| Millimeters Matter: Small differences in touchscreen | | | | shows, there’s a right way and a wrong way to |
| sensitivity actually reveal exponential difference in | | | | deploy the technology. MOTO has worked with |
| performance. Less sensitive touchscreen systems are | | | | capacitive touch interfaces, and offered up these |
| infuriating to use for typing. | | | | essential dos and don’ts for anyone entering the |
| The clear winner was the iPhone’s touch sensor, | | | | field: |
| which showed the most linear tracking with the least | | | | * Don’t skimp on materials. With touchscreen |
| amount of stair-stepping. The Droid Eris and Nexus | | | | hardware, manufacturers get what they pay for and |
| One tied for second with only faint wiggling but actually | | | | consumers will notice the difference. * Allow ample |
| performed best at the edge of the screen. Last in the | | | | time to develop your algorithms. Don’t treat |
| line-up was the Motorola Droid, which demonstrated | | | | touchscreen algorithms as an element of component |
| significant wavy artifacts or “stair-stepping.” | | | | sourcing; create a distinct touch development track |
| To create a superior touchscreen experience, the key | | | | in-house to make sure your products are both |
| is to develop a touchscreen sensor that has the | | | | responsive and accurate. * Closely integrate |
| highest possible signal-to-noise ratio, or SNR. When a | | | | touchscreen hardware, software, and user interaction |
| manufacturer gets it right, the device tracks touch | | | | development as early as possible in the product |
| inputs almost as if they were connected to physical | | | | development process. Never treat them as separate |
| objects in the real world. Key drivers of SNR include: | | | | tasks. |
| Conductive sensor material | | | | The success of the iPhone has triggered the adoption |
| Substrate material | | | | of touchscreen systems in a wide range of mobile |
| Substrate thickness | | | | devices, and a bevy of new gadgets equipped with |
| Distance from display (the biggest noise source) | | | | capacitive sensing technology have now hit the |
| Sensing waveform Sensor pattern Sensor pitch | | | | market. MOTO’s conclusion sates that ‘All |
| Analog sensing circuitry Sample rate | | | | touchscreens are not created equal’ The video |
| Touchscreens are a catalyst for innovation and a | | | | and photos of MOTO’s “DIY Smartphone |
| powerful way for device manufacturers to | | | | Touchscreen Analysis” experience is available here. |
| differentiate their products in an intensely competitive | | | | Your browser may not support display of this image. |
| marketplace. But as MOTO’s demonstration | | | | |