Synaptics to Develop Pressure-Sensitive Touchscreens for Smartphones

Synaptics has announced plans to develop a new line of pressure-sensitive touchscreen controllers for smartphones.

Dubbed the “ClearPad 3700,” the California-based maker of Human Machine Interface products says the new controller will add “variable force-sensing” technology to smartphones. So, what exactly does this mean? Being that the ClearPad 3700 has yet to hit the market, we still don’t know how exactly it will function. However, variable force-sensing technology indicates that it will be pressure sensitive. Touching a smartphone equipped with the ClearPad 3700 lightly, for instance, may trigger a single tap, whereas touching it with greater force may trigger a double tap. While users can register a double tap by tapping the display twice, pressing the display with greater pressure will streamline this process, making it easier and faster to operate.

In addition to its variable-force sensing technology, the 3700 will also sport a new featured known as “SlideTouch.” According to a press release issued by Synaptics, SlideTouch will allow the use of a smartphone’s bezels for both scrolling and tapping without interfering in the display of content. Normally, scrolling requires the user to touch the display, which subsequently covers up at least some of the content. With SlideTouch, however, this shouldn’t be a problem due to its use of the device’s bezels for this purpose.

“Our broad patent portfolio and years of proven experience in touch technology has once again enabled us to provide smartphone OEMs and LCMs with cutting-edge user experience solutions,” said Kevin Barber, senior vice president, general manager, Smart Display Division, Synaptics. “The latest ClearPad family of products extends into multiple market segments with exciting new functionality and underscores Synaptics’ innovation and leadership in creating unmatched touch solutions.”

So, when can you expect to see the ClearPad 3700 available for sale? There’s still no word yet on a release date, but the company says its ClearPad 3700 and 7800 are currently being mass produced. Synaptics also said that mass production for its ClearPad 3600 will begin in the fourth quarter of 2015. Assuming this is correct, the ClearPad 3700 will likely be released some time next year.