Touchscreens are defined by their ability to detect, as well as respond to, touch commands. They don’t contain physical buttons. Rather, touchscreens consist of an interface that you can touch to control the respective device.
A capacitive touchscreen is a category of touchscreen devices that uses capacitance to detect touch commands. They create a uniform electrostatic field across the display surface, which they measure while looking for changes in its voltage. If the voltage of a capacitive touchscreen’s electrostatic field changes, it will register a touch command in that area. Below are five fun facts about capacitive touchscreens.
#1) Most Popular Type of Touchscreen
There are over a half-dozen touchscreen technologies, some of which include resistive, surface acoustic wave (SAW), infrared (IR) grid and ultrasonic. Of all the touchscreen technologies available, though, none are more popular than capacitive. Research shows that 90% of all touchscreens produced and shipped globally use capacitive technology. Based on these figures, capacitive is by far the most popular and widely used touchscreen technology on the market.
#2) First Capacitive Smartphone Was Released in 2007
Capacitive is still a relatively new touchscreen technology. While most smartphones now use it, they haven’t always used capacitive technology. In fact, it wasn’t until 2007 when the first capacitive-powered smartphone was released. Known as the LG Prada, it set the stage for other handset manufacturers to use capacitive technology.
#3) Superior Durability and Longevity
Capacitive touchscreens offer superior durability and longevity when compared to other types of touchscreens. Other touchscreens are more likely to sustain damage or experience failure. This is because they contain mechanical components, which are used to detect touch commands. Capacitive touchscreens detect touch commands as well, but they don’t use mechanical components. Rather, capacitive touchscreens use an electrostatic field to detect touch commands.
#4) 2 Types of Capacitive Technology
You might be surprised to learn that there are two primary types of capacitive technology: projected and surface. Surface capacitive touchscreens are the most basic of the two. They apply a voltage to the interface’s surface and measure this voltage. Projected capacitive touchscreens are more complex. They also apply and measure a voltage, but they use smart artificial intelligence (AI) processing to achieve increased accuracy and responsiveness.
#5) Some Capacitive Touchscreens Work With Gloves
Many people assume that capacitive touchscreens don’t support the use of gloves. If you wear gloves, your finger won’t change the device’s electrostatic field — at least that’s the common belief. While some capacitive touchscreens only work with a bare finger, others do, in fact, work with gloves. Projected capacitive touchscreens, for instance, can typically be controlled while wearing thin gloves.
