Tag: Haptic

Researchers from Tokyo’s University of Electro-Communications are working on a ridiculous new interface for the iPhone, which allows users to simulate the sensation of being tickled. Why actually tickle the palm of your hand when you can have an App for that, right?

While Apple may have crammed everything but the kitchen sink into their new iPod Nano, one thing it doesn’t have is a haptic touchscreen. But this portable media player from Latte has one, and now it can be had for less than a single Benjamin.

Sure, there have been many so-called “force feedback” controllers for computers and video games, but this is the first time I’ve seen one that really means it. Unlike most force devices which simply vibrate or drag, the Novint Falcon lets you control in 3-dimensions and actually can push against your grip with as much as 2 pounds of force.

One of the biggest problems with touchscreen interfaces is the lack of any sort of tactile feedback. In response to this concern, Samsung has released a touchscreen phone with Immersion’s VibeTonz haptic feedback system. The Samsung SCH-W559 phone provides users with a vibration that approximates the sensation of a key click when they interact with the phone’s touchscreen.