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Next-Gen iPhone Displays May Support Touch with Gloves On

1B - cover - next gen projection type multitouch coming in 2011 
Today's projection-type capacitive touch-panels are becoming increasingly popular with their adoption in devices like Apple's iPhone. Compared to resistive films, however, projection-type designs have been limited in terms of the range of objects that they could sense. But a next generation touch technology may find its way into next generation 2011 iOS devices to change all of that.

 

Next Gen Projection-Type Displays

 

According to a newly published report by the Nikkei Business Publications, Japan's Hitachi Displays has developed a projection-type touch panel capable of detecting insulators such as plastic and cloth. The new touch panel is still a projection design, but could be operated even while wearing gloves. Users could select icons with the tip of a fingernail, input handwriting with a plastic pen, and enjoy a wide range of other input methods. In short, it overcomes the disadvantages that the technology had suffered from in comparison to resistive films, making possible multi-touch operation with both insulators and fingers.

 

2 - Apple may adopt next gen projection type touch panels - nov 8 2010 - news 

The new panels range from 3 to 10 inches in size, covering Apple's current lines of iOS based devices. Considering that Apple is a pioneering leader in this field, we're likely to see this technology come to iOS based devices in the coming years. 

 

Update November 9, 2010: The photo below illustrates the fact that the Projection-Type of touch panel could sense a plastic tipped stylus. This news just happens to coincide, to some extent, with Apple's latest granted patent.  

 

UPDATE - projection-style panel could sense plastic tipped stylus 

 TX - Line 

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Comments

For signing legal or other kinds of documents such as business forms (invoices etc), the stylus has its place in business. Apple sells some odds and ends for accessories and a light pen would be very much welcomed to show that they're serious about entering and wooing the business community.

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