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Synaptics Expands Its Growing Gesture Library to Enhance Notebook PC Ease of Use and Productivity

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Jan 07, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- Synaptics Inc. (Nasdaq: SYNA), a leading developer of human interface solutions for mobile computing, communications and entertainment devices, today announced the general availability of "Pinch" and "Momentum", gestures on its notebook TouchPad(TM), that are designed to strongly enhance the notebook PC user experience. Coupled with the announcement of its ChiralMotion(TM) gesture functionality in October 2007, which provides effortless scrolling capability on TouchPads, Synaptics' expanding PC-based gesture library redefines how notebooks are used in work, play and entertainment environments -- all in a highly intuitive and industry-standard manner.

Synaptics' new "Pinch" gesture functionality translates multi-finger input (two fingers moving apart or together on a TouchPad) and performs zoom-in and zoom-out capability in a variety of popular applications, including Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat, Internet Explorer, Google Earth and others. The "Pinch" gesture recognizes the industry-standard approach where Microsoft XP and Vista detect the zoom-in and zoom-out of a document, image or photo like it would on a scroll wheel of a traditional mouse. Thousands of popular applications support the "Pinch" gesture without special software support beyond Synaptics' TouchPad driver. When users remove their fingers from the TouchPad, it returns to basic TouchPad navigation and control functionality.

Synaptics' "Momentum" gesture functionality, on the other hand, gives trackball-like functionality to a TouchPad. By flicking a finger across the TouchPad, the cursor coasts across the screen with an inertia-like behavior that mimics a trackball. "Momentum" opens up exciting possibilities for expanded use of games on notebook PCs since many popular games have required the use of external mice or trackballs for optimal game play. Synaptics will be working with PC game developers over the next several months so that games can be optimized to take full advantage of "Momentum" gesture support when a Synaptics TouchPad is detected by the game.

The triumvirate set of ChiralMotion, Pinch and Momentum gestures are powerful illustrations of Synaptics' commitment to enhancing notebook PC usability through continued innovation. These new gestures are the latest in a long line of Synaptics innovations to enhance the use of TouchPads, which include Tap Zones, Virtual Scrolling, PalmCheck(TM) and EdgeMotion(TM).

"With an extremely strong TouchPad market presence with major notebook PC OEMs, Synaptics believes these exciting new gestures will have a big impact on how notebooks are used," said Mark Vena, vice president of Synaptics' PC business unit. "'Pinch' and 'Momentum' gesture functionality are powerful examples of Synaptics' corporate DNA for useful innovation and underscores our commitment to human interface market leadership in the notebook space."

"The traditional consumer is committed to three screens in their life -- the TV, PC and cell phone," said Tim Bajarin, president of Creative Strategies. "With the emersion of increased PC functionality and the 'info and entertainment' device as the next gadget in the pocket, intuitive gesture functionality that makes technology easier is becoming even more paramount."

About Synaptics

Synaptics (Nasdaq: SYNA) is a leading developer of interface solutions for the mobile computing, communications and entertainment industries. The company creates interface solutions for a variety of devices including notebook PCs, PC peripherals, digital music players and mobile phones. The TouchPad(TM), Synaptics' flagship product, is integrated into a majority of today's notebook computers. Consumer electronics and computing manufacturers use Synaptics' solutions to enrich the interaction between humans and intelligent devices through improved usability, functionality and industrial design. The company is headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif. http://www.synaptics.com

Synaptics, ChiralMotion, PalmCheck, EdgeMotion, TouchPad and the Synaptics logo are trademarks of Synaptics in the United States and/or other countries. 

    All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

     For further information, please contact:
     Rebecca Parr                                Tara Yingst
     Synaptics                                   Edelman
     408-454-5178                                650-762-2942
     rparr@synaptics.com                         tara.yingst@edelman.com

SOURCE Synaptics Inc. 

http://www.synaptics.com




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