[huggyface]

I don't personally understand everyone's need for a stylus.

I don't understand why it needs to be everyone. How about some people want a stylus, some people don't? (Which is why, for instance, Samsung has a tablet with a stylus, and a tablet without. They have a smartphone with a stylus, and a smartphone without. They didn't go all in on the stylus).

I can certainly see value for me, especially if it's pressure sensitive. Outside of obvious painting and drawing apps, even for something where you need to interact with small objects on the screen, using a big finger, obscuring the entire area you're trying to interact with with a meat sausage is suboptimal. Substituting a little appendage can be very useful.

But it isn't for everyone. Which is why I don't get the utter fearsome defensiveness about the stylus that many in the Apple camp seem to resort to (e.g. Gruber): It isn't for them, and that's great, but trying to mock others who might want it? That's just weird.

[Wickk]

It was a poor choice of words on my part, what I meant was; Everyone who does want one. I can understand under an artist viewpoint ( Ideally I would really like apps in the area to improve ) but you can easily get that in a touchscreen laptop. This just from my own personal use of my tablet but from most things I can see where I could care to use one I just ibstinctevely reach for my laptop.

Not trying to start a debate on stylus use, I'm sure those who use them with a tablet very good reasons for doing so. In my own personal life and opinion, I just don't see the need.

[mmahemoff]

Yeah I can see the value for niche uses/users, but the manufacturers are getting a bit too optimistic when they present it as a must-have killer feature.

Like the Note's Superbowl ad, where really the only noticeable difference (from a mainstream consumer's perspective) is the stylus. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V40oo4kkzHg

[huggyface]

Like the Note's Superbowl ad, where really the only noticeable difference (from a mainstream consumer's perspective) is the stylus.

It was a pitch for a specific product and thus highlighted the attributes of that product. If Samsung is presenting it as a must-have killer feature, why do so many of their products actually lack a stylus?

I also don't care if a vehicle can parallel park itself, yet if a manufacturer makes a model with that feature they're naturally going to highlight it.

[mmahemoff]

It just seems too niche for a Superbowl ad and the whole presentation of the ad makes it apparent the manufacturers believe they've revolutionised the tablet space with, behold...the stylus. Setting themselves up for disappointment.

[huggyface]

They've sold 2 million of them, and all reports are that they've seen great sales: I doubt they're disappointed. And while it is indeed a niche, but a very lucrative one. Further Samsung had no other new releases around the time of the Superbowl -- had the GS III been ready, I have no doubt they would have led with that.

It's a feature of a product. A feature that appeals to some, turns off others. That's how the whole choice thing works.

[mikeash]

People who want a stylus can buy one from a third party. Why does Apple have to provide it?