Hardware
N-Trig + Fujitsu = More Multi-Touch
N-Trig, maker of multi-touch capacitive digitizers, and Fujitsu, maker of some of the finest Tablet PCs on the market, just announced a partnership that, and I quote, “will provide both the consumer and enterprise markets with the best pen and multi-touch computing experience.”
The agreement pertains to N-Trig’s next-gen chipset, which of course is supposed to be better, faster, stronger, etc., but also, they intend to push the number of possible contact points beyond our frail human limits:
The new chipset will enable 10 or more simultaneous touch points at very high refresh rates.
Granted, I can’t foresee many situations where I would or could use more than ten digits on the screen at once, but I appreciate the option. Though not stated, I think it’s pretty safe to guess this means N-Trig will be Fujitsu’s supplier for multi-touch digitizers on their tablets. Full press release via BusinessWire.
Ambi Dextrose
06/30/2009 at 12:39 pm
The agreement is actually between N-Trig and Fujitsu Microelectronics- the chip manufacturing division of Fujitsu. The news is about Fujitsu Microelectronics producing N-Trig’s next-gen capacitive touchscreen controllers and not about Fujitsu using N-Trig’s digitizers in their Tablet PC products.
Although Fujitsu using N-Trig digitizers in future Tablet PCs is a possibility, this particular news bit doesn’t mention that.
Eve
06/30/2009 at 5:28 pm
The only thing I’ve heard abt N-Trig is how bad they screwed up the Dell Latitude. Hope they don’t do the same thing for Fujitsu. As 4 me,until I see a good review of sth with an N-trig digitizer I’ll be looking for the Wacom Penabled decal on all my future tablet purchases. ;)
JimAtLaw
06/30/2009 at 6:55 pm
I can imagine 10 or more points of contact being useful – imagine use in gaming tables, or in restaurants, one or both of which I believe have been demonstrated in Vegas.
rob
06/30/2009 at 7:58 pm
or multiple kids gathered around a tablet playing a game, like lagoon or something..
BurningOrange
06/30/2009 at 8:24 pm
“N-trig’s DuoSense technology is available on the Dell Latitude XT/XT2, HP TouchSmart tx2 and will be offered on additional designs this year.”
ooh, wonder what “additional designs” they mean ? i’m in the market to purchase a new tablet pc this autumn and would like a pen+multitouch digitizer (ntrig or the new wacom). this severely limits my options doesn’t it ? anyone have any ideas about the “additional designs” ? guessing from the new ntrig & fujitsu partnership, a fujitsu slate refresh perhaps ? ^_^