One fierce set of opinions and insights on touch screen and display enhancement technology.

Self-healing Films

/in

Touch Screen Devices Heal Like Living Organisms?

Touch screen devices with self-healing capabilities may become the new standard in the near future. Who wouldn’t want a phone or tablet that could heal itself? Seems like magic.

Well, it’s not magic nor is it new technology, but it is not yet common. Self-healing films are considered “smart” materials which are able to self-repair after damages such as daily wear. This is similar to how living organisms are able to heal after being injured (although without the scars). So, the film is like a protective layer of skin for devices, but better than skin since it is replaceable. Film with pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) can be applied by the touch screen user. When the film is at the end of its life-cycle a user can simply peel the film off the smartphone or touch screen surface and reapply a new layer of film. Some self-healing films also have an anti-smudge (AS) effect which makes fingerprints less visible and easier to wipe off the surface. Screens can always look brand new.

For now, there are different coatings available to enhance the durability and wear of a touch screen.
AS AG AR Coatings

Military Projected Capacitive Touch Screen Compatible Gloves

/in

projectedcapacitivewithgloves

Just got news that the United States Department of Defense – Special Operations Forces has approved AnyGlove’s new product. If you haven’t heard about their products yet, AnyGlove has developed a revolutionary solution that allows any type of glove to be compatible with projected capacitive technology – which has been a challenge in the military and other rugged environments. After applying the formula to any type of glove, the user is able to operate any p-cap sensor as normal. Whether you are engaging in a leisure activity or job that requires gloves, anyone from delivery truck drivers to motorcycle enthusiasts can use any glove they prefer with touch screens in any environment during any season of the year.

With the final approval from the Special Operations Forces, this opens up the window for many opportunities. It has been a challenge for the military to adapt projected capacitive touch screens, like Touch International’s MulTI-Touch sensors, into everyday use. Further enabling p-cap in these harsh environments, even with this “band-aid” approach, is certainly a step in the right direction. AnyGlove has been successfully tested on many types of gloves – from lightweight liners, sports gloves, motorcycle gloves, even heavy duty work gloves.

For more info on AnyGlove check out AnyGlove.com.

What other hurdles have you faced trying to implement projected capacitive touch?

Windows 8 – Optimizing Touch Screen Applications

/in

Tech Girl must admit that she doesn’t think “touch” when she thinks of Microsoft. Between the Apple iPhone and iPad, Apple largely dominates her day-to-day touch experiences. Well, move over, Apple, because Windows 8 from Microsoft may just change that…

Of course, Windows 8 is not out yet, but from the demos and research Tech Girl has done, she has to hand it to Microsoft – it looks like this new OS is REALLY going to shake up the PC and corresponding touch screen experiences. Right now it is hard to imagine a PC not needing a mouse or keyboard and delivering that seamless touch screen experience that Apple has introduced, but Tech Girl thinks that Windows 8 is going to be the final push that touch technology needs to take it to the next level.

Windows 8 Touch Interaction Design Guide
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/apps/hh465415.aspx

CNET Windows 8 Review
http://reviews.cnet.com/operating-systems/windows-8-release-to/4505-3671_7-35321713.html

How to Start Using Windows 8 Today
http://www.pcworld.com/article/261003/how_to_start_using_windows_8_today_faq.html

What do you think? Is Tech Girl right or way off base?