Sony develops 3.5" five-finger multitouch display

Being able to use two fingers to "pinch" and "spread" images and other content displayed on the iPhone and iPod touch's touchscreen is so this year.

That's because as early as next year, Sony could begin equipping portable gadgets and mobile devices with new touch panels based on a 3.5-inch VGA display (16.7M colors) prototype it developed that not only recognizes stylus input, but up to five points of contact as well. Even though I can't imagine when and why all five fingers would ever be used simultaneously on a display that fits into the palm of your hand, the possibilities are pretty exciting. I mean, I'm still amazed by kinetic scrolling and swiping!

[Press release (translated) via MY iTablet]