Right now it might take 12 to 18 months for a new customer to get a Synaptics touchpad integrated into its product.

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Lee, who runs touchpad maker Synaptics, says he accepted Apple's invitation out of a sense of obligation, not of collective joy.

FORBES: Touchy Touchy

Lee, who runs touchpad maker Synaptics, says he accepted Apple's invitation out of a sense not of collective joy but of obligation.

FORBES: Touchy Touchy

Synaptics' chief scientist, Shawn Day, is close to releasing a phone finger touchpad for writing Mandarin characters--an easier way to key in a mobile text message (the Chinese send millions of them every day).

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