Final answer:
The touch metaphor refers to the use of touch-based interactions on computing devices such as tablets and smartphones. It became prevalent with the advent of capacitive touchscreens, making computing more accessible and user-friendly.
Step-by-step explanation:
The touch metaphor refers to the use of touch-based interactions on computing devices such as tablets and smartphones. Instead of using a mouse and keyboard, users can interact with the device by directly touching the screen.
The touch metaphor became prevalent with the advent of capacitive touchscreens, which can detect the electrical charges from our fingertips. This allowed for more intuitive and natural interactions with the devices. The touch metaphor has revolutionized computing by making it more accessible and user-friendly, enabling new types of applications and experiences.