Synaptics Incorporated recently introduced the Fuse concept cellphone which demonstrated where the future of user interaction is headed, and it seems that the iPhone could be in for a challenge. After all, the Fuse will introduce multiple interface technologies for the first time, among them including multi-touch capacitive sensing, haptic feedback, 3-D graphics, and force, grip, and proximity sensing. Are you Apple fanboys quaking just yet? Of course, it is way too early to tell whether the Fuse is able to usurp the iPhone since there are still many other things to consider about, especially its ease-of-use and the all important App Store competitor.

While the touchscreen display is almighty in this day and age, we must remember that Synaptics was first to introduce the touchscreen way back in August 2006, thanks to their award-winning Onyx cellphone concept. Other phone manufacturers have long followed suit, and Synaptics has gone on to the next level by tackling the issue of single-handed usage with the need to look at the screen by coming up with the Fuse. The Fuse will boast innovative sensing technologies that surround the entire device to enable quick, intuitive, single-handed navigation. Take for example its grip sensing capability that relies on force and capacitive touch sensors on the sides of the phone, where users can execute pan and scroll functions in a jiffy. Apart from that, the Fuse is first off the blocks to introduce 2D navigation from the back of the phone! This will allow one to enjoy effective and fun single-handed control without having to obstruct the display.

It makes us wonder when will Synaptics actually roll out the Fuse cellphone concept, moving it to the production stage as we’re pretty sure it is able to make more than just a ripple in the industry’s ocean. After all, modern cellphones are all about progress and change, and the Fuse is definitely a game changer – assuming it ever enters production, that is.

Press Release