Synaptics

Synaptics has debuted the first fingerprint sensing hardware for laptops and other devices that is completely self-enclosed, or "off the grid" in that it doesn't rely on other parts of a computer when authenticating a fingerprint. The company calls its technology "match-in-sensor," and says it will allow more secure transactions on computers as users get more accustomed password-free logins. By isolating fingerprint authentication, it prevents threats like malware on the computer gaining access to the data.

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The idea of adding more functionality to the keys on your keyboard may sound like an annoyance in the making, but Synaptics might have just come with something that could really work. The company has just announced its SmartBar technology at Computex, which basically turns the top of the spacebar into a capacitive touch pad. Think of using touch-based gestures like pinching and swiping on your keyboard, a bit like Apple's recent patent that turns it into a giant trackpad, except only on the big, horizontal key.

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Your fingerprint is more important than you think. J Edgar Hoover may have been right about it being a useful law enforcement tool, but fingerprints are also a good option for securing your mobile devices. Synaptics, a leader in the field of biometric recognition, is announcing their Natural ID will be made available for high-end mobile devices. The benefit of Natural ID is that it needs a touch, not a swipe. That will have more mobile device emulating Apple’s class-leading Touch ID.

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With the FIDO Alliance announcing their new standard for authentication, a variety of methods for unlocking your device are now plausible and likely for the near future. One of those methods is biometrics, where a fingerprint is scanned, unlocking your device and/or the features within. To better take advantage of what FIDO is doing and provide us another layer of security without the need for a plug-in, Synaptics is announcing the SecurePad. By cobbling the fingerprint scanner into the touchpad you’re already familiar with, Synaptics hopes your next log-in won’t need the keyboard at all.

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It would seem that one of the biggest names behind the touchscreens you use every day, Synaptics, have made the push for a next-generation solution for Windows 8.1 with Active Pen abilities. What this means for future Windows 8.1 device makers is that they'll be able to say they've got pen support right out of the box and/or include a pen with the device they're creating. In what may prove to be a situation similar to what we've seen with the rather successful Samsung Galaxy Note series, the folks at Synaptics are making pen usage on devices - both mobile and stationary - a feature baked in at a hardware level.

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Biometric Fingerprint Authentication solutions group Validity have been announced this afternoon to have been acquired by human interface solutions group Synaptics. This acquisition will have the two growing companies aim for a new more solid goal in creating a full, top-to-bottom experience for tablets, smartphones, and notebook PCs. Technology developed by Validity will soon be integrated in with Synaptics own, "underscoring the company's commitment to making smart devices easier to use."

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This week the folks at Synaptics are making it clear what they've contributed to one of the most decorated gaming products at CES 2013: the Razer Edge Pro Gaming System. This machine has been shown as using none other than the Synaptics ClearPad 7300 Single-Chip Touch Controller, made with technology that's able to work with not only this device, but a wide variety of devices across the touch spectrum.

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Multitouch gestures on trackpads have become common place on laptops over the past few years, but they’re going to get a serious boost with the release of Windows 8. Synaptics is trying to make sure that the user experience will be up to snuff, today demoing its new ForcePad technology. The tech will not only bring improved sensitivity and multitouch gestures to touchpads, but also add support for force detection.

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Although high-end smartphones are all the rage right now, Synaptics, whose touchscreen technologies are used by Apple and many other major manufacturers, isn't neglecting the mid-range and entry-level markets. The company announced today a new Synaptics ClearPad 2200 touchscreen controller technology aimed at lower-range devices with screens smaller than 4 inches.

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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.

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Synaptics has announced its play for the tablet touchscreen market, with the new ClearPad 7200 Series of capacitive touch-panels.  Available in sizes up to 10.1-inches, the ClearPad 7200 Series supports up to ten simultaneous points of contact together with the usual multitouch gestures like pinch-zoom and chiral-rotate.

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I think most of us will agree that it is great to see the lowly track pad on the notebook has made some very big changes for the better over the last few years. The track pad has gone from a simple pointing device to something that recognizes gestures and more.

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