This YouTube video shows Apple Pencil with iPad Pro vs Surface Pen with Surface Pro 4 being used in slow-mo with the aim to compare response times.

Ever since the launch of the original iPhone and subsequently the iPad, it’s been patently obvious that the fruit company feels the touch interface is manageable without the involvement of any kind of stylus. A prominent feature of the PDA, the stylus has been rejuvenated by Samsung (S Pen) along with others, and now it looks as though Apple is also considering an adaptation of the digital wand. Naturally, Apple has tweaked a few things around in order to secure a deal of uniqueness, but published patent filing number 166726 shows Apple is more than willing to break the mold in line with the changing face of the market.

Touch is a now the dominant method of input for mobile devices. Although touchscreen based devices have existed for a long time, they were popularized and made user friendly with the introduction of the iPhone in 2007 and iPad in 2010. In his original iPhone keynote, Steve Jobs categorically stated that if the device requires a stylus, you’re doing something wrong. And we tend to agree with him to some extent, emphasis on extent.

When the iPhone first came out, it was the first ever mainstream device of its kind to be powered by a multi-touch display. Before then, people would use a pen, otherwise known as a Stylus, in order to interact with mobile devices.