The animals might be mythical characters, symbolic scapegoats, tribal families, mnemonic devices, or perhaps totemic scarecrows, guarding the pillars from evil.

NEWYORKER: The Sanctuary

The possibilities are limitless, as more and more application developers understand the power of the pen and multi-touch combination - for example, picture a unique way of sending personalized handwritten notes on Facebook, or even the fun of playing Farmville by drawing in your own crops or scarecrows.

ENGADGET: N-trig's Digital Pencil plays pen and fingertip roles, claims mastery of both