FingerWorks

FingerWorks

Company type	Private
Industry	Gesture recognition, computer hardware, computer software
Founded	1998 (1998)
Founder	John Elias, Wayne Westerman
Defunct	June 2005 (2005-06)
Fate	Acquired by Apple Inc.
Headquarters	United States
Area served	Worldwide
Products	TouchStream keyboard, iGesture Pad, MacNTouch (Digitouch), iGesture NumPad, iGesture Retro

FingerWorks was a United States-based firm specializing in gesture recognition, primarily recognized for its TouchStream multi-touch keyboard. Established in 1998 by John Elias and Wayne Westerman from the University of Delaware, the company created multi-touch devices such as the iGesture Pad and TouchStream keyboard, aimed at assisting individuals suffering from RSI and related ailments. These innovative keyboards later served as a technological basis for the iPhone's touchscreen interface following Apple Inc.'s acquisition of FingerWorks' assets in early 2005.

History

While pursuing his doctorate at the University of Delaware, Westerman conducted research on chord-based interactions on multi-touch surfaces, which led him and professor Elias to launch FingerWorks. Westerman’s personal experience with repetitive stress injuries shaped the company’s emphasis on developing input devices that minimize physical strain.

Although FingerWorks received favorable media coverage and industry accolades, it remained a specialized, premium brand. In early 2005, the firm halted new product deliveries and customer support amid rumors of acquisition by a leading technology corporation—Apple Inc. This purchase encompassed patents and intellectual property rights, as well as the involvement of Elias and Westerman, whose technology played a direct role in the debut of the Apple iPhone in 2007.

FingerWorks formally closed operations in June 2005. The founders continued submitting patent applications related to their innovations through late 2007, with subsequent filings maintained under Apple's name starting in 2008.

Products

• TouchStream LP – a full-sized, foldable split keyboard featuring a flat membrane with zero-force keys. The entire surface is multi-touch enabled, interpreting finger combinations into mouse actions and macros. It includes chording modes tailored for graphics work, Emacs users, and gaming.

Surface tilt: adjustable between 0–10 degrees; Split angle and separation also customizable

Active area: ; Weight:

• TouchStream Mini – a one-handed keyboard combined with a mouse keypad, featuring keys sized at 15mm (approximately 75% of standard key size). Active area:
• MacNTouch – a double-width multi-touch surface designed as a keyboard replacement for compatible Apple laptops; also sold externally under the name Digitouch.
• iGesture Pad – a single-hand gesture pad supporting mouse control and gesture input. Active area:
• iGesture NumPad – similar to the iGesture Pad but augmented with numeric keypad functionality, including PgUp/PgDn and arrow key overlays.
• iGesture Retro – a one-handed gesture pad integrated within a full-sized Microsoft keyboard