Flexible tablet technology

Wacom, a manufacturer of pen tablets and interactive pen displays, is bringing Bamboo to the region - Bamboo is its new, flexible consumer pen tablet tool perfect for freehand writing, annotating, and navigating using a variety of computer applications.

While your first thought might be that the keyboard and mouse are sufficient tools for data entry, Bamboo is extremely versatile and has a wide range of uses: from simple tasks such as making notes, to the most sophisticated applications including retouching photos.

It is a consumer pen tablet for personalised communication, easy navigation and enhanced functionality.

Giri Rajan from Wacom says: "Bamboo today reinvents the pen for the 21st century. It unlocks enhanced pen-based features in Microsoft Vista, Office 2007 or Mac OS offering a new way to interact with the computer. Bamboo provides a simpler, more natural way to navigate through information or create documents with greater impact."

The new incarnation of the tablet is targeted at PC and Mac users in non-graphics markets such as home users, office workers, and business professionals.

With an active work area of 92.3 x 147.6 mm (A6 size), Bamboo is billed as an "easy to use tool" capable of working with input features such as handwriting recognition and time-saving gesture control options, enhancing the speed and efficiency of data input and navigating the computer interface. By using Bamboo in Microsoft Office a new style of communication can be developed, allowing personalisation of emails by signing them off with a digital signature and adding your own sketches or doodles.

Additionally, by selecting a pen or highlighter tool in Microsoft Word, Bamboo can be used to jot notes, create rough sketches, or mark up documents, spreadsheets, or presentation slides.

"The documents you create don't have to be like all the rest," says Rajan. "With Bamboo it's personal. You can add your own distinctive touches to anything you create or review by adding handwritten notes, sketches or doodles to get your point across and make your mark."

The ergonomically-designed pen provides 512 pressure levels of sensitivity and has a programmable double sided switch and eraser.

Wacom's patented cordless and battery-free pen technology offers an innovative tool for freehand writing, annotating and navigating around various applications.

The Bamboo is available at all leading stores in the Middle East and retails at approximately US$136. Wacom plans to launch more innovative products in the region in the near future.

Founded in 1983, Wacom is one of the world's leading manufacturer of pen tablets and interactive pen displays with customers worldwide using its cordless, battery-free, pressure-sensitive pen technology for digital content creation.

For more information about Bamboo log on to: www.wacom.eu/bamboo