The move, says Wacom, shows a commitment to new and revolutionary creative products beyond their comfort zone of pen tablets.

Wacom's nextbeat is billed as a fully integrated professional DJ system, incorporating intuitive touch sensor controls and innovative live performance functions.

Its wireless portable control unit enables performers to move free from the main device, resulting in more dynamic and energetic live performances, contrasting to the traditional style of DJs performing inside booths promise Wacom.

With no computer required, nextbeat combines two digital players, a mixer, effector and sampler in a single lightweight and compact unit.

Wacom's DJ device will be presented at the Winter Music Conference from 24-28 March 2009 in Miami Beach, Florida, USA, and the Musikmesse from 1-4 April 2009 in Frankfurt, Germany.

The nextbeat DJ system is scheduled for release across Europe and Japan in summer 2009 says Wacom.

More information and updates on nextbeat can be found at nextbeat.eu.
See the product gallery here