Getac figures out multitouch input for gloved hands, doesn't know the meaning of 'impossible'

We've seen plenty of manufacturers struggle with accurate multitouch input up against our own highly-sensitive, desperately fleshly fingers, so for Getac to be touting multitouch screens that work with ordinary gloves is certainly a wild claim. Getac's new screen uses a resistive technology -- something we've seen pull off great multitouch in the past, when it really puts its mind to it -- and can track 100 points per second at a sub-35ms response time on the Getac V100 tablet's 2048 x 2048 screen. A sealed touchscreen is naturally a boon to weatherproof applications if it's actually usable, though it's enough of a chore to stab at the smaller controls in a standard desktop UI, so we shudder to think how difficult it might be with mulch-covered work gloves.

[Via Electronista]

[TikiTeko Posted Oct 8th 2009 6:57PM]

I so need this when I am gardening.... Also good for places like factories and construction. I can foresee an Apple FanBoy coming with "I can use my boxing gloves with my iPhone".....

[Monkeytofu Posted Oct 8th 2009 7:07PM]

I can use boxing gloves with my iphone.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 8th 2009 11:33PM]

This is definitely good news for Strong Bad.

[benahad Posted Oct 13th 2009 4:42PM]

No. A true fanboy would say "Apple invented this already [i] specifically [/i] to be used with boxing gloves."

[apairofdocs Posted Oct 8th 2009 7:02PM]

Am I the only one looking at the 2048x2048 Resolution in a 10 inch (I assume) screen? Or is that just the resolution of the touch part. IF it's the actual screen resolution that's some crazy pixel density.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 9th 2009 9:35AM]

The listed screen resolution on their web site is 10.4 XGA(Optional 12.1WXGA) TFT LCD, so thats 1024x768 or 1366x768 on the 12.1 widescreen.

[apairofdocs Posted Oct 8th 2009 7:04PM]

Why some one's foot? If you're a true die-hard Mac fan then you should splurge and take some one's hand. Like maybe one of the hundred's of thousand starving kid's hands who are asking for handouts that you would rather spend on your iPhone apps.

[Plothole Posted Oct 8th 2009 7:06PM]

Are you volunteering?

[BigD145 Posted Oct 8th 2009 7:06PM]

A webcam? Does this mean you can get shit in your eye?

[Adamd21 Posted Oct 8th 2009 7:12PM]

I use those same gloves at work lol.

[Mushrooshi Posted Oct 8th 2009 7:15PM]

Impossible? Engadget, I am disappointed. With capacitive, maybe not, but multitouch with gloves is definitely possible.

[Plothole Posted Oct 8th 2009 7:38PM]

Even multitouch *capacitive* with gloves is possible now...
http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/11/atmel-maxtouch-technology-promises-bigger-better-capacitve-touc/

[B3CU Posted Oct 8th 2009 10:46PM]

also,

http://www.wacom.com/touch/capacitive.cfm

[mredraider Posted Oct 8th 2009 7:24PM]

This could be EXTREMELY handy (no pun intended) on the Quality control side of the industrial plant I work in.

[TenaciousJ728 Posted Oct 8th 2009 7:39PM]

Well that takes out the frustration of taking off gloves and smudging the screen with sweaty hands! Good Job!

[sweet greggo Posted Oct 8th 2009 8:01PM]

No no no... multi touch on a resistive screen is pointless. At least, that's what engadget told me.

[smartmouth Posted Oct 8th 2009 8:31PM]

No, no, no, it wasn't engadget, it was Nilay's "PersonalExperienceWithResistiveTouchscreens.exe" program.

Oh yeah, I went there. I went there rockin!

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 8th 2009 8:41PM]

No, it's because they're not SENSITIVE enough. You practically need to scratch the screen with your nails.

I bet you need special gloves for this screen, because it's resistive. It's probably coated in nano-fingernails or something.

[mRichardy629 Posted Oct 8th 2009 8:09PM]

that's actually not true, it requires the electrical impulses from your body to work, thus capacitive touch, vs resistive

[Spiraling Shape Posted Oct 8th 2009 8:19PM]

Yes, your body stores an electric charge, as in this example: http://notalwaysright.com/wired-for-the-stone-age/2293

[fh Posted Oct 8th 2009 8:41PM]

Wow, you guys totally didn't miss the joke or anything.

[macjonny Posted Oct 8th 2009 9:08PM]

Apple invented the "multitouch" and now everyone wants to say their device has multitouch

[Plothole Posted Oct 8th 2009 9:35PM]

While Apple may have brought multi-touch to the mainstream, they did NOT invent it.

[collindow Posted Oct 9th 2009 12:46AM]

Just like Apple "invented" the mouse and the GUI!

[Brokinarrow Posted Oct 9th 2009 11:56AM]

And I suppose the US invented democracy too huh?

[N900 Posted Oct 9th 2009 12:02PM]

No, Apple invented democracy too. /s

[DaytonXD9 Posted Oct 19th 2009 6:02PM]

Hmm... good military uses. However, I'm sure the gloves add to a lot of fat-fingered "opps".

[Michael Pollard Posted Oct 13th 2009 2:59PM]

Disappointed that the screen's display resolution is not actually 2048x2048...

(And what good is having sense resolution greater than display resolution?)

[Michael Pollard Posted Oct 13th 2009 3:01PM]

Disappointed that the screen's display resolution is not actually 2048x2048...

(And what good is having sense resolution greater than display resolution?)

[Michael Pollard Posted Oct 13th 2009 3:01PM]

AAAAHHH!!! Engadet did it again! Double-post and can't delete!