Touch Revolution Launches NIM1000 Module, Makes It Easy for Manufacturers to Add Touch Screen Interfaces Powered by Android to Everyday Appliances, from Washers and Dryers, to Microwaves, Phones and Printers

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Touch Revolution today unveiled its new “drop-in” NIM1000 module, which is designed to help original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) integrate dynamic touch-screen interfaces in a broad range of appliances and devices, from microwave ovens and washing machines, to in-flight entertainment centers and advanced medical devices. The NIM1000 module includes a state-of-the-art projective capacitive touch-screen and features the open-source Android application framework, which makes it easy for manufacturers to add a myriad of additional applications and services to their products.

“Our goal is to make it easy for manufacturers to offer iPhone-like touch interfaces while taking advantage of the NIM1000 module’s network and application processing capabilities”

To demonstrate how the “drop-in” NIM1000 module might transform next-generation appliances and devices, Touch Revolution will be showing several potential products at CES 2010 in Las Vegas. Visitors to Touch Revolution’s Booth (#13744) will be able to see the following futuristic product concepts:

• A washing machine and dryer with simple, slider touch-screen controls to set wash and dry cycles and view progress. Online stain guides provide information on removing the toughest stains and those cryptic label wash symbols are decoded in a few touches.
• A microwave oven that doubles as a “kitchen command center” with Android running all kinds of useful applications: Widgets for news and weather, a digital picture frame, Internet radio (such as Pandora), recipes with video instructions, a web browser and timers for each burner and the oven.
• An all-in-one printer with an easy-to-use touch-screen interface, Internet connection, and applications to navigate and print both local and web content such as maps/directions, tickets, coupons, and photographs. The NIM1000-enabled printer can also have its own email address to allow people to email a document to the printer and have it available for printing.
• A reference design for an enterprise desk-top smartphone incorporating all the features of the best mobile smartphones. No need to look up a number on a mobile phone then dial it into the office phone keypad. Reminders for appointments and conference calls pop up on the phone, too – just click to dial.

“Our goal is to make it easy for manufacturers to offer iPhone-like touch interfaces while taking advantage of the NIM1000 module’s network and application processing capabilities,” said Touch Revolution CEO Mark Hamblin, who previously served as the design lead for the original iPhone touch screen at Apple. “Our experts in touch-screen technologies, hardware engineering, software development and user interface design spent more than a year developing and testing the ‘drop-in’ NIM1000 module to assure its suitability for high volume manufacturing. That means manufacturers can greatly accelerate the development of these next-generation products while eliminating most of the costs – and risk.”

Touch Revolution’s “drop-in” NIM1000 module is now available for purchase by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and ready for integration in their products.

Headquartered in San Francisco, with offices in Taipei, Taiwan and mainland China, Touch Revolution is a touch device ODM founded by industry pioneers in the touch device market with a vision of enabling the proliferation of intelligent, connected touch devices. The Touch Revolution team has experience launching some of the most successful consumer electronics products at companies such as Apple, Sony Ericsson, Microsoft, Palm, Research In Motion, and Motorola. Touch Revolution designs, manufactures, and brings to market great touch products that are sold under its customers’ own brands.