Haptic -- Engadget

haptic posts

Apple patent applications offer glimpses of haptic screens, RFID readers, fingerprint ID

by Donald Melanson, posted Jul 2nd 2009 at 12:08PM

Alright, so you know the drill by now. A patent application doesn't necessarily mean an actual product is on the way -- but it's always fun to speculate, right? And this latest trio of applications from Apple certainly provides plenty of speculation fodder. The most notable of the lot is an application for a "multi-touch display screen with localized tactile feedback," which Apple seems to be at least considering as a possibility for the iPhone (or iPod touch). Like some similar systems, Apple's application covers a screen that uses a grid of piezoelectric actuators that can be activated at will to provide vibrational feedback when you touch the screen. Apple even goes so far as to use a virtual click wheel on an iPhone as an example. Other patent applications include a fairly self-explanatory RFID reader embedded in a touch screen, and a fingerprint identification system that could not only be used for security, but to identify individual fingers as an input method -- for instance, letting you use your index finger for play/stop and your middle finger to fast forward.

Immersion demos new TouchSense multitouch, haptic keyboard at D7

by Joshua Topolsky, posted May 27th 2009 at 8:32PM

Immersion (known for creative input experiences) demoed a fairly interesting new haptic experiment its working on dubbed TouchSense -- a virtual, iPhone-like keyboard that not only responds with sound and vibration, but some kind of feedback that recreates the feeling of actually moving your fingers across a keyboard. Details were scarce on the technology used, but during the demo at D7 the company showed off multitouch typing, and a new form of feedback which seems to create the sensation that there is a physical keyboard beneath your fingers. The functionality sounds eerily similar to the Haptikos technology that Nokia showed off way back in 2007. We're working on more details, but for now, feast your eyes on the pics in the gallery below.

Update: Press release after the break.

Gallery: Immersion's multitouch, haptic keyboard

Continue reading Immersion demos new TouchSense multitouch, haptic keyboard at D7

Viliv S5 Air, HSDPA-equipped Air Ready coming to China in June

by Ross Miller, posted May 27th 2009 at 12:46AM

The Viliv S5 has had its fair share of positive reviews, in spite of its not-as-friendly $600 price tag, and now it looks like the company's ready to up the ante with the S5 Air and S5 Air Ready, according to a report from our friends at Engadget Chinese. From what we gather, both will see an improved, haptic keyboard and support Chinese character input / handwriting input, while the Air Ready also throws in HSDPA to boot. Those in the country can pick one up reportedly in June for an as of yet unknown price, while the rest of us around the world will just have to wait and see if Viliv decides to launch it anywhere else.

Carnegie Mellon morphs 'pop-up buttons' onto multi-touch display

by Thomas Ricker, posted Apr 28th 2009 at 4:39AM

While attempts to add feedback to touchscreen displays via vibration and audible tones are laudable, these attempts are nothing by comparison to the tactile euphoria felt at the press of a well-designed button. Still, many of us are willing to sacrifice tactility in order to maximize display sizes on our pocketable or portable devices. Now researchers at Carnegie Mellon have developed touch-sensitive displays with physical buttons that "pop-out" from the surface. CM's prototypes pump air through geometric-shaped holes to create concave or convex "buttons" on a screen covered with a semi-transparent latex -- IR sensors and cameras detect finger placement while a projector cast images (like numbers and graphics) onto the display. It can even sense press-force by monitoring changes in air pressure. Sure it all sounds overly cumbersome until you see the technology demonstrated. For that you can travel to Pittsburgh to count the rivers or just hit the read link below for the video.

Read -- Video
Read -- Technology Review

Artificial Muscle makes touchy devices burlier

by Tim Stevens, posted Apr 24th 2009 at 8:44AM

In the future we envision artificial muscle driving our cybernetic soldiers and helping to repair our fleshier ones. In the present, though, it seems the tech is starting a little smaller, at least it is in the case of Artificial Muscle (the company), which has developed tech enabling a silicon film to expand or contract when a voltage is applied to it. It's currently being used to create small pumps and linear actuators and the like, and is now is being pitched as a solution for feedback in touch-sensitive devices. The silicon film is thin enough to be inserted beneath a touchpad or touchscreen, moving the surface appropriately depending on what you're stroking on-screen as shown in a video demonstration below. Impressively this tech will only cost "a couple dollars" to add to any given device, meaning even cheap netbooks could start coming with fidgity touchpads soon. Now that is progress.

Continue reading Artificial Muscle makes touchy devices burlier

Viliv S5 reviewed, is mostly smiles with good video playback

by Ross Miller, posted Apr 24th 2009 at 3:46AM

You've seen its introduction, its unboxing -- in two different languages, no less -- and maybe even fancied the pre-order page. Now Pocketables has what appears to be one of the first full-fledged review of the Viliv S5, and the verdict? It's quite a sturdy and well-built MID, with surprisingly good battery life and video performance from the Intel Atom Z520 processor (same one as found in the Vaio P). The virtual keyboard leaves a lot to be desired for, and it's a shame to hear the joystick's mouse functionality is limited to four directions, but despite these complaints and a $599 price tag, the conclusion is still a overwhelmingly positive for those who like the form factor. Hit up the read link for the full examination.

Viliv S5 pre-order details firm up: $599 and it's yours May 8th

by Donald Melanson, posted Apr 19th 2009 at 1:21AM

It's been a long and winding road filled with unboxings, impressions, and comparisons, but it looks like the last few details surrounding the U.S. release of Viliv's Atom-powered S5 MID have now finally been firmed up. According to retailer Dynamism, the device will be available for pre-order on April 27th (at 1PM Eastern) for just $599, or $50 less than previously expected, with the first orders expected to ship on May 8th. Better still, those that pre-order the S5 will also get a free spare battery, a car kit, and a leather pouch, which Dynamism says is a $135 value. No word on the number of units available in that initial batch but, if the Hong Kong and Korean releases are any indication, they could sell out pretty quickly.

[Via thegadgetsite, thanks K.C.]

Samsung gets official with 8 megapixel SCH-W740

by Darren Murph, posted Mar 25th 2009 at 10:01AM

We first caught wind of Samsung's SCH-W740 way back on Halloween of last year, and at long last the handset has gone official over in South Korea. Matching up with LG's Renoir, Nokia's N86 and a slew of other emerging 8 megapixel phones, the W740 packs a pretty stellar camera along with a 3.3-inch touchscreen, HSUPA, Bluetooth 2.0, an e-dictionary, T-DMB TV tuner and loads of haptic feedback. As for the camera itself, it features face detection, scene modes, a Xenon flash and a smile shutter for good measure. Word on the street has it surfacing soon for ?900,000 ($660).

Philips wants to get you in the movies -- or at least into a goofy vibrating jacket

by Tim Stevens, posted Mar 20th 2009 at 9:03AM

Philips has definitely done more for sensory immersion than most with its amBX line of... things, but a general shortage of people willing to mount fans or rumbling wrist rests on their keyboards hasn't kept the company from developing what it thinks is next: a vibrating jacket. The unnamed and triangle-patterned coat features 64 little rumblers distributed throughout, all powered by a pair of AA batteries. The intent is to better immerse you into movies by, say, replicating a light touch running up either arm or simulating an actor's beating heartbeat -- "emotional immersion" they call it. We're not so sure this will be any more compelling than the vibrating vests companies have been trying to sell gamers (and the military) for years, but we do know that Philips had better watch out for lawyers from Immersion.

[Via Slashdot]

Samsung S8300 and updated TouchWiz UI previewed

by Ross Miller, posted Feb 9th 2009 at 8:32PM

While we've gotta wait until Barcelona to see Samsung's Ultra Touch S8300 slider for ourselves, a handful of outlets have already played around with a preview unit, complete with the TouchWiz UI makeover. It's not the slimmest of touch phones, measuring 110 x 51.5 x 12.7 mm, but props are given to the 8 megapixel camera and OLED touchscreen, unsurprisingly, as well as the simple drag-and-drop widget menu and three separate home screens for micro-app organization. Other than some of the icon graphics and the aforementioned menu updates, the UI is largely unchanged from its previous form. The lack of WiFi is gonna ruffle a few feathers, but the HSDPA will probably assuage some of that pain. Hit up the read links for impressions and video -- with any luck, we'll be getting our own hands-on time at next week's Mobile World Congress.

Read - Mobile-review
Read - GSMArena
Read - Stuff.tv's

Samsung's TouchWiz UI getting a MWC makeover

by Thomas Ricker, posted Feb 9th 2009 at 4:31AM

With Mobile World Congress around the corner, Samsung is prepped to launch the latest version of its increasingly impressive, finger-friendly TouchWiz UI. Already spotted on the Ultra Touch S8300 slider, the interface has been fitted with new 3D-effects eye candy, enhanced haptic feedback, and new gesture and voice controls. A new widget dock allows you to more easily manage an increased variety of downloadable widgets while Samsung's new Photo Contact feature provides better integration of your photos and contacts with what appears to be face recognition technology. We'll know more after getting our hands on with the UI at WMC next week -- an event that's shaping up to be the biggest cellphone show in years.

[Via I4U]

Viliv's S5 MID goes haptic, will move you in March

by Tim Stevens, posted Feb 3rd 2009 at 11:03AM

Viliv has been showing some potential lately with its touchable upcoming products, the clean looking S7 netbook tablet and S5 MID. We received some further information on the latter of those two this morning, most notable being the inclusion of haptic feedback that should make its 4.8-inch, ~~800 x 480~~ 1024 x 600 screen feel a little more tactile. We also got confirmation that the device will be running Windows XP hidden behind a custom UI overlay that, we presume, will be similar to the one we saw running at CES on the S7. Still no price, but the company is aiming for a March release domestically. Our fingers are tingling with anticipation.

Gallery: Viliv S5

Negroponte raps about OLPC 2: 'designed as if we were Google'

by Joseph L. Flatley, posted Jan 29th 2009 at 1:31PM

Well, our interest was certainly piqued by that OLPC XO-2 mockup that surfaced yesterday, and now the Guardian is saying that the hardware development will take place open source. This is certainly fitting with the company's idealistic ethos, and it'll be interesting to see what other companies bring to the table as the reportedly $75 dual-screen device gets closer to real reality. "The XO-1 was really designed as if we were Apple," Nicholas Negroponte says in the interview. "The XO-2 will be designed as if we were Google - we'll want people to copy it. We'll make the constituent parts available. We'll try and get it out there using the exact opposite approach that we did with the XO-1." He let a few details slip too, saying that it will be dual touchscreen, with one of the displays featuring a touch-sensitive, force-feedback, haptic keyboard. When asked how he feels about the possibility that other companies might profit from all this hard work developing the laptop of tomorrow? "I wouldn't complain." Class act, that one. Bravo.

[Via Make]

Fraunhofer IPMS demonstrates OLED with touch control

by Darren Murph, posted Oct 10th 2008 at 11:23AM

Look, we're not going to argue that those chintzy clap lamps weren't pretty sweet in their heyday. And we're also not going to put up a fuss when you assert that snap bracelets were equally adorable in the early 90s. Nostalgia aside, Fraunhofer IPMS is headed straight for the future with its latest OLED breakthrough. Reportedly, the company has devised an OLED display that can be controlled via human touch or by simply waving one's hand in front of the panel. Unlike similar applications that have come before it, there's no additional hardware needed -- and therein lies the magic. The outfit is currently showing off the design at the Plastic Electronic 2008 show, though it yet to reveal anything close to a release plan.

[Via OLED-Display]

Samsung's freakishly large Haptic 2 touchscreen phones

by Thomas Ricker, posted Sep 26th 2008 at 6:34AM

Forget everything you know about perspective, Samsung's Haptic 2 is clearly one huge-ass handset. Amazing that the jumbo-handed product waif on the left can even hoist the beast without so much as a grimace. Otherwise, Samsung's newest fullscreen device looks every bit the hot Korean cousin to the i900 Omnia. The Haptic 2 followup to the original Haptic features DMB television, 4GB (SCH-W550 or SPH-W5500, about $600) or 16GB (SCH-W555, about $690) of storage, integrated mobile banking, and improved (more sensitive) 3.2-inch touchscreen and an updated TouchWiz UI now sporting 50 widget applications (up from 15) and user defined vibration tones -- whoa, better beef up security for the Korean launch Sammy.

[Via Telecoms Korea]