[Eguy]

Another benefit is that gestures are much smoother since you don't have to apply heavy pressure for them to be recognized. I have the capacitive touch on my Dell XT tablet, and I never want to go back to resistive touch again.

(Though for the record, the 'stylus' Eguy mentions for it above isn't actually a stylus, but a pen. It transmits an electromagnetic signal and is powered magnetically by the digitizer. I doubt it'd actually work for the Pre screen, though I'll definitely be trying it out myself.)

Thanks for the clarification there! (I knew I saw your username on GBM hehe, I am typing this on my XT now)

[Aero]

It's more accurate. Or at least, more sensitive.

Capacitive is not more accurate. It is less accurate. resistive is accurate down to the single pixel. there are advantages to capacitive but it is objectively less accurate.

[apolloa]

Multitouch is NOT a feature only on capacitive touch screens.

This video shows a multitouch system using a RESISTIVE touch screen, the screen is standard but built to spec outlined by this manufacurer/ developer:



So if you think multitouch is exclusive to one tech it's most definitely not.
Resistive can't have a hard cover like capacitive screens glass or plastic but it's MUCH more precise and works with gloves on, capacitive can't do handwriting recognition, resistive can.
Steve Jobs wanted to ditch the stylus hence why he chose the technology, fine, but as you know with upcoming phones and the tech in the video above resistive screens have caught up fast.

[ToolkiT]

I found this to be a good analysis of the pros and cons of resistive and capacitive touchscreens:
Resistive vs Capacitive: the invisible tech war in which both opponents can win? - All About Symbian Feature

thanks!

another advantage:
Visibility in sunlight:
Resistive touchscreen: Typically poor, the extra layer reflects too much ambient light.
Capacitive touchscreen: Typically very good.

[apolloa]

thanks!

another advantage:
Visibility in sunlight:
Resistive touchscreen: Typically poor, the extra layer reflects too much ambient light.
Capacitive touchscreen: Typically very good.

That's not so true, many resistive screens use TFT tech to eliminate the effects of sunlight, but Samsung for instance are using OLED or AMOLED screens with resistive touch control and they are the WORST of any screen tech for daylight and sunlight visibility. Has anyone compared an iPhone next to a resistive touch screen with TFT outdoors?
So what I'm saying is weather you can see the screen in sunlight or not does NOT seem to depend on the touch screen technology used but the SCREEN technology used.

And PLEASE watch this video, it shows multi touch performing VERY well using a resistive screen:

[jbg7474]

I think some people don't like the extra layer on resistive screens. They feel perhaps a little cheaper than touching something solid.

But the extra layers on newer resistive screens on the Instinct and the Treo Pro are almost imperceptible--unless you know to look for them.

[One_Deep]

so is the screen on the pre glass or palstic?

[anon(45821)]

Plastic

[Zyphlin]

Capacitive is not more accurate. It is less accurate. resistive is accurate down to the single pixel. there are advantages to capacitive but it is objectively less accurate.

By no means is this a scientific example...

But I know when comparing my Touch Diamond to the iPod Touch I ahd, the iPod touch seeemd FAR more accurate when I was using my fingers.

The Diamond worked WONDERFULLy when I used the stylus, able to hit small links on web pages and type effortlessly without hitting a wrong key.

However...

When using my finger with the Diamond I found myself having to click, click, and click again trying to hit the correct portion at times. I often get more inaccurate strikes. Hitting small links was far more difficult then on my iPod Touch.

Not to mention things like finger scrolling felt so much smoother upon the iPod Touch.

Some of this may very well be attributed to Windows Mobile/TouchFlo 3D more than the screen, but I know from my personal experience when using fingers the capacitive seemed to be more accurate.

[Reeves]

By no means is this a scientific example...

But I know when comparing my Touch Diamond to the iPod Touch I ahd, the iPod touch seeemd FAR more accurate when I was using my fingers.

The Diamond worked WONDERFULLy when I used the stylus, able to hit small links on web pages and type effortlessly without hitting a wrong key.

However...

When using my finger with the Diamond I found myself having to click, click, and click again trying to hit the correct portion at times. I often get more inaccurate strikes. Hitting small links was far more difficult then on my iPod Touch.

Not to mention things like finger scrolling felt so much smoother upon the iPod Touch.

Some of this may very well be attributed to Windows Mobile/TouchFlo 3D more than the screen, but I know from my personal experience when using fingers the capacitive seemed to be more accurate.

The discrepancy here is the OS and how you interact with it. With a full touchscreen device, you want to use your fingers as much as possible, and capacitive is more accurate in picking up your taps, double-taps and swipes. Basically, it's more gesture-friendly.

But in terms of accuracy to the pixel and usage of a stylus on a typical touchscreen, you can select more exact and defined areas on a resistive screen using a stylus. It is - technically - more accurate to the pixel.

As far as an everyday user experience? I'll take capacitive any day over resistive on a full touchscreen device.

[hypocaffeinemia]

Capacitive is not more accurate. It is less accurate. resistive is accurate down to the single pixel. there are advantages to capacitive but it is objectively less accurate.

You're failing to account for the human factor. Index fingers are far larger in diameter than one pixel, and applying significant pressure in order to affect a software button often results in great inaccuracy in determining what, exactly, the user meant to press.

There's a reason nearly every touchpad on nearly every laptop in the world is capacitive.

[Outrigger#WN]

I for one would never pick up the Pre if it was resistive. It has nothing to do with having the same tech as apple, its called progress and capacitive is in no way inferior to resistive, its more like the other way around.

[EeZeEpEe]

Tablet PC's with a capacitive screen like the Latitude XT have styli with fine points...

Damn I just remembered that I use my Centro's pen stylus a lot and I won't have one for the Pre...

Funny cause I never use my stylus. I used the 5-way navigation all the time. It's quicker and more efficient for me then to have to pull out and put back the stylus all the time.

Unless, of course, you are trying to use Palm OS apps via the Classic Emulator. Then you are stuck with using that tiny square screen (about the size of a Centro) with your fingers since no impromptu stylus like a pen cap is going to work.

I believe there will actually be a multi-touch zoom feature on Classic to help with clicking smaller things.

[Aero]

You're failing to account for the human factor. Index fingers are far larger in diameter than one pixel, and applying significant pressure in order to affect a software button often results in great inaccuracy in determining what, exactly, the user meant to press.

There's a reason nearly every touchpad on nearly every laptop in the world is capacitive.

You are failing to note touchpads are not display devices, so the accuracy of hitting a spot doesn't matter.

You are also failing to account for something basic most long time users of touchscreens will tell you: when you want accuracy without a stylus, it is very easy to use the side edge of your fingernail, even close cropped nails, to get bulls eye accuracy.

I am not arguing the total merits of each technology, but rather that some of the individual statements made on accuracy here were seriously in error. I have used both types of screens and yes both with and without a stylus a resistive is more accurate.

I for one would never pick up the Pre if it was resistive. It has nothing to do with having the same tech as apple, its called progress and capacitive is in no way inferior to resistive, its more like the other way around.

Capacitive is inferior in accuracy and it is well known fact. In total capacitive can be better under certain systems -- a multitouch being one key one for the Pre with current capacitive and resistive screens on the market.

[Beanis]

I for one would never pick up the Pre if it was resistive. It has nothing to do with having the same tech as apple, its called progress and capacitive is in no way inferior to resistive, its more like the other way around.

Did you not read the rest of the this thread? Resistive is much more accurate, i'd call that at least one inferiority.

[Reeves]

The problem here is the definition of accuracy.

Resistive screens often fail to register taps or finger presses (and sure, sometimes it's because you don't use enough pressure, but sometimes they just don't register). Hard to argue its objective superiority when you have to do things more than once or twice for it to work.

Finger gestures are problematic, too.

[Zyphlin]

Exactly. I'll take all your scientific data you want to give me, real world use trumps it for me.

For me....

Resistive screens have shown to be most precise if you're using a stylus.

However

If you're using only your finger I have found capacitive screens to be far more precise than the resistive ones I've done it with. Even when trying to do finger nail type things which is incredibly uncomfortable for me to use on a regular basis, especially with typing.

[Aero]

I agree. Resistive screens are more accurate, with or without stylus.

Capacitive screens, while less accurate are more suited for for gestures.

[NM08SRT8]

I think he ment the pen part!
Terry

Aaaannnnnd..... That's what I was referring to as well.

[NM08SRT8]

Unless, of course, you are trying to use Palm OS apps via the Classic Emulator. Then you are stuck with using that tiny square screen (about the size of a Centro) with your fingers since no impromptu stylus like a pen cap is going to work.

Yes, Very well.. But again, I still see no problem with it. If you haven't watched the Classic Emulator videos, than you have no idea what I'm talking about. But smaller buttons on there, WITH the showcase guy standing off to the side, holding the phone away from him, looking over the phone with his head tilted, still has no problem navigating through classic.