12-12-2011, 12:48 AM

Honestly, I don't believe we're going to see any kind of stylus that will take notes as accurately as pen and paper will for the Playbook. Unless the Playbook has an active digitizer setup like the HTC Flyer or Samsung Galaxy Note (which I don't believe it does), using any stylus won't be any more accurate and precise than what you could write with your finger.

**alekza** · 12-12-2011, 12:50 AM

i'm a college student. I thought that getting a tablet would help me get rid of the notebooks. I have a Playbook which is a nice study partner. I have some friends who own that tablet from the fruit-that-must-not-be-named. A couple of them use stylus.

I've tried them all on my playbook [which has a screen protector] (including bamboo) and none seemed to be good enough for my needs, even thou they worked nicely on their iP##s.

I was pretty frustrated.

I ended up making a home-made stylus, and ironically have a better response than on those market items.

Rumor has it: there's gonna be an official stylus release soon. (soon in terms of RIM, right)... In the meantime.. i'm happy with my homemade thing. Works like a charm.

**Silverfern** · 12-12-2011, 01:02 AM

Originally Posted by alekza

i'm a college student. I thought that getting a tablet would help me get rid of the notebooks. I have a Playbook which is a nice study partner. I have some friends who own that tablet from the fruit-that-must-not-be-named. A couple of them use stylus.

I've tried them all on my playbook [which has a screen protector] (including bamboo) and none seemed to be good enough for my needs, even thou they worked nicely on their iP##s.

I was pretty frustrated.

I ended up making a home-made stylus, and ironically have a better response than on those market items.

Rumor has it: there's gonna be an official stylus release soon. (soon in terms of RIM, right)... In the meantime.. i'm happy with my homemade thing. Works like a charm.

How did you make it?? i really want one because we have 3~4 hours of lecture straight everyday, and taking notes on a PB would be more fun than taking notes on paper

**alekza** · 12-12-2011, 01:40 AM

Look for an old metallic pen.
Remove the tip and the ink, to make it be like a tube.
Attach piece of sponge (carefull with this, might scratch ur screen protector if you pic a sponge too rough) to one end or where the tip used to be.
Absorb 1-3 drops of water.. doesnt need to be wet , just a bit of water is enough for it to conduct.

Voilá

the short one looks better. I prefer this one.. and works well for me because i have small hands. My dad likes the larger version better, but he uses a stylus for his tab.

**Bairdo** · 12-12-2011, 02:07 AM

isn't OS 2.0 supposed to be bringing in the feature of using your phone as an input device? That would personally do the trick for me far more efficiently than using a stylus.

**marksasongko** · 12-12-2011, 02:45 AM

Originally Posted by Bairdo

isn't OS 2.0 supposed to be bringing in the feature of using your phone as an input device? That would personally do the trick for me far more efficiently than using a stylus.

you can't really draw/handwrite using your phone, can you?

**bbqkid8** · 12-12-2011, 06:08 AM

Originally Posted by alekza

Look for an old metallic pen.
Remove the tip and the ink, to make it be like a tube.
Attach piece of sponge (carefull with this, might scratch ur screen protector if you pic a sponge too rough) to one end or where the tip used to be.
Absorb 1-3 drops of water.. doesnt need to be wet , just a bit of water is enough for it to conduct.

Voilá

the short one looks better. I prefer this one.. and works well for me because i have small hands. My dad likes the larger version better, but he uses a stylus for his tab.

To eliminate the need for water, you can use conductive foam (the type that holds tiny electronic parts), wrap wire around it and run it through the pen then around the pen so that your hand is touching the wire as you're using it.

**kbz1960** · 12-12-2011, 06:35 AM

Originally Posted by alekza

Look for an old metallic pen.
Remove the tip and the ink, to make it be like a tube.
Attach piece of sponge (carefull with this, might scratch ur screen protector if you pic a sponge too rough) to one end or where the tip used to be.
Absorb 1-3 drops of water.. doesnt need to be wet , just a bit of water is enough for it to conduct.

Voilá

the short one looks better. I prefer this one.. and works well for me because i have small hands. My dad likes the larger version better, but he uses a stylus for his tab.

Quite inventive of you. Doesn't look like you could get that thin writing out of that big sponge lol.

**bounce007** · 12-12-2011, 06:44 AM

Originally Posted by Silverfern

Ok, i had a post before, but now i bought the NEXXTECH COMBINATION STYLUS AND INK PEN from the source. I tested it out, turns out it doesnt really fit what i need it for (i need to take notes in class, so i need it to be accurate), so can anyone who have a good stylus for taking notes point me to something good? Thanks

I don't know if it's the type of screen that the PlayBook uses or the software that is available but writing using a stylus on my iPad is noticeably better than my PlayBook. I hope we see improvements.

From videos that I've seen the HTC Flyer seems like the best bet for a tablet to take notes on. None can fully replace pen/pencil and paper though.

**mjs416** · 12-12-2011, 06:50 AM

Nice innovation in thread.

I just ordered a Targus stylus to be delivered tomorrow

Targus Universal Tablet Stylus, Dark Red | Staples®

I will let you know how it works out.

**mjs416** · 12-12-2011, 08:24 AM

Also - on a side note - what software are you folks using on your PB to be able to scribble notes? Looked on app world but it wasnt immediately apparent which ones people are using.

**Guyzer** · 12-13-2011, 05:04 AM

handrite android app in 2.0 beta is what im using. im waiting for a good stylus though.

regarding the one from rim I am curious if they would bother putting it through to production. I am still waiting for that kevin featured a while back. I know there are others on the market but I wonder if waiting for the rim accessories is a waste of time?

**marksasongko** · 12-13-2011, 05:40 AM

gen.paper, notesmartly, and picinote. I wish they would merge!!

**mjs416** · 12-14-2011, 07:23 AM

Just getting back to this thread.

Purchased a Targus stylus from Staples to use on my PB.

My opinion? Dont get it. The sponge is roughly the size of your fingertip so you cant produce fine lines like a pen or pencil.

**marksasongko** · 12-16-2011, 10:18 AM

so, a few days ago, I asked Kevin on twitter about playbook 1mm stylus support. It's a bit intrusive because he doesnt know me, but I just can't help it, I've just got to ask. He didn't reply... could it be because of the NDA and RIM is preparing for an awesome stylus?? *wishful thinking*

**olikq** · 12-20-2011, 09:37 AM

hello I usually use the electronic note taking besides it can remember me all my tasks on my e-mail and my phone.

**pacoman03** · 12-14-2012, 10:57 PM

Originally Posted by tomnjerry

Here's how I take notes with my playbook: The Pizza Binder

Did you really need to post this 11 times today (and probably still counting)? I understand that you want to promote your item, but don't go overboard.

**kill_9** · 12-14-2012, 11:17 PM

I finally had to buy LiveScribe smartpen and transfer the notes from the pen as a PDF document. While you cannot erase mistakes it allows for more natural note taking in class or meetings if you need to scribble notes or make sketches for future reference. Apple iPad users have an excellent product called Bamboo Paper (it is an application) that replicates the benefits of paper and pen/pencil on their tablet; too bad it is not available for the BlackBerry PlayBook.

**jpash549** · 12-15-2012, 01:14 PM

Ref to TomnJerry number of posts: If there weren't so many threads on note taking he wouldn't have to post his product info so many times. Looks like a practical idea for some but the price point is going to have to be pretty reasonable to sell many.

F2 · 12-15-2012, 02:07 PM

Since it did seem "spammy" I was reluctant to visit the site. I went just now - interesting mix of high tech and lower tech! Of course, the non-focusing bb phones could complicate the task but he could have used the bb voice recorder and had one less device!

**pacoman03** · 12-15-2012, 02:31 PM

Originally Posted by jpash549

Ref to TomnJerry number of posts: If there weren't so many threads on note taking he wouldn't have to post his product info so many times. Looks like a practical idea for some but the price point is going to have to be pretty reasonable to sell many.

Problem is, what he's doing is in violation of Crackberry rules. To violate once is one thing, to do it 11 times is another.

From "Posting Rules and Guidelines"- Posting Rules & Guidelines

No Advertising Policy

CrackBerry.com maintains a No Advertising policy in the forums. Individuals/Businesses may not make posts promoting the sale of their own or other competing stores Products (Accessories, Services, Software, Themes, etc.) or sales. Traffic Leaching is strictly prohibited. If you'd like to promote or advertise your Accessories, Services, Software, Themes etc. on CrackBerry.com please contact Kevin Michaluk directly. Kevin can be reached via email, kevin at crackberry.com.

Individuals looking to Sell or Swap personally owned items (i.e. Used Unlocked AT&T BlackBerry 8700 for Sale) may post in the Buy & Sell forum.

Please note, if individuals (not related to the company selling a product or service) post on an item that is or becomes available in the ShopCrackBerry.com store, if available for the same price or less we reserve the right to update posts to this link (gotta keep in business!).

**jpash549** · 12-16-2012, 01:47 AM

Seems like a gray area to me. If an app developer puts an app in the BB app world or revises an existing app he can post in this forum and this is an advertisement for that app. I don't object to that because it is information I want to have. Similarly TomnJerry posted information about an interesting approach to note taking. There was no attempt to sell that I paid any attention to. Sure he pointed out that he hoped to commercialize the idea. But note that he gave enough information that you could make your own . Basically all it is is a way to make a fairly compact white board with several notebook size pages. Not being a patent attorney don't even know whether it is even patentable. You certainly can't patent the use of camera or recorder along with it. Isn't there also a rule against unnecessary repetitive posts or is that left solely up to the moderators judgement?