Ten-finger multitouch coming to mobile

[GeoUSA]

Betanews has an interesting article with some background info on Synaptics and the touch technology behind the G1, iPhone, and others. It reveals that Clearpad 2000 is the same screen tech in both the G1 and iPhone. Synaptics is now testing Clearpad 3000 which will allow future devices to read 10 simultaneous touches and new gestures such as the "three finger crumple" and "one finger erase."

Ten-finger multitouch headed to mobile gadgets this year | Tech Gear News - Betanews

 

[sergey]

uh... no?
On a tiny screen on a phone? This could get out of hand quickly


ctrl+alt+delete now becomes thumb swipe+first finger circular motion+fourth finger tap....

 

[fangorious]

The G1 already uses the 2-finger capable screen. And the Hero has pinch zoom out-of-the-box, right? I know there are hacked firmware images that enable multi-touch in the G1. Haven't heard anything about it for the MAgic/MyTouch though. I think multi-touch is going to be critical with all the Android models coming out with no physical keyboard.

 

[sw20matt]

out of the box hero uses a double tap zoom. only the rooted roms use multi touch.

 

[samuelmaskell]

I think you are mistaken.. I don't have a hero but htc is advertising multi-touch on their website. I don't think they would do that if you had to root to get it.

 

[noonehereyet]

I think you are mistaken.. I don't have a hero but htc is advertising multi-touch on their website. I don't think they would do that if you had to root to get it.

As of right now multi-touch is only on rooted phones however it is going to be included in an upcoming OTA update...

 

[GeoUSA]

I agree that reading 10 simultaneous touches (especially on a small, phone screen) is overkill. No doubt some clever person will think of a use... For now, a music application would probably be the most likely candidate.

I'm optimistic hearing that the company building the tech for both the Apple and Android devices is involved in the creation of multi-touch techniques. I think this makes it less likely that Apple can restrict other competitors from using multitouch for very long. I'm unclear if the agreement Google made with Apple to omit multitouch was with only the G1 or Android. It sounds like it was the G1... Since we know the hardware supports it and the OS is open, perhaps it will not be too long before workarounds are more common.

 

[Quboid]

I don't think it's the actual ability to have 10 finger controls, just that handset makers and OS developers will basically have no limit. 3 finger control may have it's uses. 4 finger, maybe. 5 or 6 might be handy in a specifically designed game. The key is, it doesn't matter - your phone will be able to handle it.