Comparison of Finger-Operated vs. Stylus-Operated Touchscreens

Interaction

Click (, drag, duration)

Click, drag, (double click, duration)

Operations

Point, select

Point, select, define path (start and goal, path): drawings, gestures, handwriting

Speed

High

High

Accuracy

Low

High (comparable to mouse)

Size of Controls

Large

Small (as with mouse)

Text Entry

Not recommended (, through selection)

Through handwriting (, through selection -> or only selection of starting letters)

Number Entry

Through selection

Through handwriting or selection

Initiation of Actions

Through point-and-click (pushbuttons)

Through point-and-click (pushbuttons),
through selection (e.g. dropdown lists)
through gestures

Preferred Interface

Point-and-click interface

"Standard" GUI possible,
better: optimized interface for pen (-> gesture entry),
point-and-click interface if speed is required

Environment

High speed,
low accuracy,
"aggressive" environment
pen is disturbing (taking up the pen, dirt, loss)

High speed (not mandatory),
high accuracy
pen usage possible

GUI Elements

Pushbuttons, controls for display and selection of data, graphics

Nearly all standard GUI elements may be used (but not all are optimal);
avoid scrollbars, pulldown-menus (at least these should be spring-loaded)