New wishlist item: Side-mounted touch strip sensor

[thomas.cooksey at bt.com]

Hi All,

I've added a new item on the hardware wishlist:

http://wiki.openmoko.org/wiki/Wish_List_-_Hardware#Side-Mounted_Touch_St
rip

Add a "touch strip" sensor onto the side of the phone which can be used
to scroll. By having it on the side you can use your thumb to scroll
comfortably while holding the phone one-handed. An 8-element capacitive
sensor would work wonderfully and be easy to fab using either a Quantum
QT411 (http://www.qprox.com/products/qslide_qt411.php) or Analog Devices
AD7143 (http://www.analog.com/en/prod/0,2877,AD7143,00.html) controller.
The Analog Devices chip seems better suited due to it's smaller
allowable element size. With the AD7143 you can have an 8-element
(128-position) 25mm long strip - Perfect!.

This is an idea which was floated on the SVHMPC list a few months ago.
The only possible issue is those people who are left-handed. Perhaps a
strip on each side would be the best way to go. :-)


Cheers,

Tom