3M Touch Systems releases capacitive touch pens

HARDWARE OUTFIT 3M Touch Systems has launched a couple of touch pens that can be used to navigate multi-touch input devices.

Dubbed the 3M Smart Pen, the device is apparently compatible with many capacitive touchscreen devices but 3M Touch Systems only names Apple's Ithings as the obvious targets for its product.

The MHP-1000 3M Smart Pen was developed to look like a traditional pen and comes in black, grey, pink and titanium silver. The company has also thrown in a shiny clip attachment to add a touch of bling and make you feel important.

The slightly more expensive MJP-3000 is out in black, navy blue, pink and titanium silver and has a detachable lid. Take the lid off and the pen can be attached to the speaker jack of a portable device. Very Bond-like, if somewhat baffling.

Both pens have anti-friction properties and the company claims that means you'll get better navigation control, especially if you're wearing gloves. Talk about narrowing your audience down.

We thought touch pen inputs had gone the way of the Dodo since hardware vendors have decided that your fleshy digits are the number one navigation devices these days. However, that hasn't stopped 3M Touch Systems from concluding that there are many potential situations where the pen is mightier than the finger.

In fact, the company claims that there are various usage scenarios but only mentions the gloves. We think 3M Touch Systems missed a chance to sell to people with flat, oversized fingers or really long fingernails that scratch their Ithing's screen in use.

The MHP-1000 and MJP-3000 touch pens are available now at Amazon US for $15.99 and $18.99, respectively. µ