14 DAY TRIAL // Multi-touch is becoming an increasingly present feature on portable and even desktop computer systems. Moreover, with Microsoft's next-generation operating system, Windows 7, coming with native support for multi-touch gestures, the technology clearly has a bright future ahead. This is why companies such as N-Trig have every reason for continuing to further develop the technology, and to enable it on some of the upcoming PCs. As a matter of fact, N-Trig, a company that isn't as famous as Wacom in the world of touchscreen tablet PCs, has managed to provide panels for Dell's recent Latitude XT and the new Touchsmart tx2 from HP.
Lenny Engelhardt, N-Trig's vice president of Business Development, has been talking to CNet about the company's recent achievements in multi-touch technology. In addition, Mr. Engelhardt has also been discussing N-Trig's perspective on multi-touch features and gestures. "We'll remain focused on the mobile PC space, specifically high-volume, highly interactive devices," he said.
Mr. Engelhardt also said that N-Trig's technology was unlikely to show up on mobile phones, smartphones or even small-sized netbook systems, as these devices are featured with displays that are too small to benefit from the multi-touch technology. In his opinion, 17-inch portable systems are the best way for users to benefit from its many advantages. Nevertheless, it is likely that the company is working with a computer systems maker to provide multi-touch panels to a netbook or netbook-like system, which could surface even as early as 2009.
In regard to the company's future developments, Engelhardt said that, "Next year, we'll introduce an upgrade of onscreen keys known as multitouch buttons." Apparently, the company's VP of Business Development was not referring to an actual keyboard, designed to replace traditional keyboards, but rather to a set of keys designed to fulfill certain tasks in a certain application.
Mr. Engelhardt ended by naming the areas where he considered multi-touch would best benefit consumers. On that note, he talked of applications that are designed to manipulate photos, navigate maps and play simple games.