stylus
21 ResultsDictionary
stylus
(1) A pen-shaped instrument that is used to "draw" images or select from menus. Styli (plural of stylus, pronounced "sty-lye") come with devices employing small, resistive screens that require...
Dictionary
Definition: stylus
(1) A pen-shaped instrument that is used to "draw" images or select from menus. Styli (plural of stylus, pronounced "sty-lye") come with devices employing small, resistive screens that require pressure to activate, such as earlier Palm PDAs.
However, a special type of stylus is available for smartphones and tablets with capacitive touch screens that are normally operated by finger movement. Some people find the stylus more comfortable, especially if they have large fingers. See stylus pen, light pen and digitizer tablet.
PDA Styli
A stylus was common on Palm PDAs, which required pressure on the screen to operate. These styli came with Palm organizers.
(2) The needle part of a phonograph cartridge, which typically contains a diamond tip. The stylus rides in the grooves of the phonograph record, picking up the vibrations carved into the vinyl, and is attached to a cantilever arm with a magnet or coils at the other end (see phono cartridge). A wide variety of cartridge styles have been used over the years, and there is a huge number of replacement styli available on the market. For more information, visit Jerry Raskin's Needle Doctor at www.needledoctor.com.
When Needles Were Needles
The steel needles at the top were used in old Victrola 78 record players like the unit underneath. They were later replaced with sapphire tips to last longer. The \"needle\" name obviously came from the long shape of the first styli. (Top image courtesy of Jerry Raskin's Needle Doctor, www.needledoctor.com)
A Modern Stylus
The stylus on this Grado magnetic phono cartridge is diamond tipped. Vibrating in the vinyl record's groove, the stylus transfers the oscillations to the cantilever and magnets. (Image courtesy of Grado Laboratories, www.gradolabs.com)
THIS DEFINITION IS FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY
All other reproduction is strictly prohibited without permission from the publisher.
© 1981-2010 The Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved.
Sponsored White Papers, Webcasts & Resources
-
Simplified Management in the Real World with VMware vCenter Operations
With so much of your network becoming virtual, it can be difficult to visualize and manage things. Check out this webcast to learn more about simplified management in a virtualized world.
-
Samsung Galaxy Notes: The rebirth of the stylus
Samsung now has two tablets that accept input from an included stylus. We'll have to see if buyers want them.
-
In defense of the Galaxy Note's stylus
Just because you didn't like Samsung's commercial doesn't make the stylus any less valid.
-
Samsung Galaxy Note goes big (photos)
It's a phone, it's a tablet, it's both? We peer at the Galaxy Note's 5.3-inch (!) screen and stylus as the jumbo phone finally hit U.S. shores.
-
How to make a capacitive stylus (photos)
A step-by-step tutorial on making a touchscreen-compatible pen for your tablet or smartphone using inexpensive parts from around your home or office.
-
Samsung Note: 5.3-inch phone with a stylus
The Samsung Note smartphone was unveiled today packing a massive (for a phone) 5.3-inch Super AMOLED display and pen input.
-
-
HTC Flyer digital stylus to be sold separately, priced at $79
HTC is breaking hearts with the confirmation that the Flyer will not come bundled with its digital stylus. Those hearts will be further broken once customers discover that the stylus will sell for...
-
Hands-on review: Kensington Virtuoso Touch Screen Stylus and Pen
When the iPad 2 was announced, there were plenty of third-party manufacturers ready to answer the call for accessories. Kensington unleashed a slew, and here's a hands-on review of the Virtuoso...
-
Wacom Bamboo Stylus for iPad
Wacom, a longtime maker of digitizer tablets, has offered its own stylus solution for the iPad.
-
Interesting Apple patent on pen input
The current generation of iOS devices are all about finger input. However, a recently-awarded patent shows that Cupertino is seriously exploring pen input.
-
My top 5 iPad accessories
If you already have an iPad or are hoping for one this holiday season, here's a quick rundown of the accessories that I use daily.
-
The iPad could soon replace the need for pen and paper
With a stylus, pressure sensitivity, and palm rejection, pen and paper's days are numbered.
-
Forget the iPhone, the iPad could use a stylus
For drawing and other fine work, a stylus for the iPad doesn't sound like too bad an idea.
-
HTC patent shows stylus for capacitive displays
We see details from lots of Apple patents on new technology posted on the Internet and there are some that show cool technology while others are way out ideas that we will probably never see...
-
HTC magnet-on-a-stick tackles touchscreen writing
A new HTC patent application points to a novel way of combining capacitive touchscreens with stylus use — putting a magnetic head on the stylus.
-
Nokia announces 5800 XpressMusic touch screen S60 device
I have to admit that I never tried the mid-range Nokia XpressMusic devices before and always considered them as "feature phones for the masses", but with this latest announcement I think I'll have...
-
Samsung OMNIA first impressions show that Windows Mobile can beat the iPhone
I wrote about my Samsung OMNIA buying experiences in Singapore and wanted to post a first impressions article as I continue to work on a full review of the device. I purchased the 16GB white...
-
New ebook reader too expensive, slick features
The iRex iLiad (any chance we could dispense with the lower-case i prefixes?) was recently reviewed by Ars Technica. While at $600, the reader is too expensive by far for mainstream (or even...
-
What happens at PMA...
I'm headed off to PMA in Vegas tomorrow morning, but it's obvious that what happens at PMA doesn't stay at PMA...it often comes before PMA. So here's a rundown of the pre-PMA camera announcements...
-
The Palm Centro; at $99.99 it really isn't a tough choice
I started using Palm OS devices back in 1997 and went through several Palm and Sony CLIE models. The last Palm OS device I used was the Treo 650, which I used for about a year (almost a record for...
-
Image Gallery: T-Mobile Wing Professional device
T-Mobile released an update to their successful T-Mobile MDA/HTC Wizard device that has an updated sleek form factor and significantly improved keyboard. The T-Mobile Wing is a Windows Mobile 6...
The best of ZDNet, delivered
ZDNet Newsletters
Get the best of ZDNet delivered straight to your inbox
Vendor Showcase
