Proximity Sensor enables no-touch interface navigation

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Synaptics Adds Proximity Sensing Solution to Expansive ProductLine, Offering OEMs a New Mode of Interaction for Devices

Proximity Sensing Proves 'No Touch Necessary' for New InterfaceTechnology

TAIPEI, Taiwan, June 2 -- Synaptics Inc. (NASDAQ:SYNA), a leadingdeveloper of human interface solutions for mobile computing,communications, and entertainment devices, today announced thegeneral availability of its Proximity Sensing solution, a sensorfor presence detection that will redefine the way users interactwith their devices.

Synaptics' proximity sensor detects a user's presence, which thenactivates functions such as LED illumination for discoverablebutton locations or waking devices from power-saving mode.Proximity sensing technology offers exciting interface designoptions for OEM/ODM customers.

Proximity sensing can serve several major applications, solvingboth industrial design and usability challenges. Some of the mostobvious applications are LCD monitors, LCD TVs, digital photoframes, and remote controls where industrial design demands asimple and clean appearance. Proximity sensing can also make iteasy to find and operate a remote in the dark. When the handapproaches the remote, the LEDs illuminate.

Synaptics' first Proximity Sensing solution was incorporated intoMicrosoft's Wireless Entertainment Desktop 8000 keyboard. Thekeyboard intelligently powers on and off its LED backlighting forstandby (power saving) and active modes, depending on whether theuser is within close range.

"This new capability from Synaptics offers a compelling new userexperience for mature products that would benefit from new andattractive interface solution," said Synaptics general manager, TomTiernan. "Synaptics' strength in innovation and R&D allows us tobring advanced technology, such as proximity sensing, to the marketto enable new modes of interaction with future devices."

Availability: Synaptics' Proximity Sensing solution is nowavailable to all electronic device manufacturers.

About Synaptics

Synaptics (NASDAQ:SYNA) is a leading developer of human interfacesolutions for the mobile computing, communications, andentertainment industries. The company creates interface solutionsfor 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 oftoday's notebook computers. Consumer electronics and computingmanufacturers use Synaptics' solutions to enrich the interactionbetween humans and intelligent devices through improved usability,functionality, and industrial design.