Apple has filed a patent for a touchscreen capable of detecting the presence of the user when a finger is placed beside him.

Touch the edges to avoid having to touch the screen

The patent is particularly complex, but greatly simplifying things, we understand that there are metal son around the slab. They can easily detect if the user touches the tip of the screen without entering into contact with the layer of the tactile device. The purpose of this technology is able to more easily use small products like music players or phones, without necessarily having to put his finger on a big screen tiny.

A pixel that displays and captures the movements

This technology also reduces the thickness of the screen while increasing brightness, as the cell responsible for displaying the pixel is also tactile feature. There is no need to add an additional layer that would reduce the aircraft performance.

This patent is very interesting, but unlike some of our colleagues, we are not going to imagine the presence of this technology in the hypothetical tablet expected next January 26. First, look to see if islation is real. Then, Apple filed a number of patents each year. Some end up in products sold, others not. If this new technology is very interesting, we will wait to see it in practice before being enthusiastic.