Wacom 2005 Annual Report Download - page 3

Released in September 2004, Intuos3 became the latest model of our high-end
Intuos pen tablet series and was the greatest contributor to an increase in our
revenues for the fiscal year under review. Product planning and development for a
new entry in this series drew upon an in-depth, three-year customer survey and a
review of the needs and requests of professional graphic designers. O ur response to
these user demands is this world’s leading pen tablet system. Intuos3 helps users
realize up to a 25% boost in workflow efficiency compared with previous models
through the introduction of an innovative ExpressPad, which facilitates the execution
of main operations without requiring an on-screen menu or keyboard. Its
sophisticated design and superior functionality are highly regarded among
professionals around the world. Thanks to the release of Intuos3, our sales of
professional pen tablets increased by 15% over the previous fiscal year.
D uring the fiscal year under review, W acom tablets received 16 awards. Intuos3
alone won 14 awards for the quality of its design, including the Reddot D esign
Award in Europe, the Macworld Eddy Award in the U nited States, and the Good
D esign Award in Japan. The Reddot D esign Award honors Intuos for being one of
the best designed products in the media home electronics category out of a field of
1,857 products from 36 countries. The Cintiq 21UX , our large interactive pen display,
won the Innovative D igital Product Award, which is presented to unique products
featuring innovative technologies by D iMA, a U.S. trade association of online audio
and video products. In addition, for the sixth consecutive year since 2000, W acom
won the top prize in the electronic tablet category of Japan’s BCN Award 2005.
This prize is presented to top ranking vendors on the basis of their annual sales
volume of PC-related products.
Since its launch in February 2005, the Cintiq 21UX , which incorporates a
professional pen tablet into a large LCD display, has been well received by the
market, with sales exceeding our expectations. This breakthrough tablet with a 21.3
inch, high-resolution display boasts the same outstanding performance as our high-
end Intuos3 pen tablets. This top-level interactive pen display enables users to
interact with images directly on the screen, making it an indispensable tool for
professionals who demand superior performance. Cintiq is becoming even more
popular in this market segment than Intuos.
W e developed and released an innovative pen sensor controller in September 2004 called W 8002.
W e will continue to broaden the applications for our pen-sensing technology by applying this controller to
small information appliances such as next-generation Smartphones, PDAs, and digital cameras. In addition
to offering a lower price, smaller size (6X 6mm), and reduced electric consumption compared with our
existing controllers for Tablet PCs, W 8002 supports serial interface expandability in communication for
more flexible system design options. Incorporating W 8002 into information devices such as mobile
phones allows users to enter comments on photos, hand-draw images, and hand-write e-mail messages
without deteriorating the image quality of the device. W 8002 also supports such new functionality as
more user-friendly menu windows, zooming, and signature authentication.
W acom Co., Ltd. Annual Report 2005 2
D ISCLAIMER
Forward-looking statements regarding future events and performance contained in this annual report are based on currently available information and involve risks and
uncer tainties, including macroeconomic conditions, trends of the industry in which the company is engaged, and progress in technologies. Please note that actual results
could materially differ from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements in this annual repor t due to these risks and uncertainties.
Boasting a sophisticated design and enhanced functionality, Intuos3 was a major factor in
boosting our revenues. Intuos3 has been widely acclaimed by creative professionals and
demanding users, many of whom have experienced up to a 25% improvement in productivity.
The outstanding design of W acom tablets is widely recognized among professionals
around the world
Cintiq 21UX : an indispensable tool for professionals
W 8002 delivers pen-based input for next-generation mobile phones
and small information appliances
Give form to your
intuition. Intuos3 is the
world’s number one
professional pen tablet
system. It dramatically
enhances the expressive
possibilities for users
while boosting
productivity with ease
in customization.