Not all touchscreen devices use capacitive touch-sensing technology. In recent years, capacitive has become the leading touch-sensing technology for tablet computers, smartphones and other touchscreen devices. It’s responsive, efficient, easy to use and incredibly versatile. However, some touchscreen devices use resistive technology to identify touch commands. In this post, we’re going to explore five things that you probably didn’t know about resistive touchscreen technology and how it works.
#1) It Supports a Stylus
A key advantage of resistive touchscreen technology over capacitive is that it supports the use of a stylus. With a capacitive touchscreen device, you must make direct contact with the device’s surface using your bare finger. Otherwise, it won’t register a touch command. With a resistive touchscreen device, however, you can use your bare finger, a gloved, finger or a stylus.
#2) Fewer Erroneous Commands
You’ll also experience fewer erroneous commands when using a resistive touchscreen device. Capacitive touchscreen devices are highly responsive, partly because of the way in which they identify touch commands. Even a light-pressure touch will register a touch command. Since resistive touchscreen devices identify touch commands based on pressure, though, they aren’t as responsive. This is actually a good thing because it means that resistive touchscreen devices will register fewer erroneous commands.
#3) Increased Precision
You might be surprised to learn that resistive touchscreen devices offer greater precision when compared to capacitive touchscreen device. This is because resistive touchscreen devices can be operated with a stylus. And using a stylus, you can touch specific areas of the interface more easily. If you use your finger to control a capacitive device, you’ll end up touching a larger area. Using a stylus to control a resistive device, though, you can touch a smaller and more specific area.
#4) It Uses Multiple Layers
Although there are many ways to design a resistive touchscreen device, most feature three or more layers. The most common format consists of an upper and bottom layer of flexible material separated by a middle layer of air or inert gas. When you press your finger or stylus against the interface, it forces the upper and bottom layers to make contact, thereby allowing the device to identify your point of contact.
#5) It Support Multi-Touch Commands
Many resistive devices support multi-touch commands. What is this exactly? Multi-touch technology is a feature in touchscreen devices that allows for the use of two or more simultaneous points of contact to perform a command.
