Frequently Asked Questions
What is Synaptics MobileTouch?
What options are available with MobileTouch?
What benefits does MobileTouch offer the OEM?
What benefits does MobileTouch offer the end-user?
How durable is MobileTouch?
Is MobileTouch one product?
Will MobileTouch make the handset more expensive?
Does MobileTouch affect handset battery life?
Are there any similar/competitive products on the market today?
When will MobileTouch be available for OEMs?
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What is Synaptics MobileTouch?
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Synaptics' MobileTouch™ is the first interface innovation for mobile phones since they were introduced to the market. The MobileTouch solution replaces mechanical buttons and switches with a capacitive sensor that translates gestures for scrolling, selection and cursor control into on-screen navigation. This simple enhancement makes interacting with mobile phones intuitive, and provides easy access to content and applications -- all without compromising form factor.
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What options are available with MobileTouch?
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The MobileTouch solution improves access to data services applications through a number of customizable design iterations. MobileTouch was designed to be flexible, with custom designed shapes, sizes, and functionality. A few of the MobileTouch options include:
- Capacitive scrolling sensors enabling scrolling, zooming, or control management, such as volume control
- Capacitive keypads to replace mechanical keypads, resulting in a more durable input solution, and a thinner and more streamlined industrial design and device form factor
- Capacitive sensors that lie beneath the device plastic or a mechanical keypad, enabling the dual functionality of navigation and keypad entry
Additional enhancements include lighting, tactile feedback, mechanical buttons, gestures, ballistics and mounting the capacitive sensor under plastic. Other options can be developed in conjunction with the OEM.
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What benefits does MobileTouch offer the OEM?
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In the competitive consumer market for mobile handsets, it is increasingly difficult for OEMs to distinguish their products. The MobileTouch interface enables device differentiation through rich customization options and advanced industrial design, and enables OEMs to command a premium.
In addition, the intuitive nature of MobileTouch products encourages device interaction, improving access to content and applications, ultimately increasing ARPU. By offering a simple and intuitive interface, OEMs and operators can implement additional features and functionality without impacting device form factor
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What benefits does MobileTouch offer the end-user?
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Clunky and unintuitive mobile interfaces are a common frustration of mobile phone users. Many express the desire to use applications and mobile services, but are limited by the interface. Mobile phones with MobileTouch solutions enhance the end user experience with intuitive and intelligent sensing features that simplify their interaction with their mobile device.
In addition, phones that utilize Synaptics' MobileTouch solution can be designed with a sleeker form factor. Combine form factor with a unique, futuristic interface, and users feel a pride of ownership in their device.
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How durable is MobileTouch?
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MobileTouch sensors are virtually immune to moisture, dirt and surface scratches. There are no moving parts to wear out with repeated use, or break if dropped.
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Is MobileTouch one product?
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No, MobileTouch is a capacitive sensing solution that customizes and combines features and functionality to create a simple and intuitive user interface for mobile handsets. A capacitive sensing solution can provide scrolling, navigation, and input functionality combined, or alone, and OEMs can select enhancements, such as lighting or tactile feedback to highlight those features. And because the MobileTouch capacitive sensing technology is so flexible, the solution can be mounted virtually anywhere on the mobile phone. Available in various sizes, shapes, and colors -- even under plastic -- MobileTouch is as flexible as the designer's ideas.
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Will MobileTouch make the handset more expensive?
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The price point of handsets containing Synaptics devices is determined by the OEM/ODM customer. The pricing of the MobileTouch solution to Synaptics' customers will be highly dependent on the product customization. For more information contact sales@synaptics.com
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Does MobileTouch affect handset battery life?
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The MobileTouch sensors are low power solutions that are designed to have very little impact on a handset's overall battery life.
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Are there any similar/competitive products on the market today?
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To our knowledge, MobileTouch is the first product of its kind on the market
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When will MobileTouch be available for OEMs?
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The MobileTouch solution is available now. Please contact sales@synaptics.com
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