Thursday, June 05, 2008

Technology: Synaptics provides ClearPad(TM) sensor for the SH906i touchscreen mobile phone

ClearPad(TM) enables dynamic user interface with character recognition

Santa Clara, Calif. (ANTARA News/PRNewswire-AsiaNet) - Synaptics Inc. (Nasdaq: SYNA), a leading developer of human interface solutions for mobile computing, communications, and entertainment devices, announced today that its ClearPad(TM) solution is driving the interactive touchscreen in NTT DOCOMO's new SH906i clamshell handset.

Coming from Japan's number-one phone manufacturer, Sharp, the SH906i is the first ClearPad-enabled touchscreen mobile phone in Japan's mobile handset market. This new touchscreen flip phone using Synaptics' intuitive ClearPad technology is available through Japan's premier mobile communications company, NTT DOCOMO.

The SH906i uses Synaptics' ClearPad technology to enable finger-input character recognition capabilities for Japanese character entry. The combination of the SH906i character recognition software and Synaptics ClearPad solution improves usability for regions with more complex alphabets. Capacitive sensing-enabled text entry allows the user to access and control any number of applications and menus on a handheld device in an efficient and intuitive manner -- it is fast, easy to use, and accurate without a stylus. Synaptics' ClearPad sensors recognize a variety of gesture input for an effortless user interface. OEMs can customize their device user interfaces using Synaptics' growing gesture library, which includes gestures such as flick and pinch. The SH906i, for example, uses flick to flip though channels and adjust volume on its mobile-television application.

As the usage model for mobile phones expands into data services, the real estate and usability for touchscreens becomes more important. Managing greater content requires a more sophisticated and efficient user interface. Synaptics is taking a proactive stance to understand how these mobile trends affect the usage of a phone. Synaptics' ClearPad technology allows flexible and intuitive user interfaces to be offered to the end user.

John du Pre Gauntt, eMarketer senior analyst and author of the new report "Japan Wireless: Marketing to a Mobile Society" said "Flat-rate pricing for 3G services and broadening the scope of industries with a strong interest in mobile services means that mobile marketing and advertising has become all the more important in Japan."

"Synaptics' long history in capacitive sensing technology is a valuable asset as we continue to innovate for enhanced usability," said Yoshi Maeda, president of Synaptics Japan. "We are thrilled to work with leaders such as Sharp and NTT DOCOMO. Japan represents an important market for Synaptics -- we are expanding our team in Tokyo to support this region and meet the needs of the burgeoning mobile market."

The ClearPad solution is part of Synaptics' growing ClearTouch(TM) product portfolio. ClearTouch products are designed for durability, low power consumption, and easy integration into mobile devices. Patented ClearPad technology builds on the capacitive touch sensing technology used in more than 400 million TouchPad(TM) devices. Synaptics has more than a decade of experience in clear, two-dimensional, capacitive touch sensing. All ClearTouch solutions can operate under glass or plastic, resulting in robust devices with slim form factors and sleek industrial designs.

About Synaptics

Synaptics (Nasdaq: SYNA) is a leading developer of human interface solutions for the mobile computing, communications and entertainment industries. The company creates interface solutions for a variety of devices including notebook PCs, PC peripherals, digital music players, and mobile phones. The TouchPad(TM), Synaptics' flagship product, is integrated into a majority of today's notebook computers. Consumer electronics and computing manufacturers use Synaptics' solutions to enrich the interaction between humans and intelligent devices through improved usability, functionality, and industrial design. The company is headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif. http://www.synaptics.com. See gestures for Synaptics TouchPad http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShmqUHR7RO0

Synaptics, ClearPad, ClearTouch, TouchPad, and the Synaptics logo are trademarks of Synaptics in the United States and/or other countries.

All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

For further information, please contact:
Rebecca Parr
Tara Yingst
Synaptics
Edelman
408-454-5178
650-762-2942
rparr@synaptics.com
tara.yingst@edelman.com

SOURCE: Synaptics Inc.
CONTACT: Rebecca Parr of Synaptics Inc.
+1-408-454-5178
rparr@synaptics.com or
Tara Yingst of Edelman
+1-650-762-2942
tara.yingst@edelman.com
for Synaptics Inc.
Web site: http://www.synaptics.com

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