Capacitive sense controls are being added to a host of devices, from light switches to kitchen appliances. The ability to customize and upgrade design aesthetics with sleek, user-friendly interfaces - coupled with the falling prices of sensing technology - is driving the adoption of touch controls. But the capacity sensing technology behind this trend is complex, and presents design challenges for even seasoned developers. In this whitepaper we take a look at some of the basics of capacitive sensing and explore the tools available that can help simplify development.