Google Chromebook Standardizing On USI Open Active Stylus Specification

Posted on by Evander Pierre

Aims to Make Active Styluses “First Class Input Citizens”

Google Chromebook aims to build better computing through the application of the founding principles of “speed, security and simplicity”– and, in the case of active styluses, that means Google supports the Universal Stylus Initiative (USI). Google joined USI over a year ago with the plan to implement USI’s open, standard active stylus specification across Chrome OS.

USI Is The Open, Standard, Active Stylus Eco-system

For styluses to become more ubiquitous they need to be standardized and interoperable. Standards-based, industry-driven development means more companies are involved in a specification’s creation with the opportunity of contributing their different strengths and unique understanding of different segments resulting in more innovative products in the market. USI is the only open, standard active stylus solution in the market today. It allows companies like Google to engage with an open ecosystem where many participants – hardware, software and system vendors – can join together to offer unique solutions that meet the individual product and price needs of a variety of different market segments.

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

The USI 1.0 Specification provides IHVs and OEMs for the first time with an industry standard, non-proprietary, active stylus protocol. It enables the OEM, IHV and software ecosystem to develop a new generation of active styluses that provide consumers a consistent, customizable and interoperable experience across make, model and form-factor.

The USI 1.0 Specification also enables new uses for active styluses, such as multiple styluses operating simultaneously on a single device. The USI specification can be implemented on a wide range of touch-enabled devices, including phones, tablets, computing and entertainment platforms.

About Universal Stylus Initiative

Launched in 2015, Universal Stylus Initiative (USI) is an international 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 such as phones, tablets, and computing and entertainment platforms. 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.