Haptic Feedback Implementation Coming to iPhone

by Jody Mitoma on April 28, 2008 at 12:32 pm

According to Palluxo.com, there is reason to believe that Apple is currently in talks with Immersion Corporation regarding Haptic Technology Implementation for the iPhone. These same technologies have been implemented in Samsung handsets in the past, and it now looks like Apple wants to jump on the boat. This information is supposedly coming from a former Apple executive; Clent Richardson, who has just recently been appointed as Immersion Corporation’s newly-found CEO.

The two companies plan on meeting up next week to discuss licensing terms of Immersion’s haptic technology. The iPhone would most likely receive force feedback via inbuilt sensors, meaning a vibration would be output at the touch of on-screen buttons, which would make the absense of a physical keyboard that much more bearable.

What is Haptic Technology?

Via Wikipedia: Haptic technology refers to technology which interfaces the user via the sense of touch by applying forces, vibrations and/or motions to the user. This mechanical stimulation may be used to assist in the creation of virtual objects (objects existing only in a computer simulation), for control of such virtual objects, and to enhance the remote control of machines and devices (teleoperators). This emerging technology promises to have wide reaching applications…

Here’s to hoping that these rumors are indeed true. We’ll keep you informed on any more information in this regards.

(Source: Gizmodo)