The pen capabilities provide new levels of accuracy and precision, and a more personal and intimate approach to computing, ideally suited to today's fast-paced, on-the-go lifestyle.

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

Unlike the more powerful general purpose computing device such as the personal computer or, more recently, the smartphone, embedded devices are typically things like cars or thermostats which are only given a limited amount of computing power and memory to accomplish specific tasks.

FORBES: Startups Show How to Extend Devices Using the Cloud

Apple took a more playful approach to the idea of personal computing, and it paid off in a river of gold.

FORBES: With Personal Electronics, Xbox is Microsoft's Ace-in-Hole