Earlier, keyboard and mouse were mainstream input devices, but with the constant innovation in technology, things have changed. Now, touchscreen is the one of the most popular input device which can be used to do anything with just the swipe of a finger. With a press, swipe or pinching motion of a finger, a touchscreen can be used to perform various functions as well as to provide inputs. In fact, modern touch screen devices are easier to use than traditional button, keyboard and mouse operated devices.

What is a Touchscreen?

A touchscreen is a display screen that is also used as an input device. These screens range from small to large touch screen display, and are sensitive to touch and pressure. A user interacts with the large touch screen monitor by touching icons, pictures or any link on the screen. These screens are excellent alternatives to mouse or keyboard, and allow the user to interact with a computer using their index finger (which is generally preferred by most touchscreen users).

Top Touchscreen Technologies in the Market

Touch screens hold excellent potential for the future. The consistent innovations that have taken place in small and large touch screen displays have made them better than ever before. To that end, there are numerous types of touchscreen display technologies available today, and the top ones are as follows: -

• Resistive Touch

Resistive technology works on the pressure generated by touch. It is a tried and tested option, and also an economical choice. Further, resistive touch screens are extremely resilient to wear and tear and to outside elements such as dust or water, making them the best choice for high-traffic applications. These touchscreen panels are layered with a thin metallic substance that is electrically conductive and resistive, and this causes a change in the electrical current upon touch.

• Surface Acoustic Wave Touch

Surface acoustic wave or SAW technology can easily detect touch through absorption of sound waves. Most SAW displays are limited to detecting single touch points, and are typically incorporated in LED/LCD displays.  When the panel is touched, these waves are disrupted, and the location is identified. However, these screens are susceptible to technical glitches, if exposed to the weather or contaminants, and so should be kept clean and dry.

• Capacitive Touch

Capacitive touch panel is coated with a material that stores electrical charges. Upon touch, a small amount of charge is drawn to the point of contact. Capacitive touchscreens must be touched using a finger only, and not a stylus. These touch panels have high clarity and are not affected by the outside elements.

• Infrared Touch

Infrared technology panels emit a beam of invisible infrared light, and when any object comes in contact with the screen, the infrared beam will be interrupted, resulting in identification of the touch location. Infrared touch technology is fairly inexpensive compared to the other technologies.

At present, touchscreens have becomes ubiquitous in our lives, from small to large touch screen displays. Touchscreens are used in small devices like smartphones to large devices like touch screen monitors. Further, touchscreens are used in different types of devices that we come across in our everyday lives, such as smartphones, ATMs, GPSs, vending machines, gaming devices, super market terminals, computer displays, etc.