Punchable laptops? The Synaptics ForcePad
Subject: General Tech | August 23, 2012 - 04:01 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
Tagged: input, trackpad, synaptics, forcepad
We've been hearing about Synaptics ForcePad, a new type of touchpad which can register the amount force used when pushing down on trackpad and using that for alternate functions depending on how hard you push. The Tech Report actually had a chance to try out the ForcePad on a demonstration model at Synaptics. They report that while initially a little odd to get used to, as the ForcePad does not feel different when pressed harder, once they became accustomed to it they really liked its functionality. As well this technology will do away with the phantom clicks caused if the chassis warps a little because you are holding onto a corner and may also help with those times an arm hair brushes against the touchpad while you are typing causing your cursor to go a-wandering. As far as The Tech Report are concerned, the ForcePad, ThinTouch keyboard, and Series 4 ClearPad are all worth looking forward to.
"Next year, Synaptics' ForcePad will bring pressure sensitivity to touchpads. It can track five fingers independently, each with up to a kilogram of effective force in precise 15-gram increments. We got our hands on the ForcePad, among the company's other new input tech. We also fingered the ultra-slim ThinTouch keyboard, recently acquired through the purchase of Pacinian. It combines secretive switches with a side order of capacitive touch, and the keys feel as good as those of the MacBook Pro. For an encore, we've captured the latest in low-latency touchscreen tech on our high-speed camera."
Here is some more Tech News from around the web:
- Synaptics Wants To Reinvent Touch Interfaces @ Legit Reviews
- Sharkoon Skiller Gaming Keyboard @ Tweaktown
- Rosewill's RK-9000-series mechanical keyboards @ The Tech Report
- Roccat Savu Mouse Review @ Hardware Secrets
- Mad Catz Cyborg M.M.O.7 Gaming Mouse Review @ NikKTech
- Sharkoon DarkGlider Laser Gaming Mouse @ Tweaktown
- GIGABYTE Force M9 ICE Wireless Mouse Review @ Techgage
- Scuf Xbox 360 Controller Review @ eTeknix
Synaptics Announces New TouchPads And Keyboards
Subject: Mobile | August 22, 2012 - 12:51 AM | Matt Smith
Tagged: touchpad, synaptics, notebook, laptop, keyboard
The march towards thinner laptops has challenged computer manufacturers in a number of ways. When designing a laptop that’s just three-quarters of an inch thin or thinner, everything matters. Even the size of thickness of a keyboard or touchpad makes a big difference.
Synaptics is responding to these design realities with the introduction of new user interfaces. One is the ForcePad, a new type of touchpad that is capable of measuring the precise amount of force the user inputs. This makes it possible to drop physical left/right mouse buttons entirely, reducing maximum thickness from 5mm to 3mm. It also provides additional input which can be harnessed by software for precise control.
The company is also introducing a new keyboard design called ThinTouch. This keyboard redesigns (or rather, eliminates) the keyboard switch to reduce overall thickness by 30 to 50 percent without sacrificing an optional backlight. The keyboard is also force sensitive, which means that users can activate alternate characters by pressing harder instead of using the Shift key.
Both new technologies are interesting, though also potentially problematic. Of concern is the lack of key travel in the ThinTouch design, which is evident in the picture above. There’s little movement in the key, which makes me wonder what typing on this keyboard is like. I’d wager it’s not the best experience. I find it very odd that a company responsible for designing user interface elements for a laptop would seek to reduce one of the laptop’s most noticeable advantages over a tablet – a tactile keyboard.
With that said, I'm sure these devices will make their way to ultrabooks in short order. Reducing the size of the keyboard and touchpad will allow for a larger battery and/or better cooling. The battery life increase will be of particular use to OEMs, who see battery life as a nice, easy figure that can be used in marketing materials. A better battery can be explained with a handful of words. Explaining a better keyboard takes more time.
No release dates or launch products have been detailed yet. We'll probably hear more at CES 2013.
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