Getac's new multi-touch screen works with gloved fingers
updated 03:40 pm EDT, Wed October 7, 2009
Getac shows new multi-touch screen technology
Getac, maker of rugged notebook PCs, tablets and phones, on Wednesday showed off a new touchscreen that will be integrated into its future devices and allow for multi-touch inputs while users wear thick work gloves. The interface will also rely on gestures, allowing users to move and edit documents, rotate maps and photos, as well as zoom in and out. The new multi-touch technology will be integrated into Getac's V100 tablet PC.
The touchscreen is based on a rare resistive (pressure-based) multi-touch technology for workers in the field, working in extreme weather conditions or operating heavy machinery that requires heavy gloves to be worn. Nearly all multi-touch screens to date have been capacitive and work on the electricity from fingers, which gets blocked by most handwear.
Getac's particular screen also has a high 2048x2048 resolution and should be quick, with a touch sensor that reports 100 points per second with a sub-35ms response time.
The screen will be fully compatible with Windows 7 and, like the new operating system, is due out later in October.
