Adobe to team with Adonit for smart pen, digital ruler hardware launch in 2014

Adobe announced on Tuesday that its previously revealed, iPad-compatible smart pen and digital ruler hardware concepts will in fact become a reality thanks to a partnership with Adonit, a firm already established in the realm of art-oriented iPad accessories.

Adobe grabbed a good deal of attention earlier this year when it showed off its first forays into hardware: the Project Mighty smart stylus and the Napoleon digital ruler. At the time, though, the creative software giant was noncommittal as to when — or even if — consumers could expect to see those products materialize.

Now, in a blog post, Adobe has confirmed that Project Mighty and Project Napoleon are in fact planned projects. The firm is teaming up with Adonit — which makes the Jot stylus family — to bring the two devices to market.

The Project Mighty cloud pen pairs with an iPad and assorted Creative Cloud and Adobe iOS programs, giving users increased functionality over regular smart styli, including the ability to store and transfer documents from the cloud using only the stylus. The Project Napoleon digital ruler allows users to draw an array of shapes and curves with precision. Both devices are slated to ship in the first half of 2014.

Adobe has also hinted at two new software offerings for the iPad: Project Parallel and Project Contour. Project Parallel is billed as a drafting iPad app designed for use with the Project Napoleon hardware, while Project Contour allows users to take a photo of a favorite object or shape with an iPhone and then access it on the iPad to simplify architectural line sketching.

In related news, Adobe also announced that its Creative Cloud paid subscriber base has now passed the one million mark. Adobe also says that there are millions of users who are trying out the service, noting that "despite some controversy around the decision to focus on memberships, customers are joining in great numbers."