touch screen displays do not age well :(

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.pocketpc (More info?)

Hi,
I've seen the touch screens become uncalibrateable after a period of regular
use of about 2 years. This has been true since the days of the Handheld PC.
All these devices have used analog touch screens that use resistance to
measure where you are pressing.

So I expect the same experiences with modern Pocket PCs and other devices
with touch displays except the electromagentic displays that are from Wacom
(such as the ones used in the Tablet PC)

--
Chris De Herrera
http://www.cewindows.net
http://www.tabletpctalk.com
http://www.pocketpctalk.com
http://www.mobilitytalk.com

"The PocketTV Team" <do-not-reply-by-email@pockettv.com> wrote in message
news:eYPj06LiEHA.3148@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
> all my old 3600 ipaq's developed something interesting with time:
>
> the touchscreen became completely de-calibrated, to the point that the
> calibration tool cannot recalibrate them correctly anymore.
>
> something apparently degrades with time in the touchscreen hardware.
>
> e.g. here is what i mean: if i draw a perfect rectangle on the display
(e.g.
> using the Note application in draw mode), the drawing doesn't not look
like
> a rectangle, i.e. the lines are very curved and far away from the position
> where the stylus touches the display.
>
> this makes the device quite useless: when you tap a control on the
display,
> you end-up selecting another control nearby, etc. it can be quite
dangerous!
>
> i hope it won't be as bad with today's devices!
>
> anyone has similar observation with older pocket pc's ?
>
>

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.pocketpc (More info?)

I do find something similar on my Jornada 567. While I don't have trouble with drawing, the calibration is getting more flaky with
time. It's particularly noticeable with the on-screen keyboard. The lower right corner of my screen is almost impossible to use.
Since I normally use the Calligrapher floating keyboard, it doesn't present a problem.

"The PocketTV Team" <do-not-reply-by-email@pockettv.com> wrote in message news:eYPj06LiEHA.3148@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
> all my old 3600 ipaq's developed something interesting with time:
>
> the touchscreen became completely de-calibrated, to the point that the
> calibration tool cannot recalibrate them correctly anymore.
>
> something apparently degrades with time in the touchscreen hardware.
>
> e.g. here is what i mean: if i draw a perfect rectangle on the display (e.g.
> using the Note application in draw mode), the drawing doesn't not look like
> a rectangle, i.e. the lines are very curved and far away from the position
> where the stylus touches the display.
>
> this makes the device quite useless: when you tap a control on the display,
> you end-up selecting another control nearby, etc. it can be quite dangerous!
>
> i hope it won't be as bad with today's devices!
>
> anyone has similar observation with older pocket pc's ?
>
>

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.pocketpc (More info?)

"Chris De Herrera" <chris@cewindows.net> wrote in message
news SpeYvMiEHA.3348@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> Hi,
> I've seen the touch screens become uncalibrateable after a period of
regular
> use of about 2 years. This has been true since the days of the Handheld
PC.
> All these devices have used analog touch screens that use resistance to
> measure where you are pressing.

yups   that's about what we observed, indeed.

after about 2 years:

- touch-screen display hard or impossible to calibrate
- main battery either totally dead or much less efficient (does not hold
charge)
- chances that main battery cannot be replaced (built-in)
- if there is one, emergency battery totally dead too!
- firmware/OS so out-of-date that many applications do not support it
anymore
- friends start laughing at you when you use the device in public.
- time to buy something new! (and help your country's economy)


> So I expect the same experiences with modern Pocket PCs and other devices
> with touch displays except the electromagentic displays that are from
Wacom
> (such as the ones used in the Tablet PC)

yeah, but those require a special stylus, you can't use your fingetnails! i
always use my fingernails to tap Pocket PC screen.

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.pocketpc (More info?)

"The PocketTV Team" <do-not-reply-by-email@pockettv.com> wrote in message
news:%23uzEp6PiEHA.3016@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
>
> "Chris De Herrera" <chris@cewindows.net> wrote in message
> news SpeYvMiEHA.3348@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> > Hi,
> > I've seen the touch screens become uncalibrateable after a period of
> regular
> > use of about 2 years. This has been true since the days of the Handheld
> PC.
> > All these devices have used analog touch screens that use resistance to
> > measure where you are pressing.
>
> yups   that's about what we observed, indeed.
>
> after about 2 years:
>
> - touch-screen display hard or impossible to calibrate
> - main battery either totally dead or much less efficient (does not hold
> charge)
> - chances that main battery cannot be replaced (built-in)
> - if there is one, emergency battery totally dead too!
> - firmware/OS so out-of-date that many applications do not support it
> anymore
> - friends start laughing at you when you use the device in public.
> - time to buy something new! (and help your country's economy)
>
>
> > So I expect the same experiences with modern Pocket PCs and other
devices
> > with touch displays except the electromagentic displays that are from
> Wacom
> > (such as the ones used in the Tablet PC)
>
> yeah, but those require a special stylus, you can't use your fingetnails!
i
> always use my fingernails to tap Pocket PC screen.
>
>

I never came across that problem with a Psion 5mx touchscreen over many
years use. I did have a complete failure- it is a clamshell design and the
ribbon cable connecting the screen to the mainboard can fail- but can be
replaced independently of the screen restoring full function.