Universal Stylus Initiative Leads Active Stylus Non-Proprietary Category

WAKEFIELD, MA. – September 8, 2022 – The Universal Stylus Initiative (USI) announced today that recently published market share research from IMARC Group predicts the global stylus market reaching $23.95 billion by 2027 and USI maintaining its leadership position in the non-proprietary active stylus category which accounts for a 27% share of the total stylus pen market.

“USI is well-positioned for growth with Google Chromebook using the USI 2.0 active stylus specification. In addition, USI members Lenovo, HP and Dell, Inc., account for over 60 percent of the global PC market,” said Harpreet Singh, senior consultant, IMARC Group. “The availability of captivating features such as the ability to deliver a consistent stylus user experience across multiple platforms is a significant factor anticipated to boost USI market growth in the coming years.”

In 2021, tablets dominated the global stylus pen market accounting for 56.13% of the total global market. Tablets were followed by smart phones (25.58%) and interactive whiteboards (18.28%).

A non-proprietary stylus is an open, standard, active stylus solution allowing a single stylus to be used seamlessly on multiple touch-enabled devices.  A proprietary stylus is “tethered” to a single specific device and can only work with that device.

“USI is the global non-proprietary active stylus leader and the data is showing that this category is growing fast,” said Peter Mueller, chairman, USI. “The trend is for USI members to adopt and standardize on the open USI 2.0 specification rather than developing their own technology.  The USI Certification Program is tracking this growth and provides a way for USI members to measure compliance and ensure interoperability with the USI 2.0 specification.”

About USI 2.0: Open, Non-proprietary Active Stylus Specification

USI 2.0 replaces propriety approaches with a single solution allowing a stylus to be used across a wide range of touch-enabled devices, including phones, tablets, computing and entertainment platforms.  It defines a standard signaling mechanism and communication protocol between a stylus and a touch-enabled device. It features a robust two-way protocol designed from the ground up to support a rich set of base features as well as extensibility for per-vendor customization and future usages.  Wireless charging and improved in-cell support are the latest additions to the USI specification.

Users will be able to use a single USI stylus across all of their USI-enabled devices and any USI stylus shipped with devices will work with other USI-enabled devices, even those from different manufacturers.  An additional benefit of the USI standard is the ability to deliver a consistent stylus user experience across platforms. This consistency and ease-of-use, coupled with interoperability, increases the consumer appeal of an active stylus and is helping proliferate the technology. For more information or to join USI: https://universalstylus.org/membership-benefits/.

About Universal Stylus Initiative

USI is a global, not-for-profit technology trade association whose mission is to define industry-wide standards for interoperable communication between an active stylus and touch-enabled devices. The USI specification provides for a stylus capable of communicating with different touch sensors and touch controller integrated circuits, so that users can employ the same stylus across numerous touch-enabled devices if each device’s touch controller is compliant with the USI specification.

 USI Adds Eight Members in Six Months

WAKEFIELD, MA. – October 25, 2021 – The Universal Stylus Initiative (USI) added eight new member organizations in the past six months. USI now totals 46 member organizations shipping products using USI’s unique active stylus specification.  The USI specification is the only open standard, active stylus solution allowing a single stylus to be used on multiple touch enabled devices.

New USI members include: Acer Inc., ASUS, Cilab GmbH, FocalTech-Systems Co.,Ltd., Logitech, Inc., PixArt Imaging, Raydium Semiconductor Corporation and Shenzen OCM Technology Co., Ltd.

“These new members share USI’s vision of an open standard, single, active stylus able to operate across multiple devices,” said Pete Mueller, chairman, USI.  “USI is transforming the active stylus market as well as consumer’s lives as it is only open standard, non-proprietary active stylus solution available.”

For more information or to join USI: https://universalstylus.org/membership-benefits/

About Universal Stylus Initiative

USI is a global, not-for-profit technology trade association whose mission is to define industry-wide standards for interoperable communication between an active stylus and touch-enabled devices. The USI specification provides for a stylus capable of communicating with different touch sensors and touch controller integrated circuits, so that users can employ the same stylus across numerous touch-enabled devices if each device’s touch controller is compliant with the USI specification.

Products from ELAN, HP, Lenovo, Maxeye, Sunrex, Sunwoda, Waltop Certified For USI 1.0 Eco-system

WAKEFIELD, Mass., USA – June 10, 2020 – The Universal Stylus Initiative (USI) launched today the industry’s first open standard, active stylus certification program.  Multiple products already completing USI certification testing include products from ELAN; HP Inc.; Lenovo; Maxeye Smart Technologies Co., Ltd.;  Sunrex Technology Corporation; Sunwoda Electronic Co., Ltd., and Waltop International Corporation.  A list of products using the USI 1.0 specification can be found at https://universalstylus.org/product-showcase/.

Also, Allion Labs, Inc., an international engineering company that provides customized product testing, validation and consulting services, was approved for all USI active stylus certification testing.

To achieve USI certification, a stylus or device must pass the USI standard protocol and electrical testing. The certification program has been defined to verify stylus interoperability across devices from different manufacturers that implement the USI Stylus and Device Specification — the first open standard, active stylus protocol available on the market. When a product passes certification testing, the manufacturer or supplier is granted the right to use the USI logo.

“USI certification provides a company’s product the dual competitive advantages of an open, active stylus standard combined with verification of that product’s interoperability across the USI eco-system,” said Peter Mueller, chairman, USI.  “Launching the certification program is a major milestone toward the industry goal of a single, open, active stylus capable of operating with all the devices that a consumer owns or uses in the workplace or at home.”

USI Certification Program Overview

USI product certification is the process by which a manufacturer certifies that their active stylus product conforms to the USI specification.  This ensure that USI certified products can be distinguished by users as having been rigorously tested and validated.

The USI Certification Program is open to USI members.  Certification is performed by a USI authorized testing facility or, in some cases, a self-certification process is available.  Certified products earn the right to display the USI Certification Mark on the company website, product sales material and packaging

USI 1.0:  First Open, Non-proprietary Active Stylus Specification

The USI 1.0 Specification defines a standard signaling mechanism and communication protocol between a stylus and a touch-enabled device.  USI 1.0 replaces propriety approaches with a single solution allowing a stylus to be used across a wide range of touch-enabled devices, including phones, tablets, computing and entertainment platforms.  For the first time independent hardware vendors (IHVs), original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and the software ecosystem can develop a new generation of active styluses that provide consumers a consistent, customizable and interoperable experience across make, model and form-factor.

About Universal Stylus Initiative

The Universal Stylus Initiative (USI) is a global, not-for-profit technology trade association whose mission is to define industry-wide standards for interoperable communication between an active stylus and touch-enabled devices. The USI specification provides for a stylus capable of communicating with different touch sensors and touch controller integrated circuits, so that users can employ the same stylus across numerous touch-enabled devices, as long as each device’s touch controller is compliant with the USI specification.