Getac V100 Tablet PC Gets Glove-Friendly Multitouch Display

Ruggedized PC manufacturer Getac have announced a multitouch upgrade to their suitably-sturdy V100 Tablet PC; however, while they may not be the first to throw multi-finger control into the mixture, their Windows 7 compatible display uses resistive rather than capacitive technology.  While capacitive touchscreens – such as found on the iPhone – are fashionable right now, resistive touchscreens have the benefit of working with gloved fingers.

That means the V100 Multitouch will be able to respond to pinch-zoom, rotate and other gestures even when the user is wearing protective gear, an important consideration if you're stood outside in freezing weather or are on a building site. Despite using a resistive panel, accuracy is still high: Getac claim 2048x2048 resolution, 100 points per second report rate and less than 35ms response time.

No word on when we'll see the Getac V100 with multitouch up for sale, nor for how much.  We've got a request for more details in with the company, and will update when we hear back from them.

Press Release:

GETAC ANNOUNCES TECHNOLOGY BREAKTHROUGH WITH RESISTIVE-TYPE MULTI-TOUCH TECHNOLOGY FOR "HANDS-ON" APPLICATIONS WITH OR WITHOUT GLOVES

New Technology Allows Touch-Screen Gestures to Move and Edit Documents; Navigate Files and System Applications in the Most Extreme Environments

LAKE FOREST, CA. October 7, 2009 — Getac Inc., a leading innovator and manufacturer of rugged computers that meet the demands of field-based applications, announced that its line of rugged Tablet PCs will be the first rugged computers to offer a Multi-Touch screen for use with or without gloves. Having Multi-Touch technology on Getac's V100 Tablet PC will allow users to move and edit documents, rotate maps and photos, zoom in and zoom out the maintenance manuals, and navigate numerous system applications by using a series of "gestures" with their fingers.

The new Multi-Touch technology uses a series of single touch, dual touch, "flick," and application gestures. Users of Getac's V100 Tablet PC will now be able to quickly and easily perform numerous on-screen tasks such as move, copy, delete, zoom, and rotate by simply touching the screen and performing the task desired with their fingers. Getac's Resistive Multi-Touch technology is not based on capacitance sensitivity, which means users can perform these actions, and many others while wearing protective gloves. This makes it ideal for industrial and field professionals who work with dangerous chemicals or perform their job in extreme weather conditions. Even with gloves, the sensitivity and accuracy of the multi-touch screen is extremely high. The screen features 2048x2048 resolution, 100 points per second report rate, and less than 35ms response time.

"Our customers work in some of the most extreme environments and weather conditions where touch screen technology and flick gestures are faster, safer, and more convenient than using a keypad," says Jim Rimay, president, Getac. "As a leading innovator in advanced rugged computer technology, it is only fitting that Getac is the first to offer Multi-Touch technology that can be used with or without gloves," added Rimay.

Getac's Multi-Touch technology will also offer complete compatibility with Microsoft's Windows 7 when it is launched later this month.