A sexy and sleek concept named Onyx is a collaborative mobile phone project by touch-sensor specialists Synaptics and industrial design firm Pilotfish. The Onyx is touchscreen-based and uses Synaptics innovative ClearPad technology, the first transparent touch-sensitive capacitive sensor. ClearPad is capable of recognizing not only points and taps but also shapes and complex movements, together with multi-point input.

“The real meaning of this product is about opening up the channels between hand, eyes, and device, and giving people access to actions and information in a way not possible with conventional buttons” Brian Conner, Pilotfish

At 0.5mm thick, the sensor layer can recognize touch and gestures through up to 1.6mm of plastic, making it far more durable and optically clear than traditional multi-layer touchscreens. And above and beyond those touchscreens it can recognize one or two finger contact, a finger used on its side, or even different body parts; a phone call to Onyx can be answered by simply holding it to your cheek, messages sent by swiping them off the screen with the whole finger.

“The Onyx phone is a breakthrough illustration of how advances in interface technology and collaborative design will drive the future of mobile interactions and services” Clark Foy, VP Marketing, Synaptics

Synaptics also says that the first real phone using the ClearPad technology is due out later this year. Via SlashGear

A sexy and sleek concept named Onyx is a collaborative mobile phone project by touch-sensor specialists Synaptics and industrial design firm Pilotfish. The Onyx is touchscreen-based and uses Synaptics innovative ClearPad technology, the first transparent touch-sensitive capacitive sensor. ClearPad is capable of recognizing not only points and taps but also shapes and complex movements, together with multi-point input.

“The real meaning of this product is about opening up the channels between hand, eyes, and device, and giving people access to actions and information in a way not possible with conventional buttons” Brian Conner, Pilotfish

At 0.5mm thick, the sensor layer can recognize touch and gestures through up to 1.6mm of plastic, making it far more durable and optically clear than traditional multi-layer touchscreens. And above and beyond those touchscreens it can recognize one or two finger contact, a finger used on its side, or even different body parts; a phone call to Onyx can be answered by simply holding it to your cheek, messages sent by swiping them off the screen with the whole finger.

“The Onyx phone is a breakthrough illustration of how advances in interface technology and collaborative design will drive the future of mobile interactions and services” Clark Foy, VP Marketing, Synaptics

Synaptics also says that the first real phone using the ClearPad technology is due out later this year. Via SlashGear