From Logitech’s official Crayon specs page:
Using the same technology found in Apple Pencil®, Logitech Crayon delivers sub-pixel precision, lightning fast responsiveness, and dynamic tilt to bring new dimensions to learning.
Not quite the same as Apple Pencil. No pressure sensitivity. But it also sells for $49 versus the Apple Pencil’s $89 (since Crayon is only sold through Education market, makes sense to compare to Apple Pencil education price). For students, I suspect the Logitech Crayon will be just fine.
iPad has palm rejection technology that ignores any touch that doesn’t come from Logitech Crayon, so students can stop worrying about their hands and just focus on the task at hand.
And:
A flat shape prevents Logitech Crayon from rolling off desks or getting lost.
Hmm. I wonder why Apple doesn’t consider this.
Logitech Crayon has almost 8 hours of writing time between charges — enough for a full school day. Additionally, a fast charging option provides 30 minutes of battery in 90 seconds.
Lots of good stuff here. One important thing to note: The Crayon does not use Bluetooth. Its wireless frequency is specific to the iPad announced yesterday. Just as Apple Pencil will not work with an iPhone, Crayon will not work with other iPads.
All told, this seems a great solution for the education space. And the way I read this, looks like Crayon is only available through the Apple Education channel.
The Apple Pencil is asymmetrically weighted to help manage rolling off desks. I’m sure Apple did consider other shapes, but decided to go for the feel of the round pencil.
It definitely works—but it’s not perfect. If there’s any momentum it’ll still roll quite a bit.
Apple showed off a Logitech ruggedized case with keyboard that also had a loop on the top for the Crayon. I imagine the attrition rate would still be significant, but having a holder built into the case seems like smart move.
apple didn’t consider a flat shape for the pencil because (i’m guessing) square-ish writing instruments don’t feel nearly good in the hand when you’re using them, and that makes them less inviting to hold and use. that’s huge!
My number 2 pencils in school weren’t round. The few times I did have a round pencil, I didn’t like them any better. Give me a choice and I’ll probably still pick the hex-cut. For sure I’d drop it less often. So I guess “huge” is a personal judgment best kept away from exclamation points.
One thing I genuinely worry about, for both the Crayon and the Apple Pencil: how do students avoid getting them lost?
I’m an adult, and I’m super-disciplined, so I haven’t lost my Apple Pencil. I was in fact pretty obsessive about pens as an 8-year-old. But I still wouldn’t have trusted my younger self.
I guess it’s back to named pencil cases. 🙂
I’m really bummed that the Crayon is education only. I’d buy the new iPad and a Crayon if they were for sale to anyone.
i’ll keep the exclamation points, thanks. making a tool inviting to hold and use is a critical part of any industrial design. we all have a tool – a pen, a sharp knife, a hammer – that feels good in the hand, and that encourages its use, again and again. if i’m paying $99 for a stylus (or $49, for that matter) it had better feel right.
and i’m not arguing round vs hexagonal, i’m arguing round vs square.
I suspect Logitech will eventually roll out Crayon for the masses as the manufacturing catches up.
The question is, how much?
Apple Pencil is discounted by $10 for education customers. My guess would be between $59 and $69. $69 is all too close to Apple’s $99 price point.