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Samsung has taken the covers off a pair of premium monitors optimized for Windows 8. The new Series 7 SC770 Touch Monitor incorporates a capacitive multi-touch layer to take full advantage of the touch-based Windows 8 interface. Joining it is the Series 7 SC750, which drops the touch layer, but retains its stablemate’s slim design and premium LCD panel.
Shortly after its announcement to sell a 4K IGZO monitor in February, Sharp is also preparing to release a 20-inch touchscreen display in Japan. The LL-S201A, branded "Big Pad" by the manufacturer, supports up to ten points of multi-touch input, as well as a stylus with a 2mm tip for more precise work.
The Pioneer Electronics Inc., Professional Sound and Visual Division has unveiled the new DJM-2000nexus performance mixer. The DJM-2000nexus offers more music mixing functions, including the new Beat Slice and Sync Master, available in conjunction with Pioneer’s Pro DJ Link. The mixer also incorporates a built-in full-color 5.8-inch LCD multi-touch panel with screen effects, evolved Beat Effects, Pro DJ Link and MIDI control capability.
Today's deals from DealNN include price breaks on iPads, iPhone accessories, and more. Apple.com is now offering a limited time discount on the refurbished, first-generation 16GB iPad with Wi-Fi and 3G, which includes a 9.7-inch widescreen multi-touch display, Bluetooth 2.1 technology, TV/Video support, and a rechargeable battery that lasts up to 10 hours. Currently featured at DealNN, the iPad has now dropped $170 in price and can be purchased for only $359.
Wacom has launched the latest iteration of its professional pen tablet range, the Intuos5 series. The creative tablets are aimed at professional photographers, designers and artists as a method of fine input for applications including Photoshop. The new Intuos5 series includes multi-touch support, Express View heads-up display software that shows current settings on the tablet, and a new soft-touch matte finish.
Product Design has introduced a glass keyboard and matching glass trackpad that are currently seeking development funding as a Kickstarter project. Both peripherals are built using tempered glass panes attached to solid metal bases, sensing touch input on the glass surface without the need for moving parts. Users can choose from tactile sounds and lights, while the companion software will be open source for custom configuration.
Two patents granted to Apple yesterday by the US Patent and Trademark Office deal with some of the technologies behind multi-touch as used in iOS devices, and go all the way back to the introduction of the original iPhone. The company won a patent relating to front-end signal compression for touchscreens, as well as one detailing an improved method of crystallizing an indium tin oxide layer on top of transparent conductive material more safely.
Today Apple's online store has a selection of refurbished iPods at reduced prices. The refurbished 8GB iPod nano with multi-touch display, built-in FM radio, VoiceOver and built-in clip is now available for only $129 after a $20 price break. Also available is the 16GB iPod nano for $149 after a $30 discount.
Apple's online store today is offering the current generation refurbished 8GB iPod nano in black for $129. That's $20 off the original price of $149, and it includes free shipping. The iPod nano features a multi-touch display, built-in FM radio, VoiceOver, built-in clip, and includes a set of Apple earphones.
A newly published Apple patent application hints at the possibility of a mouse with a multi-touch display, notes Patently Apple. Titled Computer Input Device Including a Display Device, it depicts a mouse with the display mounted on top. While it could simply be used to show information, it could also be used to provide contextual controls, such as a numeric keypad.
A newly-disclosed Apple patent application suggests support of touch gestures which can be used while looking away from a screen. A recurring problem with Apple's modern touchscreen devices is the inability to control some functions while glancing away, limiting usefulness during activities like workouts. Under the proposed scheme, people would be able to control media playback through gestures that don't even require a screen to display graphics.
Apple has won some 16 new patents from the US Patent and Trademark Office, says Patently Apple. The most important relates to multi-touch, specifically the concept of two or more controllers operating in a "master/slave" configuration. The win could strengthen Apple's position in future lawsuits, which have become common in relation to multi-touch. Apple notes that the concept could be extended to products outside of its specialties, such as ATMs and ticket terminals.
Berlin-based ~sedna GmbH, makers of Mac-based digital signage software for controlling large or multi-monitor displays in stores, stadiums and trade shows, is unveiling a new multi-touch table and its suite of touch-based and kiosk-creation software for the Mac, including a new version of Sedna Presenter (v2.7.2) that can use the iPad as a display device.
Apple has won a limited though significant US patent on pinch-to-zoom gestures for multi-touch devices, reports say. A filing was originally submitted in December 29th, 2006, just days before the announcement of the first iPhone at Macworld. The document technically covers more than just zoom, making references to other pinch commands such as rotation.
Microsoft may be readying a new peripheral, the Arc Touch Mouse, according to several listings that have appeared in online stores for European retailers. Further details remain slim, including any similarities with the company's Arc Mouse which arrived in 2008 with a design integrating a fold-out hand support.
Some recent Apple patent applications, made public this week, show continuing interest in evolving how the company's products are controlled. Particularly notable is a concept involving "invisible" buttons, so called because they are flush and built with the same material as their surrounding surface. An example of this is thought to be found in the Magic Mouse, although the patent suggests technology that does not require capacitive input to be touch-sensitive.
The US International Trade Commission has officially agreed to investigate a patent infringement allegation against Apple, submitted by Taiwan's Elan Microelectronics. The two companies have been involved in a long-running legal dispute, as Elan accuses Apple of violating patents related to multi-touch technology. On the basis of one patent, Elan in late March filed a motion with the ITC to block US sales of infringing products, potentially including the iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, MacBook and Magic Mouse.
Nokia today staked out its ground in the smartphone wars by launching the N8, its new flagship. The phone is the first to use Symbian^3 and finally adds features seen in Android and iPhone, such as multi-touch, multiple home screens and live home screen widgets. The OS also claims an advantage over its Apple counterpart: it has better memory management and can handle more apps in a true multitasking environment.
Apple may continue to have an interest in building a touchscreen Mac, a newly disclosed patent application hints. Titled Scheme for Authenticating without Password Exchange, the filing refers to several possible input types, including "a keyboard, a microphone, touch screen input and mouse input," interfacing with a central chipset and then components like displays, storage and networking. Apple adds that displays could use DVI or HDMI connections, and/or be associated with notebooks, "small form factor personal computers" or smartphones.
A new leak this morning has provided what should be the first known screens and features of BlackBerry OS 6.0. The entire OS is finally touch-aware and supports multi-touch with pinch-to-zoom and other gestures throughout, including the browser and photo viewer. It now has momentum-based scrolling and a tap-to-hold context menu instead of having to revert to the hardware BlackBerry button.
Apple has won the rights to an unusually large collection of patents, 16 in total, submitted through the US Patent and Trademark Office. While some are less significant than others, several cover key aspects of Apple technology. In the latter category are two documenting the multi-touch interfaces of the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. One patent addresses a virtual keyboard concept, while the second describes a means of error correction for a multi-touch surface.
Samsung has revealed its first multi-touch all-in-one PCs, the U250 and U200. The two take advantage of the native finger input afforded by Windows 7 with size the primary factor: the U250 has a 23-inch display with full 1080p, while the U200 gets a 20-inch touchscreen with a 1600x900 image. Whether the PCs will be capable of playing back HD video content, however, remains a bit of a mystery, as Samsung has not revealed the internal specs.
iBuyPower has added a new gaming PC to its range, the 15.6-inch Battalion Touch CZ-11. The 15-inch system is second of the company's multi-touch capable gaming notebooks, but the first to get the option of Intel's Core i7 CPU at the same time. Its display is a centerpiece in resolution as well at 1080p, even on the least expensive models.
Taiwan's Elan Microelectronics -- involved in a long-running lawsuit with Apple over multi-touch technology -- has asked the US International Trade Commission to block the import and sale of a variety of Apple products, says Bloomberg. Specifically Elan says it wants to halt products that infringe on its "352" patent, which describes a means of detecting the presence of two or more fingers. "Our goal is to protect our technology and to stop sales of those products in the US," says Elan spokesman Dennis Liu.
KDDI became the last Japanese carrier to adopt Android on Tuesday with the addition of the unusual Sharp IS01. A "communicator" rather than a phone, the handheld is unique in having the 5-inch, 960x540 display of a MID (mobile Internet device) but the notebook-like design and 1GHz Snapdragon processor of a smartbook. Sharp suggests it can be used solely with thumbs and gives it multi-touch in addition to a trackball.
Nokia's first Symbian^3 Nseries flagship, the N8, has been all but confirmed today thanks to a leak from China. As the first running the new multi-touch OS, the smartphone should accordingly have several other firsts for its creator. It would revolve a 3.5-inch capacitive touchscreen and would make its camera the highlight with a 12-megapixel sensor, 720p video capture and HDMI video output.
Google chief Eric Schmidt was genuinely shocked when he was berated by Steve Jobs for the first time over Android, an alleged tell-all supposedly revealed today. While headed to the 2007 Burning Man festival, Schmidt is said to have received a "ferocious" call from the Apple co-founder, who attacked him for establishing Android and allegedly deceiving Apple about his smartphone plans while sitting on the iPhone creator's board of directors. The dialogue was enough to have made the normally calm Schmidt upset and produce a "weird" expression on his face.
Elan Microelectronics is denying rumors that it has settled a patent lawsuit directed against Apple, according to a Taiwanese news site. The case was originally launched in April of last year, and accuses Apple of violating two multi-touch patents by way of the iPhone, iPod touch and MacBook. The settlement would allegedly be worth $70 million, but Elan insists that the issue is still in front of the US' International Trade Commission.
Amazon plans a larger role for the web browser on the Kindle, the company has let slip through a job listing for its e-reader division, Lab126. A position for a Software Development Engineer has been specifically tasked with improving on the Kindle's basic, "experimental" browser with new features. While no hints exist of new features, the engineer would be part of a dedicated web browser team, suggesting Amazon is now taking the software more seriously.
Ideum has introduced the MT-50 multi-touch table, an updated version of the earlier MT2 model. The table offers an improved PC system, with NVIDIA's GeForce GTX 285 graphics card. To enhance the experience for multiple users, especially locations such as musems, the company has expanded the input support to 60 simultaneous control points.
The Apple patent lawsuit filed against HTC could take a long time to resolve, analysts argue. Needham's Charlie Wolf suggests that it could be a "long and bloody battle," in part because Apple has surrounded the iPhone with a "patent moat" meant to be difficult or impossible to cross. "Apple invested heavily and imaginatively in designing a unique, disruptive smartphone," adds Wolf. "In our view, the company has every right to protect the iPhone's unique features."
Microsoft today was spotted developing a new concept for a portable multi-touch interface. Mobile Surface (link currently inactive) combines a camera and a projector to create a multi-touch interface from a much smaller device, such as a smartphone. Unlike the table-based Surface of today, it would respond in 3D and would allow interactions based on the distance from the surface and the camera.
Microsoft today created a chasm between its mobile platforms in talks with Australia's APC. The OS developer's General Manager for the Mobile Business group's Asia-Pacific region, Natasha Kwan, revealed that all Windows Mobile 6 models, even very high-end phones like the HTC HD2, would be ruled out as few if any obey the three-button guideline for the Windows Phone 7 interface. The firm's Australia Business Operations Director, Tony Wilkinson, added that the HD2 lacks some unnamed hardware features needed to make the leap.
Dell has inadvertently revealed plans for a new touchscreen notebook, the Studio 15 Touch, as evidenced by its online catalog and printed flyers. Little is offered in the way of technical specs, but the basic system includes a 2.4GHz Intel Core i5 processor and Windows 7 Home Premium preloaded onto the 320GB hard drive, along with a $999 price.
Mio today helped kick off CeBIT by launching an unusual crossover device. The Moov V780 offers the customary GPS navigation but carries a 7-inch, 800x480 display that turns it into a media tablet. It touts a web browser with Flash support as well as Exchange-capable e-mail, multi-touch capable music and photo browsers, and a dedicated YouTube client. A relatively fast 600MHz processor and graphics give it enough power to decode 720p video at native resolution through an HDMI output.
HP began the week by launching a slate of new EliteBook and ProBook models, including the company's first tablet based on Intel's new chip architecture. The EliteBook 2740p carries a 12-inch multi-touch display that also supports pens, but has a more durable body than mainstream PCs like the TouchSmart tm2. A combination of stainless steel outside and magnesium outside helps it meet the US military's 810G specs for resistance to dust, humidity and vibration.
Apple is looking to secure the name "Magic Trackpad" through the US Patent and Trademark Office, new filings show. The trademark would apply specifically under International Classification 009, within which are technologies such as touchscreens and graphics tablets. It is not clear if the name refers to a future product or an existing one.
Bringing the iPhone's multi-touch interface to Mac OS X would be a difficult prospect, say two ex-Apple workers, speaking anonymously because of non-disclosure agreements. A former senior engineer notes that it is comparatively easy to implement Apple's present Mac multi-touch efforts, which are limited to mouse and trackpad gestures in a few apps. He adds that it may be a "whole different story," however, to bring multi-touch to the desktop or all aspects of the operating system.
Pixel Qi chief Mary-Lou Jepsen in a brief session has revealed that the company's 3qi displays will find their way into other devices soon. While officially lined up only for the Notion Ink Adam tablet so far, the unique three-in-one display now has "several more" customers since January. These can't be named as the partners have to decide when to go public/
Opera on Thursday released a beta version of Opera 10.5 for Mac, following right behind the Windows version announced earlier in the week. The browser is said to integrate an improved JavaScript engine for faster page loads, while the interface now takes advantage of additional Cocoa elements. A unified tool-bar and private browsing tabs have been added, along with support for Growl notifications and multi-touch gestures.
MSI today launched a handful of new systems ahead of its CeBIT appearance, including a new GT series gaming notebook. The GT660 is intended as a desktop replacement and pays unusual attention to sound: MSI claims to have worked with a "leader in sound system design" to tune the enclosure and speakers to provide better than usual notebook audio. Performance is accordingly high with a quad Core i7 and a GeForce GTX 285M for graphics, and the GT660 is one of MSI's first notebooks with USB 3.0 ports.
We had the opportunity today for a pair of Android-related tests: both the North American version of the Motorola Milestone and the new Google Shopper beta. Since many already know the Milestone as the Droid, we'll focus primarily on its multi-touch support as a preview of the Droid's 2.1 update.
Booken has announced that its upcoming e-book reader, the Orizon, will support multi-touch input. The device integrates a 6-inch SiPix display with 800x600 resolution, along with 1GB of integrated memory and a microSD slot for further expansion. Other known specs include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and an accelerometer, while supported formats include ePub and PDF.
After an early tease, Telus this morning began carrying the Motorola Milestone and became the first North American carrier outside of Verizon to offer a variant of the Droid. Its version uses GSM and HSPA-based 3G for networking and already has multi-touch support out of the box, letting it pass on the update that added the feature to the American phone.
HTC this morning made its presence felt at Mobile World Congress by launching multiple smartphones, including its new Android 2.1 flagship. Previously known as the Bravo, the Desire becomes HTC's version of the Nexus One without Google branding. It gets an upgraded HTC Sense with a unique home screen look known as "helicopter view:" somewhat like Apple's Exposé, a pinch gesture at a home screen shows all home screens at once to jump quickly to one of them.
Microsoft at Mobile World Congress officially launched Windows Phone 7 series, its first major overhaul of its mobile OS in at least five years but also a partial step back. The new platform uses a heavily Zune-influenced design and at the home screen centers on tiles: users can pin apps, contacts, playlists and other details to the home screen. It integrates not just the Zune media player (including Zune software sync) but also Xbox Live's achievements, avatars and friends.
Nokia could upstage Mobile World Congress next week with an 'ultimate' device of its own if a rumor pans out. As part of a relabeling effort for all its smartphones, Nokia would launch the N8, the first device based on Symbian^3. Appropriately, it would carry a 3.5-inch capacitive touchscreen that supports the new multi-touch interface.
Microsoft plans to make its next version of Windows a major overhaul, an employee claimed in an MSDN blog that has been pulled but remains cached online. What most people refer to as Windows 8 will be something "completely different from what folks usually expect of Windows" and will have a broad consensus from the company. The company is depending on collaboration from "dozens and dozens of teams" to generate the final product.
Amazon has hinted at a significant change in the philosophy behind its Kindle readers with job listings at its hardware design group Lab126. One, for a Hardware Display Manager, asks for a veteran recruit with experience in the LCD market and suggests Amazon might move away from e-paper displays. It has normally used companies like E Ink (now owned by PVI) exclusively for its e-book readers.
Google and Verizon today quietly pushed an update to the Motorola Droid that brings multi-touch to the smartphone in limited form. The over-the-air 3.4 upgrade switches on pinch-to-zoom control in Google Maps. Unlike the Nexus One update, though, the change doesn't extend to the web browser or photo gallery.
