Is the screen non-multi touch by hardware or software

[Trel]

Is the screen on the Droid not multitouch due to hardware or software?
And if it's software is it in such a way that an app couldn't do it?

 

[Fabolous]

Every capacitive screen is multi-touch.

Do not confuse multi-touch with pinch to zoom.

The Droid does not support pinch zoom in any of it's native apps, but the hardware support is there, and AFAIK, there are APIs for it.

So go download PicSay from the market and see for yourself. It supports pinch to zoom.

 

[Trel]

Every capacitive screen is multi-touch.

Do not confuse multi-touch with pinch to zoom.

The Droid does not support pinch zoom in any of it's native apps, but the hardware support is there, and AFAIK, there are APIs for it.

So go download PicSay from the market and see for yourself. It supports pinch to zoom.

Does that mean that pinch zoom could be added in a future software update then?

 

[doomedromance]

Does that mean that pinch zoom could be added in a future software update then?

Not unless Apple quits being DBs or Google grows some balls.

 

[eclipsed4utoo]

Every capacitive screen is multi-touch.

Do not confuse multi-touch with pinch to zoom.

The Droid does not support pinch zoom in any of it's native apps, but the hardware support is there, and AFAIK, there are APIs for it.

So go download PicSay from the market and see for yourself. It supports pinch to zoom.

pinch-to-zoom is a type of multi-touch. multi-touch is the technology to distinguish when multiple fingers touch the screen...which is what pinch-to-zoom does. so pinch-to-zoom is one of the multi-touch capabilities.

And yes, Android 2.0 supports multi-touch APIs.

 

[Deleted User]

Software thing. I have a feeling Google/Motorola are waiting to see how Apple's patent application turns out.

My question is this.. who has the patent on the single touch? Also, why are they not raising some hell about all of these phones???

 

[eclipsed4utoo]

Not unless Apple quits being DBs or Google grows some balls.

actually, it can be added without a problem. Apple owns the patent for it. However, their patent is very specific. The patent is layout out like a major patent with numerous sub-patents(don't know how else to explain it). To infringe on the "multi-touch" patent, Google would have to copy EVERY sub-patent. If Google leaves one of those sub-patents out, then they are not infringing on the patent. This is why Palm has not been sued by Apple.

 

[eclipsed4utoo]

Software thing. I have a feeling Google/Motorola are waiting to see how Apple's patent application turns out.

My question is this.. who has the patent on the single touch? Also, why are they not raising some hell about all of these phones???

Apple already has the patent for multi-touch. It's had it since January.

 

[doomedromance]

actually, it can be added without a problem. Apple owns the patent for it. However, their patent is very specific. The patent is layout out like a major patent with numerous sub-patents(don't know how else to explain it). To infringe on the "multi-touch" patent, Google would have to copy EVERY sub-patent. If Google leaves one of those sub-patents out, then they are not infringing on the patent. This is why Palm has not been sued by Apple.

well then... Google needs to grow some balls. Come on, bring a couple cream puffs to go along with that eclair.

 

[eclipsed4utoo]

well then... Google needs to grow some balls. Come on, bring a couple cream puffs to go along with that eclair.

maybe they don't understand patent law? possible.

 

[gwlaw99]

someone will hack the droid for pinch zoom now that the source code is out. Picsay already has it.

 

[eclipsed4utoo]

someone will hack the droid for pinch zoom now that the source code is out. Picsay already has it.

nobody has to hack the DROID to get multi-touch. It is already in the SDK. Any developer can add it to their applications.

now, if you wanted multi-touch with the core apps(maps, browser, etc.), you will either have to wait for Google to add it, or Google to release the source code for Android(which they will do), and have somebody add multi-touch to those apps. A guy is already going to do it for the browser once the source code is released.

 

[tsaunders]

I hope this happens soon. I really like the pinch/zoom feature.

 

[Mapex]

nobody has to hack the DROID to get multi-touch. It is already in the SDK. Any developer can add it to their applications.

now, if you wanted multi-touch with the core apps(maps, browser, etc.), you will either have to wait for Google to add it, or Google to release the source code for Android(which they will do), and have somebody add multi-touch to those apps. A guy is already going to do it for the browser once the source code is released.

Is it a guarantee that this task can be achieved?

I held off on the Droid, despite waiting for Android to hit VZW for two years, just because I desire/almost need a multi touch virtual keyboard and browser. If it's a 100% sure thing that the core apps can eventually be hacked to implement multi touch functionality from the OS APIs, then I don't have to wait to get the phone.

 

[oceanlight]

^
it's 100% certain that it CAN be added to the native apps. that doesn't mean it WILL be added.

but i kinda think it will be sooner or later. in such a competitive market, google will feel the pressure to have all the bells and whistles.

 

[eclipsed4utoo]

Is it a guarantee that this task can be achieved?

I held off on the Droid, despite waiting for Android to hit VZW for two years, just because I desire/almost need a multi touch virtual keyboard and browser. If it's a 100% sure thing that the core apps can eventually be hacked to implement multi touch functionality from the OS APIs, then I don't have to wait to get the phone.

It's there for Google to add. I don't think anybody will say they are 100% sure Google will add it. It's there in the software and it's supported by the hardware. It's now up to the developers.

 

[Mapex]

@oceanlight, @eclipsed4utoo

I meant as in a user hacks the core app's code and adds the multi touch event listeners in. I am 100% sure at least one hundred people are ready to do it once the source is released, but the questions are:

1) Is it a guarantee that it will be successful?
2) Are these the types of things that are simply commented out, or do they have to actually be coded from scratch?
3) Is it a guarantee that it will work as intended?

 

[eclipsed4utoo]

@oceanlight, @eclipsed4utoo

I meant as in a user hacks the core app's code and adds the multi touch event listeners in. I am 100% sure at least one hundred people are ready to do it once the source is released, but the questions are:

1) Is it a guarantee that it will be successful?
2) Are these the types of things that are simply commented out, or do they have to actually be coded from scratch?
3) Is it a guarantee that it will work as intended?

there are no guarantees in software development.

 

[barry99705]

there are no guarantees in software development.

Sure there is. The end user will find something to bitch about.

 

[eclipsed4utoo]

Sure there is. The end user will find something to bitch about.

touche.

 

[TonyG]

Is the screen on the Droid not multitouch due to hardware or software?
And if it's software is it in such a way that an app couldn't do it?

To paraphrase a previous poster's comment, the free Android application PicSay (available on the Android market) clearly demonstrates that the 'pinch/zoom' technology is fully supported by both the Droid S/W and H/W.