Over the past two decades, touch screen technology has seen rampant growth. From interactive displays to smartphones, to tablets, the adaptations of touch screen technology seem endless.
By making the most of this innovative technology, modern businesses can enjoy immense benefits (and find one at any reputable supplier e.g. RS Components). These benefits include increased sales, improved customer relationships, and saved money and time.
Read on to learn more about the types of touch screen technology your business should invest in to stay ahead of the game.
What is touch screen technology?
Touch screen technology is gestured-based. This means users can interact with the screen through various physical gestures, such as tapping or swiping. Touch screens are electronic displays and can replace the traditional functions of a keyboard and mouse.
Touch screens comprise a touch panel combined with a display device. Most modern touch screens will feature an LCD or OLED screen as the display device. Users can interact with a modern touch screen with their fingertips, while styluses or special gloves were used in the past.
The type of touch screen technology you choose will depend on your business’s needs.
‘Resistive’ touch screen technology
Resistive touch screen technology is the most prominent type on the market today. Resistive touch screen monitors feature a film screen and a glass panel covered with a thin metallic layer. When not in use, there is a narrow gap between the film screen and the glass panel.
When users interact with the screen with their finger, gloved hand, pen, or stylus, the gap closes, initiating an electrical flow.
Resistive technology has several benefits, including:
- A tactile feel
- Usability with nearly any object, including styluses, gloved hands, and fingers
- Inexpensive
- Minimal power consumption
- Resistance to contaminants such as grease, moisture, and dust
The technology also has some disadvantages, such as weaker image clarity and vulnerability to scratching.
Resistive technology is a versatile and low-cost option for businesses where precise image clarity isn’t vital.
‘Surface capacitive’ technology
After resistive technology, surface capacitive technology is the next most common type of touch screen. This type of touch screen comprises a glass panel and an electrode layer topped with a protective cover. When a finger touches the screen, it will react with the finger’s static electricity.
These screens will only work when touched by a human finger or an electrically charged stylus.
Surface capacitive touch screens feature:
- Clearer imagery
- A damage, scratch, and contaminant-resistant screen
- Sensitivity to electromagnetic interference (EMI)
You may choose a surface capacitive screen if clearer imagery and damage resistance are essential for your business. This may be the case for interactive advertising or menu screens used by hundreds of consumers each day.
Conclusion
By investing in modern touch screen technology, your business can attract more customers, build stronger consumer relationships, and stay ahead of the technological game.
The type of touch screen technology you choose will depend on your budget and your business’s needs. Of the two most common touch screen technologies, resistive technology is more versatile and budget-friendly, while surface capacitive technology is more durable and offers a clearer image.
