Do I need to consider integrating multi-touch into the next generation of my touch products? – Joe Kennedy, New Mexico

Dear Joe:

Touch guy recalls, as a young lad, seeing the brand new and largely passenger free 747’s landing at LAX – this was called the Judas Goat phenomena because no self-respecting airline would be without the behemoth, even though they hardly had enough money to buy one and there was not enough passengers to fill one.

The same concept applies to touch screens. Multi-touch projected capacitive has rapidly grown to be the second largest selling touch-technology (behind analog resistive), even though, other than pinch and expand, there are hardly any software programs that make use of all those fingers. Microsoft has demanded 10-finger touch with lightening quick response to even be considered worthy of being certified.

So, yes, Joe, I do not even have to ask what your product is, you have to do it, and hope that the need comes – just like the passengers that eventually filled the 747’s… There are two real and important reasons why you need to do it, the most important is that projected capacitive will not wear out and the second is that the image quality is really excellent. Add to that, the prices are expected to fall by 50% sometime this year and you have everything you need to make the plunge. And if your application requires pressure sensing (screwdrivers, long fingernails and scalpels), you can now pick the MARS multi-touch product.

Until next time,
Touch Guy