Sony unveils new optical multi-touch LCD display tech

Multi-touch LCD displays are suddenly all the rage, and it looks like Sony's planning on joining the party soon -- the company is touting a new 3.5-inch multi-touch LCD that uses optical sensing technology today. The 640 x 480 screen is made of what Sony's calling "low-temperature polysilicon thin-film transistor" tech, and it supports recognition of up to five fingers at a time, as well as pen input. Of course, there's no word on when we might see these screens pop up in actual devices, but let's hope Sony's product designers find a better use for them than chicken-scratching holiday greetings like the press photos.

[Via Engadget Japanese]

[Jonathan Bergeron @ Dec 20th 2007 4:04PM]

Why would a person use five fingers on a 3.5 inch screen? Screw multi-touch. When is that computer from Minority Report supposed to come out?

[Ayle @ Dec 20th 2007 4:21PM]

Make it 7" so that I can use it on a eeepc.

[KC @ Dec 20th 2007 4:32PM]

Sounds like a new screen for the PSP.

[Loban @ Dec 20th 2007 5:08PM]

I'm sure whatever device it ends up being used in, it will be overpriced.

[wabguard-email @ Dec 20th 2007 8:20PM]

Here Here... Sony always demands $$$ to carry their name around.
Im just gonna have to wait until a company who doesn't charge a premium for their name comes out with one...

Oh well, might as well ignore this.

[Ricardo @ Dec 20th 2007 5:10PM]

3.5"? Too big for any phone and too small for anything else. It will probably be used on some crappy digital camera. Have no idea why you would need touchscreen on a camera though...

[Andir3.0 @ Dec 20th 2007 5:28PM]

Simple on camera cropping, fewer "real" buttons, on screen combo buttons (shift + a), sliding menus, flipping through photos (ie: iPhone)... should I continue?

[labrats5 @ Dec 20th 2007 5:32PM]

Um, have you heard of GPS devices? They tend to have 3.5" touch screens.

[Ricardo @ Dec 20th 2007 5:43PM]

@Andir3.0, "real" camera buttons, as you call them, are "real" so you can press them with your eye on the viewfinder. ANY decent camera has at least a few of those buttons, while prosumer or better cameras have lots of them, so you rarely need to access any kind of menu. A camera is used to take pictures, not to show or edit them. That's what computers are for. But all that is for real cameras, which Sony isn't very fond of, except for their prosumer and SLR range.

@labrats5, why have multi-touch on a GPS?

[Andir3.0 @ Dec 20th 2007 6:19PM]

Apparently you think that everyone must use their devices in the manner you deem fit. Apparently, I have no clue how I would like to use my devices or have any idea what features would be nice. Sorry to interfere in your world.

[xB Owner @ Dec 20th 2007 6:01PM]

If you really want to be impressed by a multitouch screen check out the link to Perspective Pixel below. I got a chance to check out some of the companies hardware along with some custom software from Autodesk at AU last month. Very exciting stuff. The cost was high, but the screens were HUGE.

http://www.perceptivepixel.com/

[js @ Dec 20th 2007 7:04PM]

If you really want to be more impressed by a multitouch screen check out the iPhone at an Apple Store near you.

[xB Owner @ Dec 20th 2007 7:22PM]

The Persceptive Pixel Display goes far beyond what can be done with a "simple" iPhone. I've used both. As far as screen and multitouch technolgy goes, the Persceptive Pixel product is far and away the better product.

Maybe you should try taking a look at the link before spewing typical iFan propaganda.

[TheNNS @ Dec 20th 2007 6:03PM]

I have to point this out. LCD stands for Liquid Crystal Display. I hope the writer for this realizes they're saying "multi touch liquid crystal display display.

[zunq @ Dec 20th 2007 9:22PM]

Can't believe you all didn't bring up the Mylo 2... It has the 4:3 aspect screen and it's begging for a touch screen.

[jeti @ Dec 21st 2007 3:26AM]

I wonder how many companies will risk to produce gadgets with multi-touch panels, given that Apple tried so hard to patent every aspect of the idea.

[Sh.H @ Dec 21st 2007 4:28AM]

LTPS TFT is a universal name, all companies call it that

[silverblackvoid @ Dec 21st 2007 10:13AM]

when a particular company used this kind of technology in their particular product, every1 was going gaga over it. now when sony is innovating, every1 is bitchin. damn u people.

[js @ Dec 21st 2007 12:11PM]

It's Sony we're talking here: exploding batteries, rootkits, ATRAC, betamax, memory stick, Blu-ray, PS3, et al.