Synaptics ClearPad 4 Promises Skinnier Smartphones

Synaptics has outed its latest range of capacitive touchscreen systems for mobile devices, and the promise is even thinner electronics. The new ClearPad  Series 4 interface works with display-integrated touch panels – which combine the touchscreen layer and the display itself into one pane – and packages together the multitouch driver and the display driver itself.

That adds up to a smaller interface and, since the integrated display tech itself is thinner, the whole gadget – whether smartphone, tablet or PMP – can be smaller. Synaptics is working alongside display manufacturers and expects to be offering the first ClearPad Series 4 options to OEMs in the first half of 2011.

Press Release:

Synaptics Introduces World's First Capacitive Multi-Touch Interface Solutions for use with Integrated Displays in Mobile Devices

SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Feb. 8, 2011 – Synaptics Incorporated (NASDAQ: SYNA), announced today the world's first line of capacitive multi-touch interface solutions for use with integrated displays, the ClearPad™ Series 3 and Series 4. With on-cell and in-cell integrated displays, Synaptics makes it possible to seamlessly enable capacitive multi-touch sensing in mobile devices. Both ClearPad Series 3 and Series 4 are on-cell and in-cell display ready.

The ClearPad Series 4's revolutionary approach combines Synaptics state-of-the-art ClearPad multi-touch technology with the display driver (DDI) into a single-chip solution that delivers the most advanced display noise management and best-in-class capacitive sensing performance. Synaptics' display integration solutions provide cost effective capacitive multi-touch interfaces for mobile devices and provide the thinnest form factor with the complete elimination of a discrete sensor.

"Display-integrated touch is a whole new paradigm for touch sensor design, enabling our customers to deliver a thinner, higher-performing, multi-touch experience to the end user. ClearPad Series 3 and our new Series 4 solution are the only products on the market that can offer this" said Kevin Barber, senior vice president and general manager of the Handheld Division at Synaptics. "Series 4 further expands the design options with touch-enabled DDI, enabling display manufacturers to develop their display product offerings with Synaptics touch interfaces."

"Integrating touch into display is the best way to lower cost, reduce components, reduce weight/thickness, and improve performance." said Dr. Jennifer Colegrove, vice president, Emerging Display Technologies at DisplaySearch. "The worldwide market value of touch screen modules will reach about $14 billion in 2016, from $4.3 billion in 2009."

Synaptics is actively working with leading display companies to serve major OEMs worldwide. ClearPad Series 3 and Series 4 for display integration solutions will be available in the first half of 2011. For more detailed information contact visit www.synaptics.com.