“Me-Too” Touch Screens Don’t Cut It

By Kenton Williston

Kenton Williston

After months of over-the-top hype, the Apple iPad is out – and the reviews are decidedly lukewarm.  As I see it, the iPad’s main problem is that it is late to the party.  In the last few months we have seen a veritable flood of touch-driven devices, including e-book readers, tablet PCs, mobile Internet devices, and smart phones.  There are now so many of these devices – and so much overlap in their features and functionality – that it is difficult for new players to stand out from the crowd.  Thus the so-so reaction to the iPad: it’s a great product, but how is it different from the dozens of products that preceded it?

Apple isn’t the only company struggling to stand out.  Touch-screen interfaces are now taken for granted across a wide range of consumer, medical and industrial applications.  If you want your design to get attention, you need more than just another “me too” touch-screen design.  Instead, you need features and capabilities that give you a clear advantage over the competition.

Technological innovation is one way to distinguish your design.  For example, battery life is a key consideration in many touch-driven products, and the display is typically the biggest power hog.  This suggests that you should look for low-power touch-screen technology.  A big advantage in display power will translate directly to a major advantage over your competition.

The other way to stand out is by offering a superior user experience.  This is where I think the biggest opportunities lie.  Many of today’s touch interfaces leave a lot to be desired; I have yet to use a touch interface that I found completely intuitive.  Happily, today’s multi-touch technology gives you the opportunity to create truly innovative, natural interfaces.  If you take full advantage of this technology, you will definitely attract customers’ attention – and you won’t even need an Apple-style hype machine to do it.

Kenton Williston is editorial director at TechBites.com, an open blogging platform for technical professionals.  He also edits Intel's Embedded Innovator magazine and writes a weekly technical blog at the Intel Embedded Design Center.  Williston's past experience includes technical and managerial positions with a wide variety of companies in the semiconductor industry.