“Advances in both software applications and computer operating systems make this an ideal time for us to interact with computers in a more expressive and efficient manner,” says Dennis Hoff, Wacom’s consumer product manager. “Now, you can use a pen to create expressive content, personalize communications, and navigate more freely.”
Four programmable ExpressKeys are situated on the tablet surface to customize commonly used commands, such as “undo” or “copy.” A finger-sensitive Touch Ring has been positioned to allow for quick and easy zooming and scrolling. The textured work surface of the tablet provides an intuitive pen-on-paper feel, while the stylish and ergonomically designed pens allow users to experience seemingly unlimited levels of pressure sensitivity, to create variations of pen strokes, from fine lines to bold brush marks.
Bamboo and Bamboo Fun work in both Mac and PC (including Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Vista) environments. Available to consumers in two sizes and four colors, Bamboo Fun is well suited to digital photo enthusiasts; Bamboo Fun makes it easy to enhance photos and create artwork for scrapbooks, projects, and slide shows. Bamboo Fun includes software applications that embrace pen support and deliver greater control when editing photos or creating works of art, including Adobe Photoshop Elements 5 (Elements 4 for Mac users), which make it possible to quickly and easily edit and organize digital photos. Additionally, Nik’s Color Efex Pro 2 GE filtering software allows users to simply select and apply high-quality photographic enhancements with the stroke of a pen. For those with an artistic flair, the natural feel of the Bamboo Fun pen combined with the capabilities of Corel Painter Essentials 3, also included, makes creating artwork easy and fun.
In addition to Wacom’s patented cordless, battery-free pen, the Bamboo Fun mouse uses the same electro-magnetic resonance technology as the pen, offering quick response times and accuracy. Because the mouse has no ball, wires, or batteries, users discover a virtually maintenance free experience. When used alternately with a mouse, the Bamboo pen can effectively reduce repetitive motion and increase comfort and control. Bamboo Fun is offered in two sizes (small and medium) each in black, silver, white, or blue.
Getting the most out of business and communications software is now within easy reach with Bamboo, a rugged and elegant pen tablet designed specifically for the mainstream home or office computer user. Building on Wacom’s extensive experience developing pen-based input devices, the small pen tablet, in black only, provides the same hardware features as Bamboo Fun, except for the pressure-sensitive pen eraser and mouse. With a natural pen-on-paper feel, Bamboo makes it easy for users to personalize their workflow and collaborate with others by providing navigation and communication capabilities not available with alternative input devices.
Mac OS and Microsoft Windows Vista operating systems introduce significant pen input features to Bamboo users for a faster, easier and more efficient computing experience. For those on a Mac, Inkwell offers a variety of pen input features, allowing users to enter handwritten text anywhere typed text is accepted. Bamboo pen users working on a PC will covet the new Windows Vista-enabled note-taking resources, handwriting recognition, and time-saving gesture controls.
Users can select a pen or highlighter tool to mark-up documents, spreadsheets, presentation slides, and e-mail messages. Business uses include:
• Signing - sign contracts and initial forms
• Editing - edit all types of documents
• Organizing - highlight and aggregate Web research
• Annotating - jot notes during a meeting or class
• Brainstorming - sketch ideas and scribble down concepts
• Redlining - mark-up engineering plans
Available at retail in mid-September, Bamboo is priced at $79.99. Also available in September, Bamboo Fun, offered in two sizes (small, medium) costs $99.99 and $199.99, respectively.