UPDATE: It looks like this is a similar or an update to a patent RIM filed in 2009. This new patent filing does have a different patent filing date of March 3rd, 2011. Still trying to dig further into it trying to come up with use cases for such a patent.
In case you don’t know the difference between capacitive and resistive touchscreen tech here is a simple explanation. Resistive touchscreens are the older touchscreens that require you to apply pressure on the screen like the old Palm Treo’s or the signature pads at stores and usually use a stylus. A capacitive screen is the newer type of screens on the BlackBerry Torch and competitors like the iPhone.
GoRumors spotted a RIM application for a patent for a screen tech that includes both capacitive and resistive tech. I am not sure exactly what the practical application of such a technology would yield but it sounds kind of cool. It would be nice to be able to finally use my BlackBerry to press buttons without taking my gloves off in the cold. RIM describes it that the screen would recognize that you are applying to much force for the capacitive screen and turn on the resistant tech.
Anybody have any ideas what they will do with it? Thanks Sriram for the tip!
Terrence T ( View Profile) - Posts: 1820
Posted: March 7, 2011 at 9:05 AM EST from my BlackBerry 9800 | OS 6.0.0.450
Do playbook come with it then?
Terrence T ( View Profile) - Posts: 1820
Posted: March 7, 2011 at 11:25 AM EST from my BlackBerry 9800 | OS 6.0.0.450
How about retina?
DavidB ( View Profile) - Posts: 1791
Posted: March 7, 2011 at 9:34 AM EST
SurePress successor?
mh3591 Not Registered
Posted: March 7, 2011 at 10:16 AM EST
This could be used for note taking or drawing. Resistive tech gives you a more precise line.
dpr ( View Profile) - Posts: 758
Posted: March 7, 2011 at 11:01 AM EST from my BlackBerry 8530
I’m glad that they aren’t giving up on the surepress concept (which was a great idea, just ahead of its time). Since they’re requesting a patent on it, could it possible appear on OS 7 devices? They also should also explore changing the look of the keyboard: making it look like a modern or classic typewriter keyboard, or even paino keys.
chestr ( View Profile) - Posts: 340
Posted: March 7, 2011 at 11:23 AM EST from my BlackBerry 9800 | OS 6.0.0.450
I found that with surepress I couldn’t type fast enought, every press would be have to be followed by a small pause until it would ”unpress” itself
fubaz ( View Profile) - Posts: 842
Posted: March 7, 2011 at 11:40 AM EST
I cant wait to see how this is implemented on devices and how it really works
Robby Not Registered
Posted: March 7, 2011 at 12:57 PM EST
You say you don’t know what this means?
Well, it means that people with disabilites (like me) will be able to use this touchscreen device.
People with missing fingers, or artificial hands can’t use capacitive touch screens. There’s no flesh to conduct the charge.
Myself, I have both hands, and all 10 fingers. But, when I was younger, my finger tips were burned very bad in a fire. They are calloused and, no matter what I try, I can’t get the WONDDERFUL, MAGIC, MIRICAL touch screens on iPads/iPods to work for me.
Yet, a resistive works fine for me. WHY? Because my fingers are basically just stylus’ when it comes down to it.
Just like a person with an amputated hand or missing fingers would have to use stylus.
This is ONE MORE reason why I’m a BB user for life.
fubaz ( View Profile) - Posts: 842
Posted: March 7, 2011 at 4:37 PM EST
Robby… are you the wolfman?
BarracudaBob ( View Profile) - Posts: 1020
Posted: March 7, 2011 at 8:48 PM EST
It will be interesting to see if they ever market a device with this combination. It could allow for either method of control which would be nice in some circumstances. On the other hand it could pave the way for a better version of SurePress.
ofutur ( View Profile) - Posts: 1117
Posted: March 8, 2011 at 5:32 AM EST
That means that you an use both light touch and a stylus if you want to.
If they can bring in decent character recognition and gestures, this could be a good thing for Playbook 2