The Mintpad has all the markings of a Yanko: it is tiny and beautiful and more wishful than practical. Essentially, the Mintpad is a tiny Post-It note sized Wacom with built-in WiFi that will let you send full color notes to any other Mintpad owners... all five of them.

It's essentially a dedicated platform for the Nintendo DS's Pictochat, which is a good idea... just don't expect to get a lot of use out of that primary function. Luckily, the MintPad does more than just that: it's also a portable media player, camera and web browser, with 4GB of internal memory.

It all adds up to a rather unique little DAP that sets itself apart from the competition with a single unique function that will only go unappreciated because the community it depends upon will likely not be there. It's on sale now in Korea for $156.

Mintpass Mintpad [Official Site via DVICE]

Multi-touch looks set to be the next big thing, and Wacom recently introduced its new multi-touch solution at WinHEC 2008, letting users not only navigate but control a computer with multiple fingers ala iPhone and iPod touch. The Wacom tablet is small enough in size, allowing them to release it in multiple sizes. Features include a speed of 100 fps, a pointing accuracy of within 0.5mm and a resolution of 200 ppi. We will definitely look forward to future notebooks and computers that integrate the multi-touch technology from Wacom.

Add a comment | From: Wacom Offers Multi-touch Solution | Visit Ubergizmo | Good deals

This auction is for the one-of-a-kind "Archbishop" Gothic PC built by the popular steampunk fabricator and artist, Richard R. Nagy a.k.a "Datamancer" of www.datamancer.net, whose work has been featured on Newsweek, the N.Y. Times, the Wall Street Journal, Boston Globe, ForbesLife, The Robb Report, IEEE Spectrum and many other publications.

The Archbishop is a full, 4-piece desktop combo. Included is the intricately hand-crafted wood-and-stained-glass PC case which houses a mid-level gaming PC with Athlon dual-core processor, a 20" LG LCD built into a gothic arch with stained glass doors, a polished brass keyboard with wooden faceplate, cloth cord, quatrefoil design, and genuine antique typewriter keys, and lastly, a Wacom drawing tablet (with both pen and mouse) that is hidden within a gorgeous antique book with a hidden compartment for peripherals.

It's the perfect communications nerve center for The Bishop:

Auction [eBay via BornRich]

Wacom is a name familiar to those who use drawing tablets with their PCs, and this time round the company will release CapPLUS - capacitative touch panels which will be used in desktop monitors and vertical market equipment from next year onwards. Although they can be as small as 3", we're not sure whether portable devices will see much use of CapPLUS, as the size can increase all the way to 46". This new technology is touted to surpass regular touch screen displays in numerous ways including greater accuracy and precision, bypassing drifts in calibration and sensitivity, as well as the ability to function even though one is wearing surgical or other similar thin gloves. When combined with Wacom’s curren active touch screen technology, you get a unique choice of finger or stylus control with the device.

Add a comment | From: Wacom CapPLUS Capacitive Touch Panels | Visit Ubergizmo | Good deals

It’s a widely known fact that graphic designers use a tablet to do their magic and spells, great art work. Known fact too that most graphic designers would prefer to use Macs over PCs. I’ve used both, and am not a real pro to notice the difference but them that are (!) use Macs. At least those I know. :)

Mod company Axiotron was focused on GeekBrief.tv today, and it’s about their work on the Macbook.

The Axiotron Modbook® is a revolutionary slate-style tablet Mac that enables users to draw and write directly on the screen – available now through Axiotron Authorized Resellers or by transforming your existing computer using Axiotron Modservice™.

Their process involves integrating the Apple Macbook with state-of-the-art Wacom® pen-enabled digitizer technology PLUS Axiotron’s own proprietary hardware and software components into a complete tablet solution, the Axiotron Modbook.

The price for transforming your Macbooks to this wonder is US$2,199.

The Axiotron Modbook operates on the Mac OS® X platform. It has 2.1GHz-plus of processing speed, 1GB-plus of memory, and the full-range of Apple MacBook connectivity via Ethernet, USB, FireWire®, Bluetooth and AirPort®.
Every Modbook also comes equipped with a built-in iSight® camera, optical drive and Global Positioning System (GPS).

In this particular case the Cintiq 12WX a 12" widescreen monitor blended with a Wacom graphics tablet.

So after the Bamboo Fun review the other week, how is this one going to fair.

The Wacom Cintiq 12WX

What's in the box?

• Cintiq 12WX Pen Display
• Video Control Unit
• Grip Pen
• Pen Stand
• Replacement Pen Nibs
• DVI, VGA, USB, and Power Cables
• Power Adapter
• User Manual
• Installation CD
• Adobe® Photoshop® Elements (6.0 WIN / 4.0 MAC) for editing, retouching, enhancing, organizing, and sharing digital photos
• Corel® Painter™ Essentials 4.0 for creating natural media art and turning photos into paintings

General

Wacom are well known and well respected in the field of graphics tablets. They have, relatively recently, started doing a range called Cintiq where a LCD and a graphics tablet are combined into a single object. The obvious upside of this is that you are literally drawing onto the screen just like painting or drawing with a brush or pencil onto paper. This means there is much less technology between you and your work.

The first thing that struck me with the box is that it was larger than I thought it would be, especially as some people were talking about using this as a portable unit to go with their laptop.

But anyway, let's unpack it all.

First off you come across the Cintiq display itself, very pretty :D. It's immediately obvious that the Cintiq is an extension of the Intuos 3 range, the casing is very similar to the A5 Intuos 3. The big difference is the LCD that is laid into the middle of the unit.

As you can see from the full specs below, that screen is 10.3"x6.4", 1280x800 pixels and supports 24bit colour depth.

As you can see there are a group of 5 buttons to both the left and the right of the LCD. The large 'bar' on the outside of these buttons is actually a slider sensor, which is very useful for scrolling or zooming your images. All of these buttons can be reconfigured to commonly used 'modifier' keys that you are likely to want to use whilst you are in your programs.

Underneath the display there is a fold out stand that will hold the Cintiq at a more comfortable working angle, but if you prefer to use the unit flat or in your lap, then just fold it back in, it tucks away very neatly.

Cintiq Stand

The only connection on display is at the back/top and this goes to the Video Control Unit. Basically the power and the computer video signals coming to the display go into this box as does the USB connection and then a single cable runs to the display. I think they've done this to try and minimise the amount of cables you are dragging around if you are moving the display whilst working. The buttons on the Video Control Unit allow you to change the settings on the monitor just as you would on any display, things like contrast, brightness, colour temperature - all the normal controls.

Mac users should be aware that if they have the mini-dvi connector then they will need to get an adaptor to use this product as the included cables will only connect to either VGA or DVI-I.

Cintiq Video Control unit

The pen has a little stand and some replacement nibs for when you wear the one in the pen down :D. Like most tablet pens it has a nib and an eraser - in this case both have 1024 pressure sensitivity levels.

Centiq tablet pen

There are also a couple of pieces of art software included - Adobe Photoshop Elements 5 and Corel Painter Essentials 4.0

Wacom Cintiq 12WX Specification:

GENERAL

• Overall dimensions: 16" wide x 10.5" high x .67" depth
• Weight: 4.4 lbs. with video control unit
• Data port: USB
• Graphics input: Analog RGB (HD 15pin) or digital DVI (29 pin)
• Display connector: Proprietary DFP - DVI-I on video control box
• Display adapters included: DVI-I to VGA, DVI-I to DVI-D
• Stand adjustability: Flat on desktop, 25°to 60°
• Rotation: 360° flat position on pivot
• Mounting hole pattern: VESA 75mm
• Power supply input: 100-240 VAC 50-60 Hz
• Power supply output: 12 VDC 3.3A
• Warranty: 2 years

DISPLAY

• Aspect Ratio: 16:10
• Screen size: 12.1" diagonal
• Display area: 10.3" wide x 6.4" high
• Native resolution: WXGA (1280x800)
• Total pixels: 1,024,000
• Number of colours: 16.7 million
• Pixel pitch: 0.204mm x 0.204mm
• Brightness: 180 cd/m2
• Contrast ratio: 600:1
• Viewing angle: 85°/85° H, 85°/85° V
• Color management: ICC profile, 6500° K whitepoint default
• Color management control: DDC/CI

INTERACTIVE FEATURES

• Technology: Patented electromagnetic resonance method
• Resolution: 5080 lines per inch
• ExpressKeys: 10 user-assignable
• Touch Strips: 2 finger-sensitive, front mounted

PEN

• Type: Pressure-sensitive, cordless, battery-free
• Switches: Tip switch, 2 side switches, eraser
• Pressure levels: 1,024
• Tilt range: +/- 60°
• Grip: Latex-free silicone rubber
• Model: ZP-501ESE
• Nibs included: 3 standard, 1 stroke, 1 felt
• Optional pens: 6D Art Pen, Airbrush, Classic

REVIEW

Having had a play with the Bamboo Fun before this I was looking forward to seeing one of Wacom's more professionally targeted devices to see how they compare.

Straight out of the box this is a much slicker looking unit (as it should be for the price difference). It's immediately obvious that the Cintiq 12WX has benefited from Wacom's experience with their Intuos range of products. The buttons placed on either side mean that the device is equally suitable for left or right handed users, the stand allows people that want to have a tilted display to work that way without having to find something on the desk to rest it on, and the single cable at the top of the unit means that you can turn and twist the display to a position that is best for you whilst you work, without having to worry about yanking lots of cables around the desk. You won't believe how thin the display is until you have it in your hands either :D

The unit is straight forward to setup - you connect the Video Control Unit (VCU) to the PC with either a VGA or DVI-I connection and a USB cable, you then plug the power into the VCU - then finally the display connects on other side of the VCU with a single custom cable. Drivers are included on the CD, though the first thing I always do with this sort of thing is download new drivers.

The display can be set as primary monitor or as a secondary monitor (or third or fourth I suppose for those with multi card setups) - personally I connected it to the DVI-I output of my graphics card and set it up as a secondary monitor, extending the desktop.

The first thing to do is to go into the driver setup and realign the pen - this asks you to click on some crosses on the screen so that it can check the pen alignment with the screen position (more on this later). All nicely lined up, let's get going.

I booted up my favourite art package, created a new document and started doodling. Instantly this was a different experience to the Bamboo of the other week or my other cheap tablet. The most obvious point is that because the monitor is part of the display you feel that you are interacting directly with the screen, it is suddenly just like normal drawing or painting as the pen appears to lay 'ink' into the screen. The pen moves smoothly over the display without much resistance, but enough to let you sense the resistance to your pen pressure - very nice.

The real difference for me was the way the pen performed - it was doing exactly what I wanted it to. This seems like an obvious thing to say really, but it makes all the difference for art work. With other tablets I've used the sensitivity of the pen just hasn't been high enough to sense subtle differences in the pressure that I applied, meaning that whilst the location was usually fine I couldn't predict the weight of the line I was drawing. With the Cintiq 12WX it claims 1024 levels of pressure sensitivity, and whilst I can't exactly check that, I can confirm that it is a completely different quality to anything I've used before.

The tablet underneath the screen has a rating of 5080 lines per inch, so accuracy of the position of the pen is never going to be a problem either.

The ExpressKey buttons on each side of the display can be reassigned to various functions - the neatest of which, I found, was flipping between monitors so that the pen was now controlling my primary display. This meant that I could put all my pen tools on one screen and just the drawing area on the Cintiq.

The screen of the 12WX is 1200x800 pixels, which some people may think is too small but personally I found it fine once I'd pushed my tools onto the primary display area. The slider control then let me zoom in and out of the images, whilst a quick press of an ExpressKey let me drag the image about. The screen being the size it is means that the sensor is about an A5 size, which I found very comfortable to work with, things were never that far away so at no point was I having to make huge hand movements.

All of which made for a very pleasant experience.

Like most graphics tablet pens the 12WX pen has a nib and an eraser, which in actual fact are just detected as 2 different pens within most packages so you can make the eraser function as something else if you prefer. A quick flip of the pen and you can rub out your mistakes - or being on a computer just a quick CTRL-Z :D

I really enjoyed using the Cintiq 12WX, but I did run into a one small hiccup whilst using the display.

When you realign the pen you are realigning it based on your drawing position at the time of clicking on the little crosses. If you move your position or the tablet then you are no longer aligned up quite the same way - this is because of the plastic surface between the pen nib and the LCD surface. It's there for the protection of the LCD surface, but that thickness means that the pen nib is never quite 'touching' the LCD display, so as you manoeuvre the tablet around or you shift in your chair you are changing the angle you are looking at the screen through this plastic, which changes the perceived alignment slightly.

It's only a few millimetres of plastic but it does affect the viewing angle slightly. It means that every time you (or anyone else for that matter) sit down to use the tablet your position will be slightly different to last time, so you will need to realign the pen again, and if you do end up twisting the display  to get a better drawing angle, then you will likely need to realign again.

For me this became a frustration.

This may be just me though, as I've seen lots of online videos of people very happily drawing away with their Cintiq's (and with far more skill than me I should add).

Matt also had a chance to play with the Cintiq for a little while. Matt had a chance to use the tablet to do some photo editing for touching up and background removal. He found that using a tablet drastically reduced the amount of time that these tasks take and made many of the edits he was making much easier to achieve than using a mouse.

Matt also decided to use his creative flair and although, by his own admission, he is no artist managed to achieve some great results as you can see from the painting he did below.

Matt's painting of Walt Disney

Highlights

• viewing angle of the monitor is excellent
• pen sensitivity is excellent

Lowlights

• alignment became frustrating for me personally

Conclusion

I really do like the 12WX, but my frustration with the alignment led to me try using the display as a traditional tablet to draw on my primary monitor. I was much happier working this way as I wasn't visually expecting the pen and the display to be aligned, I just watched the cursor position. So personally, I think I'd get an Intuos 3 - but I can certainly understand the appeal of the Cintiq 12WX, and if you are getting a tablet then I would certainly recommend trying the Cintiq 12WX to see what you think.

Review by: Iain

Tags: apple, axiotron, macbook, modbook, tablet pc, wacom

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If you’re counting on your child’s artistic skills to fund your retirement, you’ll want to start fostering their creative side as soon as possible. And while crayons and paper make for a perfectly suitable creative outlet, your kid’s masterpieces won’t be that easy to email to the local galleries as you build up their reputation. But this KidiArt Studio drawing desk from VTech not only allows your kids to produce email-friendly digital-only works of art, but also features an integrated digital camera on an arm allowing you to snap pics of works done in more traditional mediums like finger paints, macaroni and of course crayons.

The KidiArt Studio desk also features a Wacom-esque kid-friendly stylus for drawing on the tablet surface and can be connected to a TV or a PC for showing off their creations. In fact, in its PC connect mode the desk and the camera can even be used to create stop motion or hand-drawn animations using the included software. At $79.99 from VTech it’s considerably more expensive than an Etch-A-Sketch, but it also won’t limit your child’s creativity to just two twisty knobs.

[ VTech KidiArt Studio ] VIA [ Popgadget ]

$62.50, - Microsoft SideWinder X6 Keyboard - USB
$65.99, WACOM MTE450
$50.99, Kingston HyperX 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
$319.99, LINKSYS 10/100/1000Mbps Gigabit Workgroup Switch 5 ports
$269.00, Canon PowerShot SD880IS 10MP Digital Camera

More deals at www.Uberbargain.com

Add a comment | From: Deals of the Day | Visit Ubergizmo | Good deals

$62.50, Microsoft SideWinder X6 Keyboard - USB
$65.99, WACOM MTE450
$50.99, Kingston HyperX 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
$29.99, LINKSYS 10/100/1000Mbps Gigabit Workgroup Switch 5 ports
$269.00, Canon PowerShot SD880IS 10MP Digital Camera

More deals at www.Uberbargain.com

Add a comment | From: Deals of the Day | Visit Ubergizmo | Good deals