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Synaptics shows conceptual trackpad interface with Windows 8, better make it a reality (video)

It's pretty obvious from Microsoft's outing of Windows 8 that touch is going to be a real focal point, but on machines that lack a touchscreen, it'll be the trackpad pulling weight. Synaptics, a famed touchpad maker, has just outed a new concept video demonstrating how its products will eventually -- in theory, anyway -- interact with Microsoft's forthcoming desktop OS. We've made no bones about the fact that most Windows-based laptops could use a serious lesson in trackpad awesomeness, and while there's no way to know for sure that the latest Series 7 ClearPad and ClickPad solutions will feel like they need to, the video hosted up after the break sure gives us reason to be optimistic.



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Synaptics Co-Engineering Partnership with Microsoft Raises the Bar in TouchScreen Technology

Synaptics to Demonstrate Innovative Windows 8 Touch Technology Solutions During Microsoft Ecosystem Summit in Taipei


TAIPEI, Taiwan, Nov. 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Synaptics Inc. (NASDAQ: SYNA), a leading developer of human interface solutions for mobile computing, communications and entertainment devices, will be displaying its latest Series 7 ClearPad™ and ClickPad™ solutions targeted for Microsoft Windows 8 during the Microsoft Ecosystem Summit from November 8-10 in Taipei. One of three official co-engineering partners for the touch interface in Windows 8, Synaptics provides industry leading system level engineering knowledge, combined with its broad portfolio of touch technology, to enhance the touch user experience for Windows 8.

Synaptics ClearPad Series 7 recently received a perfect score on Microsoft's official qualification scorecard for both x86 (HID-USB) and ARM (HID-I2C) based implementations. In a private suite at the Microsoft Ecosystem Summit this week, Synaptics will be demonstrating its Series 7 high performance capacitive touch solution that supports both 10.1" and 11.6" touchscreens in "clamshell" notebook and slate form factors.

"The time for PC OEMs to design for Windows 8 with touch has arrived. Synaptics is excited to deliver on the promise of advanced touchscreen and innovative TouchPad technology, which will play an important role in how users interact with their Windows 8 PCs and tablets," said Mark Vena, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Synaptics' PC Division. "We're especially enthusiastic about new product concepts like Intel's thin and light Ultrabook which will take special advantage of Synaptics' technology."

As an exclusive during the Microsoft Ecosystem Summit, Synaptics will preview a Windows 8 Multi-Touch ClickPad leveraging the InterTouch™ high speed interface, a combination that provides a compelling end user experience. The preferred MetroUX touchscreen experience will utilize a Synaptics TouchPad for fast and fluid navigation, replacing the standard keyboard and mouse that users experience with a typical touchpad. This concept leverages three key Synaptics components: the proprietary Windows 8 SGS (Synaptics Gesture Suite) driver, a large gesture area ClickPad™ with Image Sensing technology and an InterTouch high speed interface. Synaptics believes these are the essential technical ingredients for creating a great user experience.

Synaptics Image Sensing technology enhances the Windows 8 platform by providing full-time tracking of up to 10 fingers simultaneously when used with a recommended 100 x 56mm ClickPad. Synaptics InterTouch is a high speed, low cost interface that utilizes an industry standard high bandwidth internal bus for true Multi-Touch "Full-Time Finger Tracking." This technology approach creates the rich, gesture-driven user experience that Windows 8 multi-touch applications are intended to deliver.

To learn more about the technology, view the concept video at: http://www.synaptics.com/solutions/technology/windows8/ConceptVideos.

Please contact your Synaptics partner to arrange a briefing during the Windows Ecosystem Summit.

For up-to-the-minute Synaptics news, follow @SynaCorp on Twitter. For more information on Synaptics' products and solutions, please visit www.synaptics.com .