Amazon Said to Buy Touch Start-Up

[kjk]

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/04/te.../04amazon.html

Touchco uses a technology called interpolating force-sensitive resistance, which it puts into displays that can be completely transparent and could cost as little as $10 a square foot. The capacitive touch screens used in the iPad and iPhone are considerably more expensive. Unlike those screens, the Touchco screens can also detect an unlimited number of simultaneous touch points.

Touchco’s technology uses resistors that are sensitive to different levels of pressure. It has said its screens can distinguish between the touch of a finger and the pressure of a pen or similar pointing device. The company had designed its technology to work well with full-color LCD screens, similar to those used in the iPad and Hewlett-Packard’s coming line of tablet PCs. The technology could allow Amazon to introduce a full-color touch-screen Kindle, raising the question of whether the device’s current displays, which are made by a company called E Ink will play a role in the next round of reading devices

[wallcraft]

The speculation in the article about Amazon's plans seems a little premature, given that this was a start up.

Touchco's web page and videos have been taken down, but from GottaBeMobile.com:

They also present a pairing of their digitizer beneath a flexible e-ink screen that works just fine… sort of.

This acquisition must indicate that Amazon is working on something with touch, either an input pad or a touch screen. This isn't exactly surprising, but it may also indicate that products are 6 months or more away.

[TallMomof2]

Glad that Amazon is working on the future.

[anurag]

Interesting - here's a video of their technology:

http://v.cnmo.com/news/13/12055.html

[fugazied]

Originally Posted by anurag

Interesting - here's a video of their technology:

http://v.cnmo.com/news/13/12055.html

Interesting stuff. The capabilities look incredible, but I wonder if it can match the response speed of capacitive touchscreens.

[Sonist]

Very impressive.

[angelad]

Amazon has the resources and a bit of a leg up on a competition with an in-built market, so they should be looking ahead, long term.

[Daithi]

That was a pretty impressive video -- a bit more than just the kind of touch screen functionality needed for a standard eReader. During the recent CES show a spokesperson for Qualcomm all but said that Amazon would be using their Mirasol technology. I can envision a really revolutionary device being released by Amazon that combines these technologies. Just how soon is another question.

[daffy4u]

Originally Posted by anurag

Interesting - here's a video of their technology:

http://v.cnmo.com/news/13/12055.html

I don't know how you found that link but thanks. Very cool!

[kjk]

Originally Posted by Daithi

That was a pretty impressive video -- a bit more than just the kind of touch screen functionality needed for a standard eReader

Would definitely like to see that kind of interface for a 3-D modeling program-it would be like sculpting.

[rebarnmom]

Wow! That looks really cool! Thanks for sharing the link to the website video!

[LDBoblo]

Even though I probably will not buy the next iteration of Kindle unless it has great software, I am really eager to see what they can do with Mike Nash, this touchscreen purchase, and rumors of Mirasol...

[anurag]

Originally Posted by daffy4u

I don't know how you found that link but thanks. Very cool!

You're welcome - I found that link on Stephen Windwalker's Kindle Blog: http://kindlehomepage.blogspot.com/2...lor-touch.html

[daffy4u]

Originally Posted by anurag

You're welcome - I found that link on Stephen Windwalker's Kindle Blog: http://kindlehomepage.blogspot.com/2...lor-touch.html

Thanks for the new link. This makes me want to hold off on both the new iRex and the Que. If the DX 2 has touch (though I still want a physical keyboard as well) and color (and works well), I'd be all over it.

[markbot]

looking forward to a color touch device within a year