It seems like touchscreen technology just came into our lives, yet we already take it for granted that after we touch an icon on our device a very specific action will be preformed. We expect the device to get it right, each time. A few years ago we wouldn’t have dreamed this was possible. Today, it’s a given that the latest and greatest gadgets will be equipped with a touchscreen.

How, exactly, does touchscreen technology work? How do so many of our screens know what to do if we touch the icons shown on them? The answer isn’t that straightforward. That is because there are many different types of touchscreen technologies, and each of them works in a different way.

Resistive touchscreens

Many touchscreens today operate on the resistive model. Resistive touchscreens are coated with a thin electrically conductive layer. Whenever you touch the screen, your fingertip causes the electrical current to change. This information is instantly sent to the device’s controller, which causes the device to react to your touch. Resistive touchscreen technology is less expensive, and is the most common form of touchscreen used in products today. However, such touchscreens are not the most sensitive.

Surface wave touchscreen

This form of touchscreen utilizes ultrasonic waves that pass across the screen. When your finger touches the screen, you absorb part of the wave. This information is sent to the device’s controller and an action is preformed. Simple right?

Capacitive touchscreens

This technology tends to produce the sharpest image quality. Much like the resistive technology these screens are coated with a material that sends an electrical current continuously across the screen. When you touch the screen you absorb some of the current, which in turn disrupts the flow. This information is then sent to the controller and the action that you requested is executed.

Fortunately, to enjoy touchscreen technology you don’t have to have a deep understanding of it. And you don’t have to be an engineer to realize this technology will become more popular, not less.