Synaptics has announced three new series of ClearPad discrete touch controllers for phones. These solutions are similar to the 3D Touch on the iPhone that can detect various levels of pressure.
First of the three controllers is the ClearPad 3700 that will add “ClearForce variable force sensing” to smartphones and SideTouch for edge gesturing such as scroll and tap. It also adds the ability to enable varied scrolling speeds, new ways to zoom and pan over pictures, contextual menus. Next up is the ClearPad 3600 which is a lower-end touchscreen controller that doesn’t include ClearForce or SideTouch but is “optimized for mainstream smartphones” and improves performance. It supports enhanced gloved touch, two finger tracking with moisture on display, multiple user-defined gesture recognition, and FaceDetectPlus that eliminates the need for a proximity sensor.
Finally there is the ClearPad 7800 that meant for large tablets, notebooks with touch screens up to 17.3 inches. It features 1mm passive pen support and excellent palm rejection performance and has also comes with dvanced moisture and glove performance along with low power wake-up gestures enhance user experience.
“Our broad patent portfolio and years of proven experience in touch technology has once again enabled us to provide smartphone OEMs and LCMs with cutting-edge user experience solutions. The latest ClearPad family of products extends into multiple market segments with exciting new functionality and underscores Synaptics’ innovation and leadership in creating unmatched touch solutions.”
said Kevin Barber, senior vice president, general manager, Smart Display Division, Synaptics.
ClearPad 3700 and 7800 series are both currently in mass production while the ClearPad 3600 series is broadly sampling with mass production slated for Q4 2015. The new pressure-sensitive screen controllers are said to debut on Android flagships.