Windows7 Drives Touch Technology
BN_TechTuesday, September 1st, 2009
The future for touch technology adoption continues upward and to the right due in part to Windows7. The new OS from Microsoft – due for release Oct. 22 – incorporates popular multi-touch technology that will “Make New Things Possible,” according to the website, including using your fingers to scroll, resize, play media, zoom and pan. Admittedly, the devices themselves will need to incorporate large touchscreen displays and, currently, such displays are a little too expensive for most consumers. However, expect pricing for those displays to decline over time. Come late third- or early fourth-quarter 2010, I think attach rates start to climb.
From a hardware perspective, not much changes with regard to touchpad and multimedia key modules unless PC manufacturers decide to increase module dimensions. Nor do I expect current touch modules suppliers to encounter any new competitive threats; although some share shift may occur among suppliers as price negations continue.
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Tags: touch technology
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Does it matter what’s inside a touch screen handset?
pgresearchFriday, August 7th, 2009
I went to my local Sprint retail store today, walked around and took a look at the 30+ different types of handsets they had on display. There were smartphones, square phones, flip phones, sliders and candy bar phones throughout but my real purpose was to find that one phone that had a “wow” factor that would cause me to switch network providers and spend a few hundred dollars to help the economy. The Palm Pre and HTC Pro stood out as devices that impressed.
What makes the Palm Pre and HTC Pro so impressive? Right now, it’s touch technology that makes them desirable but as a consumer do we really care who is providing the technology? My thought at the moment is both yes and no. Yes, because we care that the screen responds quickly and accurately. No, because we don’t care if company X or company Y makes the handset touch screen cable; all we care about is if the thing works well and looks hip.
Touch technology providers are in an interesting spot right now. A normal consumer may not know who is making the Palm Pre or HTC Pro touch screen capable but can tell the difference between a good and bad interface. In the long run, touch technology providers may find it hard to charge a premium for products but until more competition and the “wow” factor of touch screen handsets wears off things should be fine. Do you care who is making your Apple iPhone, Blackberry Storm, Palm Pre, HTC Pro, Motorola Krave, Samsung Instinct or LG Dare touch screen enabled?
Tags: touch technology
Posted in Author, Bob Nguyen, Semiconductor, Technology | No Comments »