![\"touchscreens-1\"](\"http:\/\/blogs.thinmanager.com\/thinclients\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/touchscreens-1-1.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nThey can bring you a world of information and services at the touch of your finger. Touchscreens on electronic devices allow almost anyone to control and operate digital gadgets with a mere tap. Let\u2019s take a look at how touchscreens work and the ways they are changing our present and our future.<\/p>\n
How Touchscreens Work<\/h2>\n
There are two basic types of touchscreens: resistive and capacitive. (1)<\/p>\n
Resistive<\/b><\/p>\n
Resistive touchscreens are the most common type of touchscreens. They\u2019re typically found at ATMs and kiosks that distribute movies on DVR, etc.<\/p>\n
How it works<\/i><\/p>\n
The screen consists of two electronic layers. Press your finger on the screen and the flexible top layer (glass or plastic) touches the one on the bottom, creating an electronic current that sends a message to the software inside.<\/p>\n
Capacitive<\/b><\/p>\n
Capacitive screens are generally found on the devices we now use everyday: smartphones, electronic tablets, GPS navigation, etc.<\/p>\n
How it works<\/i><\/p>\n
Capacitive screens have electric sensors, which react to the natural AC electric current that runs through the human body. When a command is selected, the device\u2019s AC current combines with our own AC current and the circuit is completed. Microcontrollers complete the command.<\/p>\n
Brief History of Touchscreens<\/h2>\n
How have we gotten in touch with this technology? (2)<\/p>\n
1965 \u2013 First finger-driven touchscreens invented by E.A. Johnson<\/p>\n
1970 \u2013 Dr. G. Samuel Hurst invents the first resistive touchscreen<\/p>\n
1982 \u2013 First human-controlled multi-touch device developed at University of Toronto<\/p>\n
1983 \u2013 Hewlett Packard releases the HP-150, one of the first touchscreen computers.<\/p>\n
1993 \u2013 The first touchscreen phone, the Simon Personal Computer, is launched by IBM and BellSouth. Apple also released the Newton touch-sensitive PDA<\/p>\n
2002 \u2013 Sony SmartSkin introduces mutual capacitive touch recognition<\/p>\n
2008 \u2013 Microsoft introduces the Surface tabletop touchscreen. It could recognize several touchpoints at the same time.<\/p>\n
2011 \u2013 Microsoft and Samsung introduce PixelSense technology, in which an infrared backlight reflects light back to sensors that convert it into electronic signal.<\/p>\n
At Your Fingertips<\/h2>\n
There are a growing number of electronic devices that use touchscreen technology, with many more uses on the horizon (percentage of Americans using devices in parenthesis): (3, 4, 5, 6)<\/p>\n
Smartphones (64%)<\/p>\n
Tablets (42%)<\/p>\n
eBook readers (32%)<\/p>\n
Portable game devices (35%)<\/p>\n
Automobiles\/GPS navigators (30%)<\/p>\n
Computer monitors (78%)<\/p>\n
Shipments of touchscreen panels for devices (7)\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n
2012: 1.3 billion<\/p>\n
2013: 1.8 billion<\/p>\n
2016*: 2.8 billion<\/p>\n
*Projected<\/p>\n
Touching on the Benefits \u2026 and Drawbacks<\/h2>\n
Benefits\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n
There are distinct advantages to touchscreen technology. (8, 9)<\/p>\n
Speed<\/i><\/p>\n
Touchscreens are faster. With a trackball or mouse, the user has to locate the cursor, then position it to compete a task. Touchscreens react instantly to the point of contact.<\/p>\n
Ease of use<\/i><\/p>\n
Touchscreens are more intuitive, allowing the user to simply point to control it.<\/p>\n
Size<\/i><\/p>\n
Touchscreens allow devices to become smaller, since they combine data entry with the display. No need for keyboards, cords, etc.<\/p>\n
Accessibility<\/i><\/p>\n
Touchscreens make it easier for those with disabilities to use computer technology. For example, people with mobility issues can simply use a finger or a stylus.<\/p>\n
Creativity<\/i><\/p>\n
Touchscreens can allow artists to \u201cdraw\u201d directly on the screen.<\/p>\n
Limitations\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n
Touchscreens, however, do have some drawbacks. (10)<\/p>\n
Human touch needed<\/i><\/p>\n
Touchscreens require direct contact from the user\u2019s skin to activate. Therefore, the devices cannot detect touches from users wearing gloves (though special touch-sensitive gloves have been developed).<\/p>\n
Orientation<\/i><\/p>\n
Most touchscreens (phones, tables, etc.) are used vertically, unlike computer screens. Some think that makes computer screens incompatible with touchscreen technology.<\/p>\n
Method of usage<\/i><\/p>\n
Personal touchscreens devices are generally held close to the user. Computer screens are usually several feet away. The user has to reach to use them and arm fatigue can set in.<\/p>\n
Wear and tear<\/i><\/p>\n
Bigger touchscreens mean shorter battery life. Also, they may be hard to keep clean.<\/p>\n
Future of Touchscreens<\/h2>\n
While touchscreen technology has made smartphones and tablets widely popular, new devices using touchscreens are on the horizon: (11, 2)<\/p>\n
Home appliances<\/i><\/p>\n
Touchscreens on refrigerators and washing machines\/dryers can give vital information and even deliver the day\u2019s news!<\/p>\n
Video games<\/i><\/p>\n
Some video game makers are already ditching button controllers for touchscreens that allow players to tap their way to victory.<\/p>\n
Feel<\/i><\/p>\n
Researchers are working on touchscreens that use \u201cmicrofluid technology\u201d to create buttons that \u201crise up\u201d from the surface and touchscreens in 3-D.<\/p>\n
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