We present pencil apps in various categories that offer high added value – from handwritten writing to image editing to route planning.

(Image: Clint Bustrillos, unsplash.com; Montage: Mac & i)

Pen instead of finger: Useful iPad apps for the Apple Pencil GoodNotes Nebo LiquidText, StaffPad, MapOut, Procreate Concepts, Shapr3D, Pixelmator, Pencil in iPadOS Item in Mac & i 5 / 2020 read Apple binds its pen to the iPad better than other manufacturers: In terms of drawing accuracy, the Pencil benefits from the higher sampling rate of 240 Hz instead of the usual for finger operation and other pens 120 Hz. Lines appear on the screen without delay and apps can query the pressure intensity and the angle of inclination, for example for thicker lines or to enable hatched areas when painting. When the pencil is on, the fingers have nothing to report – this avoids incorrect entries. Some apps, in cooperation with the cheaper pens from Wacom or Adonit, also have palm recognition; this does not usually work as reliably on the iPad.

There is no free choice of pen: Depending on the iPad, an Apple Pencil 1 (above) or Apple Pencil 2 (below) is required.

If you want to buy an Apple Pencil with your iPad, you have no choice: iPad (2018, 2019, 2020), iPad Air (3rd generation, 2019), iPad mini (5th generation, 2019) and the iPad Pros that appeared before only with the first generation pencil (99 Euro; picture above) compatible. It is charged via the tablet’s Lightning connector.

The iPad Pro models from 2000 and the iPad Air 4 (2020) only support the second generation Pencil (135 Euro; below). It sticks magnetically to the long side of the tablet and is refueled there by induction. Unlike the first-generation pencil, it reacts to a double tap on the surface. Depending on the app used, this switches, for example, the drawing tool to an eraser.

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