[General Topics] tazbo28:
Ok, firstly i would like to apologize for posting an ignorant post judging ignorant people. however, I would like to redeem myself by providing my so-called "proof" that the Htc Hd2/Leo uses a resistive touch screen to provide multi-touch capabilities. Might I add that Htc is a company that has historically never fiddled around with expensive capacitive technology on most of its phones. Even on such a highend device such as the Hd. so it only makes sense that they secretly figure out some resistive/capacitive tech for a new powerhouse like the hd2.

So first off i want to post the pictures of the Hd2 which show the previously mentioned dots on the screen which would indicate a dual layer type of setup for the screen, which in turn is an indication of some sort of pressure sensitivity.

AS you can see the dot matrix is very visible. This matrix has been reported to be visible on the palm pre as well. http://forums.palm.com/palm/board/message?board.id=weboshardware&thread.id=2670&view=by_date_ascending&page=1

This following website explains the technology behind the capacitive screen which is used on the Iphone. I am only an iphone user because of the multi-touch capability. i have had an htc 8125 (my first smartphone ever) and an Att Tilt. I was able to get used to the ease of usability and decided to get a refurbished low-end 3G. I only paid 150 at the time. so this was a steal compared to my att tilt. any way i digress. that debate has been beaten to death.

http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/iphone2.htm

"Multi-touch Systems

To allow people to use touch commands that require multiple fingers, the iPhone uses a new arrangement of existing technology. Its touch-sensitive screen includes a layer of capacitive material, just like many other touch-screens. However, the iPhone's capacitors are arranged according to a coordinate system. Its circuitry can sense changes at each point along the grid. In other words, every point on the grid generates its own signal when touched and relays that signal to the iPhone's processor. This allows the phone to determine the location and movement of simultaneous touches in multiple locations. Because of its reliance on this capacitive material, the iPhone works only if you touch it with your fingertip -- it won't work if you use a stylus or wear non-conductive gloves.

A mutual capacitance touch-screen contains a grid of sensing lines and driving lines to determine where the user is touching.

A self capacitance screen contains sensing circuits

and electrodes to determine where a user is touching.

The iPhone's screen detects touch through one of two methods: Mutual capacitance or self capacitance. In mutual capacitance, the capacitive circuitry requires two distinct layers of material. One houses driving lines, which carry current, and the other houses sensing lines, which detect the current at nodes. Self capacitance uses one layer of individual electrodes connected with capacitance-sensing circuitry.

Both of these possible setups send touch data as electrical impulses."

So that covers the Iphone. As you can see the dots are nowhere in this technology. So claims that the iphone has them are simply incorrect. In the next website ill show you why the resistive screens require these dots.

http://www.touchscreenguide.com/touchscreen/res.html

"Resistive

Resistive touch screens have a flexible top layer and a rigid bottom layer separated by insulating dots, with the inside surface of each layer coated with a transparent conductive coating. Voltage applied to the layers produces a gradient across each layer. Pressing the flexible top sheet creates electrical contact between the resistive layers, essentially closing a switch in the circuit."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resistive_touchscreen

"Resistive touchscreens are composed of two flexible sheets coated with a resistive material and separated by an air gap or microdots. When contact is made to the surface of the touchscreen, the two sheets are pressed together, registering the precise location of the touch. Because the touchscreen senses input from contact with nearly any object (finger, stylus/pen, palm) resistive touchscreens are a type of "passive" technology.

For example, during operation of a four-wire touchscreen, a uniform, unidirectional voltage gradient is applied to the first sheet. When the two sheets are pressed together, the second sheet measures the voltage as distance along the first sheet, providing the X coordinate. When this contact coordinate has been acquired, the uniform voltage gradient is applied to the second sheet to ascertain the Y coordinate. This operation occurs instantaneously, registering the exact touch location as contact is made.

Resistive touchscreens typically have high resolution (4096 x 4096 DPI or higher), providing accurate touch control. Because the touchscreen responds to pressure on its surface, contact can be made with a finger or any other pointing device."

And now i would to provide links to different companies which are offering the NEW RESISTIVE MULTI-TOUCH DISPLAY technology. This is probably what i believe is in the Palm Pre and will be in the new HTC HD2.

http://www.gizmag.com/getac-multi-touch/13078/

here is how that tech works, however from a different company doing the same thing, Stantum Technology.....

http://www.touchuserinterface.com/2009/06/how-stantums-resistive-multi-touch.html

http://www.umpcportal.com/2009/02/multi-touch-comes-to-resistive-touchscreens/

http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/19/stantums-mind-blowing-multitouch-interface-on-video/

So in conclusion i think ive made my argument. If you believe what those trade-show reps say on the showroom floor then thats your prerogative. All im saying is that maybe those people who fumble with the phones on the show floor are just told what to say and what not to say. ive seen countless videos where they are asked questions that they have no idea on how to respond to because they dont understand the technology behind the devices that they are presenting.

Even if Htc is implementing multi-touch tech in this new device, i am not convinced that it is being executed through the same means as the Iphone capacitive screen. I am NOT saying that it is better in any way. I am just stating the differences between the two that i think most people will not understand when the phone comes out.

please comment with sources if youd like to refute any of this. thanks. hope im not bursting anyones bubble here.

vince

p.s. i will go back to winmo for this phone next year!!