MyScript Digital Writing Conference and active pen market

October 19, 2015

Today I had a chance to attend the MyScript’s Digital Writing Conference at Marriott, Santa Clara, California. It’s a very nice conference with about 200 attendees.  MyScript CEO Paddy Padmanabhan joked that “If we host this conference in 1998, there would probably be 4 attendees. I’m glad today we have such a big crowd.”

Figure: MyScript CEO Paddy Padmanabhan gave welcome speech

MyScript CEO

Photo by: Touch Display Research, Dr. Jennifer Colegrove

My old industry friend, Mr. Gary Baum, VP of Marketing at MyScript introduced MyScript’s interactive ink management framework. He indicated, “With this next generation ink management technology, MyScript is dramatically improving the user experience, revealing the potential Power of Ink. Your handwriting, whether it is TEXT, MATH or DIAGRAM is instantly available as a formatted digital document.”

Figure: MyScript VP, Mr. Gary Baum, presenting

MyScript Gary

Photo by: Touch Display Research, Dr. Jennifer Colegrove

At this conference, my Intel alumni and president of USI (Universal Stylus Initiative), Mr. Pete Mueller introduced USI and its work on active pen.

Figure: USI president, Mr. Pete Mueller presenting

USI Pete

Photo by: Touch Display Research, Dr. Jennifer Colegrove

In the Active Pen Technologies, Supply Chain and Market Forecast report, Touch Display Research forecasts that the market for active-pen writing modules (including pen sensor, one pen, and the controller IC) will increase from $931 million in 2014 to $4.17 billion in 2020.

Figure 3. Active pen market forecast to 2020

active pen forecast with TDR

Source: Touch Display Research, Active Pen Technologies, Supply Chain and Market Forecast Report, 2014

More analysis of the Digital Writing Conference can be found in the “Touch and Emerging Display” monthly report.

Thanks for reading,

Jennifer and team