Atmel maXTouch now enabling the big screen

SAN JOSE, USA: Atmel Corp., a leader in microcontroller and touch solutions, announced its maXTouch technology can enable advanced capacitive touch functionality for large format touchscreens.

Rapidly becoming the favored touch technology solution for smartphones, Atmel's maXTouch solutions now support large touchscreens up to 15 inches for emerging products including touch-enabled tablets, smartbooks, mobile Internet devices (MIDs), Netbooks, PC notebooks, and a range of industrial applications.

With true unlimited touch functionality and stylus support, the maXTouch technology will enable exciting new applications and user interactions on one screen. The chip technology, combined with proprietary algorithms, will offer higher performance and faster response times to provide a better user experience.

The larger screen solution is an enhancement of existing maXTouch products that provide best-in-class configurability to exceed today's user interface requirements. Advanced touchscreen functionality includes unlimited touches and rejection of unintended touches; stretch/pinch and rotate gestures; stylus support; handwriting and shape recognition, including face detection on mobile phones; grip suppression and palm rejection on MIDs and Netbook screens.

The lower power consumption of Atmel's maXTouch solutions enables longer battery life for portable devices to provide users more productivity and convenience. Based on the touch accuracy and linearity in maXTouch solutions, users can draw more accurately with a stylus or their fingers on touch-enabled tablets and other touch applications.

These solutions come complete with a full suite of software drivers and advanced touch functionality for finger pinch to expand a screen, stylus support for character writing, and gesturing to turn pages for eBooks and multi-page applications.

"Touchscreen demand in personal computers will exceed 115 million screens by 2014, placing PCs as the fastest growing touch opportunity in today's market," said Rhoda Alexander, director of monitor research at iSuppli Corp.

"Slate tablets will lead the charge and spur the already growing demand for touch-enabled Netbooks, notebooks, monitors, and all-in-one desktop computers. Consumer expectations for touch functionality will rapidly move past simple two-finger solutions to eight-finger and more, improved tactile feedback, and handwriting recognition. Powerful, multi-chip solutions will be a key part of this growth, allowing for the rapid expansion of functionality and form essential to this diverse market."

"Atmel is committed to the touch market segment. With the recent adoption of touchscreens for smartbooks, MIDs and Netbooks, consumers continue to demand a better touch experience," said Peter Jones, managing director and general manager for microcontroller and touch solutions, Atmel Corporation. "Atmel's maXTouch solutions will offer consumers a more unique user experience. The company will continue to bring more innovative solutions to market to enhance the user experience for touch applications."