Lately we’ve seen several ways in which tactile interfaces have been combined with touch screen technology – reconciling two different, but equally important, ways of working. AppSeed and Pixel Press are both allowing users to turn hand-drawn work into digital versions that can do much more, but neither has perhaps proven to be quite as organic as iSketchnote.

A new (very) smart iPad cover, iSketchnote is integrating the physical action of drawing using pen and paper with the technological capabilities of the iPad. Rather than requiring a special stylus to draw on a screen (something that has never quite matched the practicality – or joy – of using pen and paper), the cover uses a regular ballpoint or felt-tip pen, fitted out with a metal ring that can detect the pen's movement on any piece of normal paper. Recognising different colours, iSketchnote can then play the pen’s movement in real time, and digitised versions can then be shared on social networks or saved for later.

For more on iSketchnote, visit its Kickstarter.