What the heck is a ‘multi-spectral’ stylus? Decoding the recent rumor

Recommendations on upcoming smartphones can flip up anyplace, and as we attempt to kind by way of all the rumors and theories surrounding upcoming units, that may usually imply taking a look at suggestions that don’t originate in a language we natively communicate. For nearly as good as translation instruments have change into, generally we’re nonetheless left scratching our heads a little bit at their output — and that’s precisely what’s occurring now for smartphones followers making an attempt to make sense of a recent folding-phone rumor.

We’re taking a look at a message posted to Weibo over the weekend from tipster Sensible Pikachu. And as you’d count on from a Weibo publish, the content material is in Chinese language. There, Sensible Pikachu affords some perception into plans for the Honor Magic V6 and OPPO Discover N6. And that publish wraps up with the be aware (emphasis ours):

One boasts a slim design and a giant 7K battery, whereas the different options a multi-spectral stylus.

What the heck is a multi-spectral stylus purported to be? We ran the authentic textual content by way of a number of completely different translation engines, and maintain getting just about that very same output.

Websites like GSM Enviornment have posted hypothesis that this could possibly be about superior sensor tech, strain sensitivity, latency discount, or just about another stylus improve you possibly can think about. And whereas we suppose that any of that’s attainable, none of that basically makes any sense to our ears once we’re speaking “multi-spectral.”

So what may it imply, then? Once we’re serious about spectra in a tech context, our thoughts goes instantly to the electromagnetic spectrum: the huge vary of frequencies over which every part from seen gentle to radio waves exist. Or there’s all the time the chance that we’re utilizing the time period in a extra restricted kind, like simply the completely different colours of sunshine.

Contemplating that, we’ve give you two theories that try to elucidate what was meant right here by a multi-spectral stylus:

• Multi-band RF assist: “Multi-spectral” may check with the stylus each working as a Bluetooth gadget in the 2.4GHz vary, in addition to utilizing lower-frequency electromagnetic resonance for stylus positioning.
• Fairly colours: “Multi-spectral” is perhaps nothing greater than a pretentious solution to say “obtainable in fancy new colour choices.”

Proper now, this is nonetheless largely guesswork. However we really feel like these guesses make a entire lot extra sense than something like the addition of random new stylus sensors.

The one factor nonetheless giving us pause is that neither of those interpretations sound notably attention-grabbing. Bluetooth assist on a stylus is nothing new — not even for these manufacturers — and it’s onerous to get very enthusiastic about some new pen colours. However may that be precisely why this rumor arrived dressed up in such gaudy language? For now, we’re open to listening to any higher theories — tell us down in the feedback.