Synaptics TouchPad Technology Extends into the Digital Living Room

Synaptics is currently working with Philips Home Control, a leading wireless input and control solution provider, on implementing an optimized hardware-level specification for TouchPad technology that provides easy integration into remote control devices to improve the usability of these complicated user interfaces and increase the interaction between users and content. TouchPad technology allows users to navigate a cursor, scroll through menus and media libraries, and make selections similar to how they would on a PC notebook in a highly-productive, intuitive, and efficient manner.

“We believe that our touch technology will significantly improve the entertainment experience in a transition similar to what we have seen in the mobile space -- increased data and content on smartphones required a dynamic, touch-oriented, and gesture-based interface,” said Mark Vena, senior vice president and general manager of Synaptics’ PC division. “In the digital living room, remote control devices can benefit from intuitive capacitive touch interaction such as pointing or scrolling gestures. New usage models for entertainment such as Google TV and Windows 7 Media Center will bring more functionality, content, and complexity to the media experience such that button controls will not provide a friendly user experience.”

Microsoft, Logitech, Sony, and Medion have utilized Synaptics TouchPad technology in the remote control category for several years, originating with Synaptics’ “Boomerang” concept remote control in 2007. Synaptics believes that the adoption of its TouchPad and gesture technology in the remote control device category will experience initial momentum with bundled remotes (e.g. combined with set-top boxes or HDTVs) where advanced functionality is more widely available.