Possible PDA-killer of the Future - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Possible PDA-killer of the Future

While PDA's are just starting to become common-place, BT.com may have the next step in the evolution -- The Smart Quill.


This appears just to be in the concept stage, so don't get out your wallets just yet. The concept though, is impressive. Instead of limiting yourself to writing on a special touch sensitive screen, the Smart Quill uses spatial sensors, by the way of accelerometers which can sense where in space you move the pen. As a result, handwriting recognition can be accomplished through these sensors. So, you just write - on paper, or in the air - and your text is recorded.


Obviously, early versions will likely share the same inaccuracies as early PDA handwriting... but it's a sign of things to come.

Popular Stories

iphone duo

Apple Announces Foldable 'iPhone Duo'

Wednesday September 9, 2026 10:56 am PDT by
Apple today announced the "iPhone Duo," a new kind of iPhone featuring two screens and a foldable inner display. The two halves of the iPhone Duo connect into a single continuous frame with the same aspect ratio across both displays, and Apple said the transition between open and closed is designed to feel fluid. When fully open, Apple says it is the thinnest iPhone ever made, with an...
Surprise and Shine Live Coverage Article

Apple Event Live Blog: iPhone Duo, iPhone 18 Pro, and More

Wednesday September 9, 2026 9:10 am PDT by
Apple's "Surprise and Shine" event kicks off today at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time, where we're expecting to see the foldable iPhone Duo, the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 models, new AirPods 5 earphones, and perhaps some other announcements. Apple is providing a live video stream on its website, on YouTube, and in the company's TV app across various platforms. We...
iOS 27 Feature Dark

Apple Announces iOS 27 Release Date

Wednesday September 9, 2026 10:46 am PDT by
At its event today unveiling the iPhone 18 Pro, AirPods 5, Apple Watch Series 12, and more, Apple announced that iOS 27 will be released later this month. iOS 27 has already been available as a developer beta since June and as a public beta since July, and Apple today said that the update will be released for all users with a compatible iPhone model on Monday, September 14. iOS 27 is...