Press Release
Wacom launches a single-chip solution to improve mobile phone usability and speed new application adoption
Wacom's proven inductive pen sensing technology now integrated into a single mobile IC
VANCOUVER, Wash., September 27, 2004 - Wacom today announced its new W8002 mixed-signal IC. Developed to meet the needs of mobile phone and other consumer electronics manufacturers, it allows the easy integration of Wacom's proven inductive pen sensing technology into mobile devices, such as Smartphones and personal digital assistants. With the W8002 single chip solution, Wacom's inductive pen sensing technology will, for the first time, help developers overcome the limitations of increasingly complex mobile device user interfaces. Wacom's cordless, battery-free pen with flight point feature (the ability to hover without touching the screen) and pressure sensing capability will accelerate the development and adoption of a range of new 'killer' mobile applications. The W8002 is an integral part of Wacom's Penabled™ inductive pen sensing solution. This is made up of the W8002 embedded sensor and an ultra-slim cordless and battery-free pen. The W8002 will be sampled to customers in the third quarter of 2004. "The Wacom W8002 sensor controller will help mobile device manufacturers take the functionality of mobile phones to the next level," said Joseph Deal, CEO and President, Wacom Technology Corporation. "Service adoption to increase mobile operator revenue will rely as much on the interface as on the applications and computing performance of the device. The capability to integrate Wacom's Penabled technology into a single chip removes the device usability restrictions imposed by existing technologies to make input and navigation simple for the consumer. " Wacom's Penabled technology is an inductive pen sensing system that offers numerous advantages over standard incumbent technologies based on resistive touch systems. The sensor is embedded behind the display, which ensures that the display is more durable, achieves 100 percent luminous light transmission and eliminates color washout. Additional advantages include the flight point feature, increased pressure sensitivity, increased input area and more accurate input control. To date, mobile device manufacturers have been held back by the limitations of increasingly complex user interfaces caused by the limitations of keypad and simple touch screen interfaces. The Wacom W8002 sensor controller provides a richer feature set and enables a three-dimensional interface that introduces a new concept in user interface and application solutions. The W8002's advanced feature set enables new interface functions, such as application zooming, flight point feature and digital signature recognition. It also enables the easy manipulation of different applications and the ability to switch smoothly between them. The W8002 is available in either a 64- or 84-pin BGA package, depending on the sensor board size and the form factor of the display. It contains all the functions required of a high-resolution inductive pen sensing solution. It has been engineered to operate under a wide operational temperature range from -30 degrees to + 85 degrees Celsius, and power consumption has been optimized to support extended battery life capabilities in portable devices. Wacom is the world leader in the graphics tablet industry and the key supplier of user interface technology for the Microsoft Tablet PC, working with manufacturers, including Toshiba, Fujitsu, HP, Acer and other leading Tablet PC manufacturers. Wacom's technology has been proven in more than 10 million standard graphics tablets, LCD tablets and pen-computers since its introduction in 1983. Wacom is already a Symbian Platinum Partner and is working closely with Symbian on the development of small form factor sizes for all Symbian platforms including Series 60. The Symbian operating system has been licensed to all the major mobile handset manufacturers, including Nokia, Sony Ericsson and Siemens. About Wacom Wacom is best known for having introduced the world's first cordless, battery-free, pressure-sensitive pen in America in 1989. Wacom Co., Ltd., a worldwide corporation, is headquartered in Japan. It operates through its wholly owned subsidiaries: Wacom Technology Corp., Vancouver, WA; Wacom Europe GmbH, Dusseldorf, Germany; and Wacom Components of Europe, Cambridge, UK. Wacom and Penabled are both registered trademarks of Wacom Co., Ltd. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners. For more information: Jessie Glockner Rainier Corporation 978-464-5302 x140 jessie@rainierco.com