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Talking with Elo: Trends coming in touchscreen tech
As touchscreen technology becomes more ubiquitous in the digital signage space, we are seeing several trends emerge, both on the technology side and the application side, such as force sensing sensors and apps specifically built for touchscreens.
March 14, 2019 by Bradley Cooper — Editor, ATM Marketplace & Food Truck Operator
Many digital signage end users are no longer simply aiming to attract eyeballs, they want to draw in customers for more personal interaction. The most obvious solution is to integrate a touchscreen into a display.
As touchscreen technology becomes more ubiquitous in the digital signage space, we are seeing several trends emerge, both on the technology side and the application side, such as force sensing sensors and apps specifically built for touchscreens.
Digital Signage Today spoke with Luke Wilwerding, senior director of North American sales at Elo, to get his perspective on the biggest trends in the touchscreen space.
Q. What are some of the biggest trends right now in touchscreen technology?
A. One big trend we are seeing is applications being used for interactive touchscreen experiences. Whether it's an in-store experience, warehouse application or productivity tool, most apps are now being written with the assumption it will be used with a touchscreen, further accelerating touchscreen adoption.
Another trend that's gaining popularity is the idea that the bigger the screen, the more beautiful it is. As the cost of larger touchscreen technology decreases, we are seeing greater adoption of 22-inch and larger touchscreen usage for customer facing applications.
Finally, we are also seeing a migration in regard to the orientation of digital experiences. Most retailers and brands are moving from wide aspect screen sizes to portrait orientation screens, giving customers an experience like the smartphones they are used to. Although there will continue to be use cases where content looks best in landscape, the trend is moving towards portrait orientation. Considerations should be made regarding the viewing angle of the video screen and orientation manageability so that touchscreens keep the proper orientation through reboots and updates.
Q. Will we see more innovative tools in the future, such as force-sensing touchscreens? Why or why not?
A. Yes, everyone is looking for a way to create a differentiated interactive experience for their customers. One innovative change making its way into the market is the ability to support projective capacitive at an attractive price point across a wide range of sizes enabling a consistent consumer touchscreen experience.
Other innovations are around water immunity and the use of thicker glass enabling a wider variation of environments for touchscreens. However, much of the innovation is occurring with the use or application of touchscreens instead of the touchscreen technology itself. This includes enhanced capabilities for supporting secure payments with a touchscreen and advancements in self-service, which include new use cases for simplifying the consumer experience. Force sensing touch is another feature that companies have been trying to utilize but isn’t catching on in popularity.
Q. How can end users maintain touchscreen accuracy?
A. With today's touchscreen technology like projective capacitive, calibration is almost a thing of the past. End users should look for touchscreens partners where calibration is not required, and the supplier offers robust driver capabilities for unique and legacy touchscreen applications.
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