Wacom has introduced the Intuos4 Wireless professional pen tablet, featuring Bluetooth technology. The device will cost $399 and begin shipping in the U.S. and Canada by early March. It's compatible with OS X 10.4.8 or higher.
Targeted to the creative community of photographers, designers, and artists, the device is designed for collaborative work, classroom settings, home and office, and any occupation in which users want freedom of movement without having to attach the tablet to their computer. Bluetooth, a communications protocol, lets the tablet communicate reliably over a range of up to 33 feet, according to the company. The Intuos4 Wireless features USB charging directly from the computer.
"Professional and serious creatives are drawn to the intuitive nature and overall experience offered by the Intuos4," said Don Varga, senior product manager for Wacom's professional products. "By combining the successful Intuos4 pen tablet design with Bluetooth wireless technology we are able to provide users with the flexibility and freedom to work in the most comfortable way for drawing, editing, painting, retouching, or general computer work."
Design details
Available in medium size only, with an active area of 8.8 by 5.5 inches, the Intuos4 Wireless has a slim, ergonomic, and asymmetrical design that puts its Touch Ring and customizable ExpressKeys on one side of the tablet. This makes them all available to the user's non-dominant hand. The application-specific ExpressKeys give users easy access to commonly used commands.
Illuminated (OLED) displays remind users of the function of each ExpressKey. The settings are application-specific, and the displays update as the user switches between applications. To switch the tablet from right-hand to left-hand use, the user can rotate the tablet 180 degrees and change the orientation of the illuminated icons within the Wacom Tablet driver software.
The Touch Ring can control up to four different functions in any program. A button located in the center of the ring toggles the ring between application-specific functions such as zoom, scroll, brush size adjustment, or canvas rotation. The position of the illuminated LED along the Touch Ring's perimeter indicates the current function.
Intuos4 Grip Pen
The Grip Pen that ships with the Intuos4 Wireless features the company's proprietary Tip Sensor technology. The pen offers users near-zero (one gram) starting pressure and has 2048 levels of pressure to enhance feedback and control in applications that support pressure sensitivity. The Grip Pen also features a pressure-sensitive eraser and two customizable side switches that can be set for commands such as double-click and right-click. A clip-on pen holder secures the pen to the tablet when not in use. A weighted desktop pen stand functions as both a pen holder and a twist-off storage compartment for pen nibs and a nib removal tool. The tablet ships with standard, felt, stroke, and flex nibs.
Software and accessories
Besides the tablet driver, Wacom has also included a choice of bonus software via download at no extra charge. Buyers can download Nik Color Efex Pro WE6 and Wacom Brushes 3.0, both plug-ins for Adobe Photoshop and Photoshop Elements. They can also choose two out of the following three programs: Abobe Photoshop Elements 6, Autodesk SketchBook Pro 2010, and Corel Painter Sketch Pad.
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