Apple may hold on to multi-touch patent, may accept royalty payments?
According to Macworld, Apple could force a delay of mass deployment of multi-touchscreen technology, because it owns the patent that allows a user to make gestures on the iPhone using more than one finger. This leads to features such as being able to "pinch" the screen to zoom in on a picture, for example.
Analysts from iSuppli say that it's not yet clear whether Apple will be willing to accept royalty payments in exchange for use of the technology.
It's not the only technology: Macworld list out eight enabling technologies, including resistive, surface capacitive, projected capacitive, infrared, Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW), optical, bending wave, and active digitiser, along with eight emerging technologies: photo sensor in pixel, polymer waveguide, distributed light, strain gauge, multi-touch, dual-force touch, laser-point activated touch and 3D touch, so it's not as if Apple has a complete hold on the technology.
They could be in a favourable position if they do decide to license the use of the touchscreen technology found in the iPhone, as iSuppli believes touchscreen displays will be used in a diverse range of industries including planes, cars, and home appliances.
(Via Macworld)
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