How Does Stylus Work on iPad?

       In computing, a stylus pen is a small pen-shaped instrument that is used to input commands to a computer screen, mobile device or graphics tablet. With touch screen devices, a user places a stylus on the surface of the screen to draw or make selections by tapping the stylus on the screen. Pen-like input devices which are larger than a stylus, and offer increased functionality such as programmable buttons, pressure sensitivity and electronic erasers, are often known as digital pens. For iPad and other touch screen devices, Apple designed them hoping to excel at reading the touch of the human hand, so it doesn't promote the use of a stylus. Nonetheless, many people who want to take hand notes or draw have demanded one, so other companies have produced them. These styluses are designed to function on Apple's patented touch screen.

       For a stylus to work on the iPad's touch screen, stylus for iPad must conduct the electrical current from your hand to the device. To do this it must be constructed from conductive material like metal. Most models have a soft material like conductive foam at the tip, making the writing smoother and less likely to scratch the screen's surface. Since Apple's touch screen technology only reads electrical currents and not pressure, you won't be able to use touch sensitivity in your sketches, notes or drawings, although some apps claim to mimic it.