Universal Stylus Initiative

The Universal Stylus Initiative (USI) is a non-profit alliance of companies promoting a proprietary technical standard for interoperable active pen styluses on touchscreen devices such as phones, tablets, and computers.[1]

It defines a two-way communication protocol between the stylus and the computer and allows the stylus to remember user preferences for ink color and stroke. Multiple styluses can simultaneously draw on a single device. It support 9-axis inertial measurement.[2]

Products started coming to market in 2019 including one stylus and several Chromebooks from different manufacturers.[1] By 2019, there were over 30 members, including Google and 3M, but some major players like Apple and Microsoft had not joined.[2] As of 2022 the promoters include Google, Intel, Lenovo, Samsung and Synaptics, while Dell, Sharp and Wacom are contributors.

Prior to 2020, access to the specification is only available to members, but the goal is to create an open, non-proprietary active stylus specification with a certification program for members.[3][2][4] As of 2021, the range of supported devices was increasing.[5]

See also

References
  1. Schoon, Ben (2020-05-12). "Hands on: Chrome OS works well w/ a USI stylus". 9to5Google. Retrieved 2020-05-14.
  2. Ong, Thuy (2018-02-01). "Google and 3M have joined an initiative working toward an open standard for styluses". The Verge. Retrieved 2020-05-14.
  3. "USI Membership Benefits". Retrieved 2020-05-14.
  4. "Universal Stylus Initiative specification published (probably by mistake)". reddit. Retrieved 2020-05-14.
  5. "The Current State of USI Pens on Chromebooks [VIDEO]". Chrome Unboxed - The Latest Chrome OS News. 2021-03-30. Retrieved 2021-03-31.


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