The Onyx concept phone is a joint concept between Synaptics and Pilotfish design studios. The concept utilizes Synaptics ClearPad technology. ClearPad is a clear, thin screen overlay that allows for the recognition of complex screen interaction. This makes it different from touch screens in that it can understand things like an “X” made by finger motion.
“ClearPad is a thin, high resolution capacitive touch screen that can be placed over any viewable surface for finger input. ClearPad enables a dynamic and adaptive user interface that eliminates the need for mechanical buttons on handheld devices. This allows mobile designers to increase LCD size to support the content and functionality available for today’s handheld devices. Additionally, because ClearPad is solid state, it can be curved and mounted beneath plastics, offering mobile designers an opportunity to create sleek and stylized industrial designs.”
Interesting but limited usefulness.