Upgraded maXTouch technology solution supporting large touch screens [Atmel]

Atmel Corporation announced that it has expanded its maXTouch technology to enable advanced capacitive touch capabilities on larger touch screens. Atmel's maXTouch technology solution has quickly become the touch technology solution of choice for smartphones, and now supports a variety of emerging products with screens up to 15 inches, including touch-enabled tablets, smartbooks, mobile Internet devices (MIDs), netbooks, notebooks, and a range of industrial applications.

maXTouch technology features true unlimited touch capabilities and stylus input support, enabling very interesting and innovative software applications and user interaction features on a single screen. This chip technology, coupled with proprietary algorithms, can provide higher performance and faster response times, thereby enhancing the user experience. The maXTouch technology solution that supports larger screens is an enhancement of existing maXTouch products, providing best-in-class configurability and surpassing current user interface requirements for advanced touch screen functionality. Its advanced features include unlimited touch and rejection of false touches; zoom/zoom and rotation gestures; stylus support; handwriting and shape recognition features, such as face detection for mobile phones; and hand-holding and palm pressure touch rejection on MID and netbook screens.

Atmel's maXTouch technology solutions have low power consumption, which can extend the battery life of portable devices, not only bringing convenience to users, but also improving work efficiency. It also has extremely high touch accuracy and linearity, allowing users to use a stylus or write accurately with their fingers on a tablet computer or other touch application devices with touch function. These technology solutions come with a complete set of software drivers and advanced touch functions, such as finger shrinking/expanding the screen, stylus character writing, and gestures to achieve page turning functions for e-books and multi-page applications.

"By 2014, touchscreen PC demand will exceed 115 million units, making the PC the fastest growing segment of touch technology in the market," said Rhoda Alexander, director of display research at iSuppli. "Slate tablets will lead the way and fuel the already growing demand for touch-enabled netbooks, notebooks, monitors and all-in-one desktops. Consumers' expectations for touch functionality will quickly evolve from simple two-finger solutions to eight or more, with improved tactile feedback and handwriting recognition. Powerful multi-chip solutions will be the driving force behind this growth, driving a rapid expansion of functionality and becoming the foundation for this diverse market."

"Atmel is committed to driving the development of the touch technology market. With the recent adoption of touch screens in smartbooks, MIDs and netbooks, consumers are demanding better touch experiences," said Peter Jones, managing director and general manager of Atmel's Microcontroller and Touch Solutions business unit. "Atmel's maXTouch technology solutions will provide users with a more unique experience, and we will continue to bring more innovative solutions to the market to enhance the user experience of touch applications."