RIM patents hybrid capacitive/resistive touch
updated 02:55 pm EDT, Wed August 5, 2009
RIM patents hybrid display
BlackBerry maker RIM is attempting to merge the best of both worlds when it comes to resistive and capacitive touchscreens, as it has recently applied for a patent for a touchscreen display with both types of sensors. With such a setup, the device would be capable of fast response to bare fingers and support multi-touch gestures but would still have high precision when using a stylus. The main disadvantage of capacitive touchscreens, price, promises to be an even bigger issue with the hybrid display, however, suggesting it would only be used high-end BlackBerry devices, such as sequels to the Storm.
While capacitive touchscreens are more advanced than resistive models as a whole, these often preclude non-finger input and are often less popular in southeast Asia, where Chinese, Japanese and other languages often demand handwriting recognition on locally released cellphones.
Exactly if or when the public can expect to see a BlackBerry with such a hybrid display is not known, though any possible device is likely to appear years into the future. Patents even when granted don't necessarily confirm a company's plans. [via Unwired View]
