Stylus (computing)

While devices with touchscreens such as laptops, smartphones, game consoles,[1] and graphics tablets[2] can usually be operated with a fingertip, a stylus can provide more accurate and controllable input.

[4] The device had rotary dials that rotated in accordance with the selected numbers; with gears, drums, and clever engineering, it was capable of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division (using 9's constant).

[5] The Addiator was a pocket mechanical adding machine that used a stylus to move tiny rigid slices of sheet-metal that were enclosed in a case.

[7][8] Capacitive (also called passive) styluses emulate a finger by using a tip made of rubber or conductive foam; or metal such as copper.

They do not need to be powered and can be used on any multi-touch surface that a finger can be used, typically capacitive screens that are common in smart phones and tablet computers.

This communication allows for advanced features such as pressure sensitivity, tilt, programmable buttons, palm detection, eraser tips, memorizing settings, and writing data transmission.