Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Hands-on with Immersion HD Integrator hi-fi haptics]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/23/hands-on-with-immersion-hd-integrator-hi-fi-haptics/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/23/hands-on-with-immersion-hd-integrator-hi-fi-haptics/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/23/hands-on-with-immersion-hd-integrator-hi-fi-haptics/#comments Hands-on with Immersion HD Integrator hi-fi hapticsIt was just over a year ago when we met with the folks from Immersion, and they showed us a prototype handset packing its HD haptics technology. Since that time, the piezoelectric actuator that makes the tactile magic possible has gone into mass production, and the first commercial device packing such hi-fi haptics, the Pantech Element, hit store shelves. Immersion's got greater aspirations for its tactile tech, however, and its new HD Integrator platform aims to put high fidelity haptics in every handset. We got to sample the HD haptics goods once again and chat with Immersion about the new platform and its technology, so head on past the break to see what the company has in store.

Continue reading Hands-on with Immersion HD Integrator hi-fi haptics

Hands-on with Immersion HD Integrator hi-fi haptics originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Feb 2012 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>force feedbackForceFeedbackhands-onhaptichaptic feedbackHapticFeedbackhapticshd integratorHdIntegratorimmersionpiezopiezoelectrictactiletouchvideoThu, 23 Feb 2012 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[GTA III for Android hits 1.3, brings Liberty City to the Transformer Prime]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/26/gta-iii-for-android-hits-1-3-brings-liberty-city-to-the-transfo/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/26/gta-iii-for-android-hits-1-3-brings-liberty-city-to-the-transfo/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/26/gta-iii-for-android-hits-1-3-brings-liberty-city-to-the-transfo/#comments
Select iOS and Android devices have had the ability to terrorize Liberty City while on-the-go since December, but sadly those with Transformer Primes thus far have been left out of all that fun. Luckily, an update to the game ends that double standard, enabling Rockstar's classic to run on ASUS' tablet and Medion Lifetabs everywhere. It doesn't just bring expanded hardware support to the table though, as amongst other "technical fixes," the release also heralds new video display settings, Immersion haptics support and the capability of installing the game on a SD card. And fans of tactility, know that controls on the Xperia Play have been reworked, and it now boasts full support for GameStop's wireless controller. Still here? You shouldn't be -- grab the update in the source link below.

GTA III for Android hits 1.3, brings Liberty City to the Transformer Prime originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 Jan 2012 12:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidgrand theft autoGrandTheftAutoGTAGTA 3gta IIIGta3GtaIiihaptichaptic feedbackHapticFeedbackhapticshardware supportHardwareSupportimmersionimmersion hapticsImmersionHapticsmedion lifetabMedionLifetabminipostrockstarrockstar gamesRockstarGamestransformer primeTransformerPrimexperia playXperiaPlayThu, 26 Jan 2012 12:56:00 EST<![CDATA[Gaming gets immersive thanks to union of pico projector and eye tracking camera (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/02/gaming-gets-immersive-thanks-to-union-of-pico-projector-and-eye/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/02/gaming-gets-immersive-thanks-to-union-of-pico-projector-and-eye/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/02/gaming-gets-immersive-thanks-to-union-of-pico-projector-and-eye/#comments Although in the earliest stages of development, this virtual reality gaming rig already looks pretty intriguing. Engineered by clever kids at the University of Texas at Austin, it hot-wires an eye tracking camera to a motorised pico projector with the result that the player literally can't take their eyes off the screen. Wherever they look, that is where their view of the gaming world is projected. The rig makes most sense in a first-person shooter, although the students have also tried it in a flight simulator where the player uses their head to roll and pitch the aircraft. Yes, it looks rather similar to the Microvision PicoP laser projection gun we wielded at CES, but there's a key difference: the player does not need to hold anything or have anything attached to their body. This unencumbered Kinect-esque approach could potentially allow a greater sense of freedom -- except that, for it to work, the player is forced to sit directly in front of the eye tracker. Find a way to fix this, dear Longhorns, and you could be onto something. Video after the break.

Continue reading Gaming gets immersive thanks to union of pico projector and eye tracking camera (video)

Gaming gets immersive thanks to union of pico projector and eye tracking camera (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 02 May 2011 09:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eye trackereye trackingeye-trackereye-trackingEyeTrackerEyeTrackingfirst person shooterFirstPersonShooterflight simflight simulatorFlightSimFlightSimulatorgamingimersive gamingImersiveGamingimmersionimmersivemotorizedpico projectorpico-projectorPicoProjectorprojectoruniversity of texasuniversity of texas at austinUniversityOfTexasUniversityOfTexasAtAustinUTutavideovirtual realityVirtualRealityVRMon, 02 May 2011 09:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Enzo's Pinball gets you all touchy-feely with your phone]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/08/enzos-pinball-gets-you-all-touchy-feely-with-your-phone/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/08/enzos-pinball-gets-you-all-touchy-feely-with-your-phone/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/08/enzos-pinball-gets-you-all-touchy-feely-with-your-phone/#comments We got a hands-on sample of Haptify's haptic-powered apps a couple months back and came away intrigued, but yearning for more. Well, the company is finally ready to sate our penchant for playtime physicality with its first game, Enzo's Pinball. The game debuts with three tables ("more coming soon"), and is designed to let you feel every bump, rattle, and ricochet as if it were the real thing. It isn't identical to its tangible counterpart, but it is an upgrade over the rumble-free digital competition. Haptify's haptic black magic works with handsets running Android 2.1 and up, so there's an awful lot of potential pinball wizards out there. You can grab the game in the Android Market and it'll cost $1.49 to give in to your tactile desires.

Enzo's Pinball gets you all touchy-feely with your phone originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 08 Apr 2011 13:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidandroid 2.1android 2.2android 2.3android marketAndroid2.1Android2.2Android2.3AndroidMarketenzos pinballEnzosPinballfeedbackforce feedbackForceFeedbackfroyogingerbreadhaptichaptic feedbackHapticFeedbackhapticshaptifyImmersiontactiletactile feedbackTactileFeedbackFri, 08 Apr 2011 13:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Immersion releases SDK to put haptics in Android, helps smartphones move what their makers gave them]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/08/immersion-releases-sdk-to-put-haptics-in-android-helps-smartpho/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/08/immersion-releases-sdk-to-put-haptics-in-android-helps-smartpho/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/08/immersion-releases-sdk-to-put-haptics-in-android-helps-smartpho/#comments About a month ago, we told you about Immersion's MOTIV dev platform to design Android apps with tactile feedback, and today its release has finally arrived. The SDK comes with predesigned haptic effects, sample code, and the ability to tweak the duration and intensity of the feedback -- allowing developers to perfectly tailor the amount of shake in your groove thang. Interested parties can hit up the source link for the SDK download and start indulging in the haptic dark arts immediately.

Continue reading Immersion releases SDK to put haptics in Android, helps smartphones move what their makers gave them

Immersion releases SDK to put haptics in Android, helps smartphones move what their makers gave them originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 08 Mar 2011 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidfeedbackforce feedbackForceFeedbackgooglehaptichaptic feedbackHapticFeedbackhapticsimmersionsdksoftware development kitSoftwareDevelopmentKittactiletouchTue, 08 Mar 2011 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Immersion's MOTIV development platform integrates haptics into Android, we go hands-on]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/10/immersions-motiv-development-platform-integrates-haptics-into-a/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/10/immersions-motiv-development-platform-integrates-haptics-into-a/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/10/immersions-motiv-development-platform-integrates-haptics-into-a/#comments You may know that Immersion's haptic technology is in everything from surgical simulators to game controllers, but we're willing to bet you didn't know it's already baked into over 200 million existing devices -- including every Samsung Galaxy S smartphone and handsets by Nokia and LG. Now, using Android handsets' existing vibrator motors, a cheap software upgrade can inject force feedback into existing elements across the entire Android UI (2.2 and up), and with future devices -- built with multi-dollar piezoelectric actuators that vibrate the screen itself -- the haptic experience goes hi-fi. Now that it's revealed that little easter egg to the world, Immersion wants you to build some apps, and to that end it's releasing the MOTIV developer platform this March. Read all about it after the break.

Gallery: Immersion's piezoelectric haptic reference handset, hands-on

Continue reading Immersion's MOTIV development platform integrates haptics into Android, we go hands-on

Immersion's MOTIV development platform integrates haptics into Android, we go hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 Feb 2011 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidfeedbackforce feedbackForceFeedbackgooglehands-onhaptichaptic feedbackHapticFeedbackHapticsimmersionpiezopiezo-actuatorpiezoelectrictactiletouchThu, 10 Feb 2011 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Synaptics Fuse concept handset puts a new squeeze on touchphone interaction]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/14/synaptics-fuse-concept-handset-puts-a-new-squeeze-on-touchphone/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/14/synaptics-fuse-concept-handset-puts-a-new-squeeze-on-touchphone/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/14/synaptics-fuse-concept-handset-puts-a-new-squeeze-on-touchphone/#comments In case you weren't aware, Synaptics dabbled in the touchscreen handset game way back in 2006 with the Onyx concept, before phones like the LG Prada and Apple's iPhone came along and proved the idea so convincingly. However, Synaptics thinks innovation has stagnated since, and has girded itself once again to attempt another trend-setting concept. This one's a bit more wild: the "Fuse" involves contributions from Alloy, TAT, Immersion and Texas Instruments, and includes squeeze, tilt and haptic interaction. The big idea is to approach single-handed and no-look operation on a touchscreen handset, no small feat to be sure. The result is a pure kitchen sink of sensors, including a touchpad on the back of the phone, touch and pressure sensitive strips along both sides of the phones, dual haptic feedback motors, a 3-axis accelerometer and of course a new-generation Synaptics touchscreen in front. The TI OMAP 3630 processor powers the TAT Cascades 3D UI Engine which attempts to contextualize UI interaction with perspective tilts and fancy motion, and the haptics feeds back to let you know where your finger is on the screen -- an attempt to emulate feeling out the correct nub for keypad orientation on a button phone. We'll have to play with it to find out if Synaptics is really on to something, but even if the Fuse isn't the next best thing, we could certainly see somebody using some of these sensors to improve existing handset interaction. Check out a quick video after the break.

Continue reading Synaptics Fuse concept handset puts a new squeeze on touchphone interaction

Synaptics Fuse concept handset puts a new squeeze on touchphone interaction originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 Dec 2009 11:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alloycapacitivecapacitive touchCapacitiveTouchfuseimmersionsynapticstattexas instrumentsTexasInstrumentstitouchscreenMon, 14 Dec 2009 11:34:00 EST<![CDATA[LiMo Foundation now counts KDDI and Immersion among membership]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/12/limo-foundation-now-counts-kddi-and-immersion-among-membership/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/12/limo-foundation-now-counts-kddi-and-immersion-among-membership/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/12/limo-foundation-now-counts-kddi-and-immersion-among-membership/#comments Though it doesn't have the star power of Android or (arguably) the Symbian Foundation, LiMo's still slaving away on devices and picking up support, largely in Japan where NTT DoCoMo played a major role in its creation. Following a finalization of its Release 2 specs a couple months back, the Foundation's now adding a couple additional big players into its ranks that should help it penetrate even further in Japan, too: KDDI, rival to DoCoMo and operator of the country's CDMA airwaves, and Immersion, a (the?) big player in haptics. Japan's Softbank is already on board, too, so at this point, these guys pretty much have the Japanese wireless trifecta under their belts.

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LiMo Foundation now counts KDDI and Immersion among membership originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Aug 2009 08:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>immersionkddilimolimo foundationLimoFoundationlinuxmobileWed, 12 Aug 2009 08:54:00 EST<![CDATA[Immersion demos new TouchSense multitouch, haptic keyboard at D7]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/27/immersion-demos-new-multitouch-haptic-keyboard-at-d7/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/27/immersion-demos-new-multitouch-haptic-keyboard-at-d7/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/27/immersion-demos-new-multitouch-haptic-keyboard-at-d7/#comments 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

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Immersion demos new TouchSense multitouch, haptic keyboard at D7 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 May 2009 20:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>d conferenced7DConferencehaptichaptic feebackhaptic keyboardHapticFeebackHapticKeyboardimmersionkeyboardmultitouchmultitouch keyboardMultitouchKeyboardvirtual keyboardVirtualKeyboardWed, 27 May 2009 20:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony sued for cheating man out of rumble patents]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/24/sony-sued-for-cheating-man-out-of-rumble-patents/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/24/sony-sued-for-cheating-man-out-of-rumble-patents/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/24/sony-sued-for-cheating-man-out-of-rumble-patents/#comments
Two years after we thought it was all over, it sounds like the saga of Sony, Immersion, and the rumblin' DualShock has yet another chapter: a New Jersey electrical engineer named Craig Thorner is now suing Sony and its attorneys, claiming that he was more or less duped out of one of his patents in a shady deal designed to help Sony and PDP/Electrosource beat Immersion's cases against them. Oh yeah, it's a tangled mess -- Thorner first signed over his patent to Immersion, hoping to score a little slice of royalty pie when the lawsuit settled, but then took it back when he decided Immersion wasn't pursuing it hard enough and signed it over to PDP/Electrosource, who promised him $150,000. So where does Sony come in? Thorner says PDP and Sony were teamed up to beat Immersion, and that Sony was secretly the one licensing the patent but trying to remain out of the picture to keep the price down -- and he's got proof, in the form of a $150,000 wire transfer between the two companies. Not only that, but Sony's attorneys apparently promised Thorner that they could "wear two hats" during negotiations and represent both him and Sony, which is ten kinds of shady. You can guess what happened next: Sony lost, PDP settled, and Immersion sued Thorner for breaking his agreement -- and Sony's attorneys didn't help him defend the lawsuit. Did we say ten kinds of shady? Eleven kinds. Of course, it's doubtful that Thorner is totally innocent here, so it'll be interesting to see how Sony responds, but at this point we're treating the DualShock 3 as a miracle of nature and leaving it at that.

[Via Joystiq]

Read - GamePolitics article (with PDF of the complaint)
Read - Law.com article

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Sony sued for cheating man out of rumble patents originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Apr 2009 13:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>craig thornerCraigThornerdual shockdual shock 3DualShockDualShock3immersionlawsuitlegalpatentplaystationplaystation 3Playstation3ps3rumblesonyFri, 24 Apr 2009 13:44:00 EST<![CDATA[Trio of 'thin touchscreen phones' inbound for Nokia later this year?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/09/trio-of-thin-touchscreen-phones-inbound-for-nokia-later-this-y/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/09/trio-of-thin-touchscreen-phones-inbound-for-nokia-later-this-y/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/09/trio-of-thin-touchscreen-phones-inbound-for-nokia-later-this-y/#commentsOne look at the N97 will tell you that Nokia intends to take this whole touch thing pretty seriously, and considering that we're talking about the largest handset maker in the world here, it shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone that they've got new touch models in the pipe; the volume and style of those new models, though, might be a little shocking. TheStreet.com is reporting "people familiar with the plan" as saying that Espoo will launch up to three different thin touch-enabled models by this fall using the VibeTonz tech it licensed from Immersion back in the day, suggesting that the company's more traditional non-touch S60 devices might have to start to share the spotlight equally with touchier brethren. VibeTonz should give Nokia plenty of options for tailoring haptic feedback based on user interaction, but here's our question: what the hell ever happened to Haptikos?

[Via Unwired View]

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Trio of 'thin touchscreen phones' inbound for Nokia later this year? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Apr 2009 08:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hapticsimmersionmobilenokiatouchtouchscreenvibetonzThu, 09 Apr 2009 08:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: Immersion's Cubtile 3D multitouch cube]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/11/video-immersions-cubtile-3d-multitouch-cube/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/11/video-immersions-cubtile-3d-multitouch-cube/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/11/video-immersions-cubtile-3d-multitouch-cube/#comments
Everybody loves a multitouch device -- Apple's making it easier for developers to get in on the action by way of the MacBook's trackpad, hackers are making it easier for Android fans to rock it on the G1, and how about that happenin' SmartTable? Immersion is no stranger to the field itself, and now the company has unveiled something called Cubtile. This is a cube-shaped interface designed for manipulating complex 3D data in virtual environments, with not one but (count 'em!) five multitouch faces. Check out the videos after the break to experience the chills and thrills as researchers manipulate Google Earth data and images of the human brain with two deft hands. We're really looking forwards to the Rubik's Cube they build out of this thing...

Continue reading Video: Immersion's Cubtile 3D multitouch cube

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Video: Immersion's Cubtile 3D multitouch cube originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 11 Feb 2009 16:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3d multitouch3dMultitouchCubtileImmersionmultitouchmultitouch cubeMultitouchCubeWed, 11 Feb 2009 16:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Immersion ready to get haptic technology into Android phones]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/09/immersion-ready-to-get-haptic-technology-into-android-phones/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/09/immersion-ready-to-get-haptic-technology-into-android-phones/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/09/immersion-ready-to-get-haptic-technology-into-android-phones/#commentsImmersion's no stranger to bringing haptic feedback to cellphones, and if it has its way, it'll be on an Android-powered cellie in the very near future. The developer and licensor of touch feedback technology has proudly (very proudly, in fact) announced that its touch tech is now available for implementation in Android phones. Few details are spilled to the general populace, but we are informed that makers of Android handsets can "now easily add haptics to dramatically improve the mobile user experience." Of course, the back end of that statement is totally subjective, but don't blame these guys if your next Android phone doesn't buzz with each button press.

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Immersion ready to get haptic technology into Android phones originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 09 Jan 2009 18:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidgooglehaptichaptic feedbackHapticFeedbackImmersionmobileOHAopen handset allianceOpenHandsetAlliancetouch feedbackTouchFeedbackvibetonzFri, 09 Jan 2009 18:22:00 EST<![CDATA[Immersion to pay Microsoft $21 million, Sony groans]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/27/immersion-to-pay-microsoft-21-million-sony-groans/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/27/immersion-to-pay-microsoft-21-million-sony-groans/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/27/immersion-to-pay-microsoft-21-million-sony-groans/#commentsDual Shock 3
Immersion, the company that owns virtually every vibration and haptic tech on earth, is getting a taste of its own medicine now that it owes Microsoft $21 million. You may remember back in 2003 when Microsoft floated an unknown sum of cash in the direction of Immersion in order to include patented vibration technology in its Xbox 360 controllers. Around the same time, Sony told us all that we don't need no stinkin' vibration and passed on paying up. Last year, though, Sony bowed to customer pressure and paid Immersion $121 million in order to unleash the Dual Shock 3. Immersion was supposed to share some of that Sony booty with Microsoft -- and they didn't. So there we have it: we all got a piece of Sony and we have the DualShock 3. Everyone happy now?

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Immersion to pay Microsoft $21 million, Sony groans originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 Aug 2008 10:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dual shock 3DualShock3hapticimmersionmicrosoftplaystation 3Playstation3sonyxboxWed, 27 Aug 2008 10:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple looking to Immersion for haptic technology on iPhone?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/26/apple-looking-to-immersion-for-haptic-technology-on-iphone/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/26/apple-looking-to-immersion-for-haptic-technology-on-iphone/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/26/apple-looking-to-immersion-for-haptic-technology-on-iphone/#commentsImmersion, the same folks responsible for adding haptic technology (force feedback from touch panels, pretty much) in a fleet of Nokia handsets, could be looking to do the same with Cupertino's one and only. While VibeTonz isn't specifically mentioned by name, a recent report (which should certainly be filed as a rumor for the time being) is suggesting that bigwigs from both outfits are in ongoing meetings "over licensing and implementation issues of iPhone haptics." Interestingly enough, this news is flowing hot on the heels of Immersion appointing Clent Richardson as president and CEO; if that name rings a bell, he previously spent five years pretty high up the ladder at Apple. Of course, all the signs pointing to yes doesn't mean anything in and of itself, so we'll just twiddle our thumbs a bit longer and hope to have some feedback for 'em soon enough.

[Thanks, Chris]

Read - Rumors of Immersion bringing haptics to iPhone
Read - Clent Richardson becomes president / CEO of Immersion

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Apple looking to Immersion for haptic technology on iPhone? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 26 Apr 2008 12:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applefeedbackgsmhaptichaptic feedbackHapticFeedbackImmersioniphoneiphone osiphoneosmobilepartnerpartnershiprumorSat, 26 Apr 2008 12:13:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple looking to Immersion for haptic technology on iPhone?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/26/apple-looking-to-immersion-for-haptic-technology-on-iphone/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/26/apple-looking-to-immersion-for-haptic-technology-on-iphone/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/26/apple-looking-to-immersion-for-haptic-technology-on-iphone/#commentsImmersion, the same folks responsible for adding haptic technology (force feedback from touch panels, pretty much) in a fleet of Nokia handsets, could be looking to do the same with Cupertino's one and only. While VibeTonz isn't specifically mentioned by name, a recent report (which should certainly be filed as a rumor for the time being) is suggesting that bigwigs from both outfits are in ongoing meetings "over licensing and implementation issues of iPhone haptics." Interestingly enough, this news is flowing hot on the heels of Immersion appointing Clent Richardson as president and CEO; if that name rings a bell, he previously spent five years pretty high up the ladder at Apple. Of course, all the signs pointing to yes doesn't mean anything in and of itself, so we'll just twiddle our thumbs a bit longer and hope to have some feedback for 'em soon enough.

[Thanks, Chris]

Read - Rumors of Immersion bringing haptics to iPhone
Read - Clent Richardson becomes president / CEO of Immersion

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Apple looking to Immersion for haptic technology on iPhone? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 26 Apr 2008 12:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applefeedbackhaptichaptic feedbackHapticFeedbackImmersioniphonepartnerpartnershiprumorSat, 26 Apr 2008 12:13:00 EST<![CDATA[CTT-Net intros TouchSense-enabled navigation systems]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/22/ctt-net-intros-touchsense-enabled-navigation-systems/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/22/ctt-net-intros-touchsense-enabled-navigation-systems/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/22/ctt-net-intros-touchsense-enabled-navigation-systems/#comments
It's been a while since we last heard about Immersion's TouchSense technology for LCDs, but it looks like the tactile feedback technology has now managed to squeeze itself into one of its biggest potential markets, with CTT-Net now introducing a pair of TouchSense-enabled GPS units. Aimed squarely at the Korean market, the CSN-7040 and CIN-7000 models each boasts 7-inch touch screens, and support for DMB mobile TV, along with the usual array of GPS and PMP features. But, of course, the real selling point is that tactile feedback, which Immersion says will "minimize driver distraction" by reducing the time spent glancing over at the unit. No word on pricing or availability just yet, it seems, or any word of the technology making into GPS units outside of Korea, though we're guessing Immersion is far from giving up on that last point.

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CTT-Net intros TouchSense-enabled navigation systems originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 22 Oct 2007 11:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ctt-netforce feedbackForceFeedbackgpsimmersiontactile feedbackTactileFeedbacktouchsenseMon, 22 Oct 2007 11:21:00 EST<![CDATA[Omni-directional treadmill could put you in the game]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/10/omni-directional-treadmill-could-put-you-in-the-game/http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/10/omni-directional-treadmill-could-put-you-in-the-game/http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/10/omni-directional-treadmill-could-put-you-in-the-game/#comments
Sure, you get a pretty good workout on that regular treadmill, but don't you think you could burn more calories if you had a little directional freedom? Well, thanks to the ridiculously clever people at Virtual Space Devices, you're one step closer to breaking free of your staid workout -- and one step closer to fully immersive virtual environments. The Michigan-based company has been developing an omni-directional treadmill since 1996, and they appear to have come up with a real solution -- a self-contained unit which allows you to walk (or run) in any direction you choose, without actually covering any ground. Next up the company plans to manufacture a device called the iPlane, which will not only allow you to walk and run wherever you want, but fly as well, which should make future iterations of Doom really, really interesting. Watch the video after the break and be stunned and amazed.

[Via Digg]

Continue reading Omni-directional treadmill could put you in the game

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Omni-directional treadmill could put you in the game originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Aug 2007 12:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>immersionlocomotionomni directionalomni-directionalOmniDirectionaltreadmillvirtual realityVirtualRealityFri, 10 Aug 2007 12:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumbling SIXAXIS controllers already going out to devs?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/01/rumbling-sixaxis-controllers-already-going-out-to-devs/http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/01/rumbling-sixaxis-controllers-already-going-out-to-devs/http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/01/rumbling-sixaxis-controllers-already-going-out-to-devs/#comments
We've been expecting SIXAXIS controllers to get their shake on ever since Sony and Immersion settled that little patent dispute of theirs, and that glorious day seems like it's inching ever closer, with game-industry gossip blog Inner Bits reporting that rumbling SIXAXIS prototypes are already in the hands of developers, and that they'll be unveiled in two to three months -- or whenever Sony's happy with developer support. Inner Bits is also saying that updated SIXAXIS units with refined motion-control features are already starting to filter onto shelves, so it looks like the controller devs at Sony have been busy the past few months.

[Via PS3 Fanboy]

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Rumbling SIXAXIS controllers already going out to devs? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Aug 2007 22:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>immersionplaystation 3Playstation3ps3rumblesixaxissonyWed, 01 Aug 2007 22:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Kaz Hirai hints at future SIXAXIS iterations]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/22/kaz-hirai-hints-at-future-sixaxis-iterations/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/22/kaz-hirai-hints-at-future-sixaxis-iterations/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/22/kaz-hirai-hints-at-future-sixaxis-iterations/#commentsDon't look now, but here we have yet another crop of details on Sony's (still) forthcoming rumbling SIXAXIS. In a recent interview with Kaz Hirai, he mentioned that Sony is currently looking at "a variety of other things [besides rumble] that it can incorporate with the controller," and while he wasn't giving out specifics, he did say that we could look forward to any enticing announcements in due time. He also declared that the controller itself was an "evolving peripheral," and piqued our interest even more by suggesting that the existing model would not be "the final model for a PS3 controller." If nothing else, we're utterly relieved to know that conjuring up a controller for the PlayStation 4 will be a piece of cake -- getting a first-party rumbling version for the PS3, however, still seems to be an issue.

[Via Joystiq]

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Kaz Hirai hints at future SIXAXIS iterations originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 22 Jul 2007 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>controllerimmersionKaz HiraiKazHiraiplaystation 3Playstation3ps3rumblerumblingsixasixsonySun, 22 Jul 2007 11:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft and Immersion heading to court... again]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/19/microsoft-and-immersion-heading-to-court-again/http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/19/microsoft-and-immersion-heading-to-court-again/http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/19/microsoft-and-immersion-heading-to-court-again/#commentsLooks like Microsoft, no slouch when it comes to lawsuits, is heading back to court for another round of player-hating, he-said-she-said proceedings with Immersion (no stranger to the court system itself). The case seems a two-way deal stemming from a 2002 Immersion patent infringement suit, in which Microsoft paid $26m to settle the case and buy a piece of the business; apparently Immersion hasn't honored a clause stating that Microsoft is to receive some change in the event that Immersion and Sony settle, and the folks in Redmond want retribution: $15m minimum. Immersion, of course, thinks it's not required to pay out any such cash, leading one enraged Microsoft rep to shout into a hanging mic, "We will show Immersion the meaning of rumble!" No, not really, but we'd certainly plunk down to see Microsoft and Immersion counsel duke it out in the square circle instead of a stodgy court room.

[Via Gamasutra]

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Microsoft and Immersion heading to court... again originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Jun 2007 13:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hapticimmersionlegalmicrosoftpatentsrumblexboxTue, 19 Jun 2007 13:43:00 EST<![CDATA[Battery life proving problematic in adding rumble to SIXAXIS?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/17/battery-life-proving-problematic-in-adding-rumble-to-sixaxis/http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/17/battery-life-proving-problematic-in-adding-rumble-to-sixaxis/http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/17/battery-life-proving-problematic-in-adding-rumble-to-sixaxis/#commentsIt's unlikely that we'll be the only ones thrilled to see this fiasco finally reach closure, and even though the dust has somewhat settled, the PS3 faithful are still operating sans a first-party rumbling controller. Rumors may have suggested that such a device was indeed getting ready to launch in the not too distant future, but according to a blurb at Inner Bits, battery life could be holding things up. While it doesn't come without a tad of salt, Sony is reportedly "facing some difficulties with regard to battery life," as sources supposedly mentioned that "the rumble and wireless support" were causing the batteries to "drain too fast to be acceptable for consumers." Of course, there's always the third-party alternative if you're not picky, but those holding out for the real deal could be waiting a tick longer if this proves true.

[Via Joystiq]

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Battery life proving problematic in adding rumble to SIXAXIS? originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 17 Jun 2007 01:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batterybattery lifeBatteryLifeimmersionps3rumblesixaxissonySun, 17 Jun 2007 01:18:00 EST<![CDATA[Logitech Cordless Precision for PlayStation 3 brings the rumble, forgets the motion]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/14/logitech-cordless-precision-for-playstation-3-brings-the-rumble/http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/14/logitech-cordless-precision-for-playstation-3-brings-the-rumble/http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/14/logitech-cordless-precision-for-playstation-3-brings-the-rumble/#comments
Why Logitech decided to eschew a "next-gen" feature for a "last-gen" one in its newest PS3 controller we'll never know, but the esteemed peripherals manufacturer is nonetheless poised to loose its rumble-tastic, accelerometer-free Cordless Precision for PlayStation 3 on the gaming world. IGN got a first look at the SIXAXIS competitor, and while they appreciate the build quality, battery life, and solid wireless connection, the lack of motion sensing, crappy D-pad, and absence of Bluetooth-related functionality (the Precision requires a USB dongle to communicate with the console) aren't worth the ten dollar discount you're getting when compared to a first-party offering. Plus, now that Sony and Immersion have finally made nice, you're bound to see some Bluetooth gamepads incorporating both force feedback and tilty goodness in the very near future.

[Via Joystiq]

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Logitech Cordless Precision for PlayStation 3 brings the rumble, forgets the motion originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 14 Jun 2007 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Cordless Precision for PlayStation 3CordlessPrecisionForPlaystation3immersionlogitechplaystation 3Playstation3ps3rumblesixaxissonyThu, 14 Jun 2007 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor has it the PS3's SIXAXIS ready to rumble this year]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/25/rumor-has-it-the-ps3s-sixaxis-ready-to-rumble-this-year/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/25/rumor-has-it-the-ps3s-sixaxis-ready-to-rumble-this-year/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/25/rumor-has-it-the-ps3s-sixaxis-ready-to-rumble-this-year/#comments
While it's indeed completely plausible -- even likely -- that we'll see rumble in the SIXAXIS this year courtesy of Sony's new deal with Immersion, it's also important to remember there are many kinds of rumor, and the type that originates from internet message boards, well, just don't say we didn't clarify where this one came from. According to a GameFAQs posting, the new issue of PSM itself is supposedly publishing what they too identify as a rumor that Sony's set to announce SIXAXIS rumble for the PS3 at E3 in July, which will have new controllers land on November 13th. So hey take this rumor within a rumor how you will, but Sony's got to announce something at E3, don't they?

[Via Joystiq]

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Rumor has it the PS3's SIXAXIS ready to rumble this year originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 25 May 2007 12:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>immersionplaystation 3Playstation3ps3sixaxissonyFri, 25 May 2007 12:37:00 EST<![CDATA[Engadget Podcast 108 - 04.29.2007]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/04/30/engadget-podcast-108-04-29-2007/http://www.engadget.com/2007/04/30/engadget-podcast-108-04-29-2007/http://www.engadget.com/2007/04/30/engadget-podcast-108-04-29-2007/#comments Sure, our Podcast is a little late going up from this weekend, but where else are you gonna hear Engadget editors ramble on about the latest developments in gaming with the Xbox Elite, and Sony's loss of Kutaragi? Also up this week: AT&T misfires on the N75 launch, and find out more about how you can win a Wii.

Get the podcast
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Hosts: Peter Rojas and Ryan Block
Producer: Trent Wolbe
Music: Solvent - Instructograph (Ghostly International)

Program:
01:07 - Xbox 360 Elite coverage roundup -- are you getting one?
10:42 - Sony's Ken Kutaragi leaving SCE chairman and CEO spots in June
19:58 - Sony, Immersion in talks to get SIXAXIS rumbling
22:32 - Fuh Yuan retracts $299 Wal-Mart HD DVD statement
28:27 - AT&T botches Nokia N75 launch, pulls from site
30:25 - The debacle continues: AT&T pulls LG CU500v, too
35:49 - The Engadget mascot contest: win a Wii!

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Contact the podcast: 1-888-ENGADGET, Engadget (Gizmo Project) or podcast at engadget dawt com

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Engadget Podcast 108 - 04.29.2007 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 30 Apr 2007 13:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuresfuh yuanFuhYuanimmersionken kutaragiKenKutaragikutaragimicrosoftplaystation 3Playstation3podcastsps3sixaxissonywal-martxboxxbox 360xbox 360 eliteXbox360Xbox360EliteMon, 30 Apr 2007 13:16:00 ESTEngadget Podcast 108Peter Rojas, Ryan Block0:40:00podcasts<![CDATA[Sony, Immersion in talks to get SIXAXIS rumbling]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/04/27/sony-immersion-in-talks-to-get-sixaxis-rumbling/http://www.engadget.com/2007/04/27/sony-immersion-in-talks-to-get-sixaxis-rumbling/http://www.engadget.com/2007/04/27/sony-immersion-in-talks-to-get-sixaxis-rumbling/#commentsMan, hasn't this one been a rollercoaster? After months in the courtroom, large sums of money being resentfully exchanged, and Immersion laughing all the way to the bank, it seems like the two firms have finally got over their beef with one another and are ready to make things happen -- officially. This slowly developing friendship has been waiting in the works for some time now, but according to a reported blurb by Sony's US PR head honcho Dave Karraker, the company is "currently in discussions with Immersion on how it can incorporate their technologies into Sony's products," but unfortunately, he concluded by informing us that "no timetable was set." Still, the inclusion of rumble features on PSOne and PS2 dual shock controllers in the latest PS3 firmware all but substantiate the post-lawsuit relationship, so we can't imagine (okay, so we can) this debacle dragging out too much longer.

[Via PS3Fanboy]

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Sony, Immersion in talks to get SIXAXIS rumbling originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 Apr 2007 10:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agreementcontrolcontrollerdiscussionsImmersionplaystation 3Playstation3ps3rumblesixaxissonyFri, 27 Apr 2007 10:14:00 EST<![CDATA[F-Origin's HaptiTouch 2.0: MyOrigo returns!]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/04/05/f-origins-haptitouch-2-0-myorigo-returns/http://www.engadget.com/2007/04/05/f-origins-haptitouch-2-0-myorigo-returns/http://www.engadget.com/2007/04/05/f-origins-haptitouch-2-0-myorigo-returns/#commentsStep asside Immersion, you're not the only ones offering haptic technology for mobile devices. From the ashes of MyOrigo's assets comes F-Origin's HaptiTouch 2.0 force-sensing technology. Pressure sensors measure your push on the screen to cause a "pinpointed vibration" directly below your finger. In contrast, Immersion uses resistive technology which measures the changes in electrical current as your grubby finger smudges across the display. See, as good as they look, the problem with the latest round of button-less, touchscreen handsets is the lack of that good ol' fashioned haptic feedback. Something you'll surely miss while tapping away on a zero-feedback, touchscreen keyboard. Immersion's VibeTonz tech can already be found in Samsung's SCH-W559 phone loosed in China. With any luck, F-origin will be licensing their newly acquired technology to manufacturers such as Siemens who will "likely" be first to market with product before the year is up. Check the 2003 MyOrigo Mydevice with 2007 F-Origin corporate voice over (and complimentary audio cheese) after the break.

[Via Wired Gadget Lab]

F-Origin's HaptiTouch 2.0: MyOrigo returns! originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 Apr 2007 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f-originhaptichaptitouchimmersionmobilemydevicemyorigosiemensvibetonzThu, 05 Apr 2007 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[F-Origin's HaptiTouch 2.0: MyOrigo returns!]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/04/05/f-origins-haptitouch-2-0-myorigo-returns/http://www.engadget.com/2007/04/05/f-origins-haptitouch-2-0-myorigo-returns/http://www.engadget.com/2007/04/05/f-origins-haptitouch-2-0-myorigo-returns/#commentsStep asside Immersion, you're not the only ones offering haptic technology for mobile devices. From the ashes of MyOrigo's assets comes F-Origin's HaptiTouch 2.0 force-sensing technology. Pressure sensors measure your push on the screen to cause a "pinpointed vibration" directly below your finger. In contrast, Immersion uses resistive technology which measures the changes in electrical current as your grubby finger smudges across the display. See, as good as they look, the problem with the latest round of button-less, touchscreen handsets is the lack of that good ol' fashioned haptic feedback. Something you'll surely miss while tapping away on a zero-feedback, touchscreen keyboard. Immersion's VibeTonz tech can already be found in Samsung's SCH-W559 phone loosed in China. With any luck, F-origin will be licensing their newly acquired technology to manufacturers such as Siemens who will "likely" be first to market with product before the year is up. Check the 2003 MyOrigo Mydevice with 2007 F-Origin corporate voice over (and complimentary audio cheese) after the break.

[Via Wired Gadget Lab]

Continue reading F-Origin's HaptiTouch 2.0: MyOrigo returns!

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F-Origin's HaptiTouch 2.0: MyOrigo returns! originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 Apr 2007 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f-originhaptichaptitouchimmersionmydevicemyorigosiemensvibetonzThu, 05 Apr 2007 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Developer confirms rumble coming to PS3]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/13/developer-confirms-rumble-coming-to-ps3/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/13/developer-confirms-rumble-coming-to-ps3/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/13/developer-confirms-rumble-coming-to-ps3/#commentsEverything last-gen is new-gen when it comes to the PS3 and its suspiciously absent rumble feature -- at least that's the impression we got from God of War Game Director Cory Barlog, who apparently told 1UP that God of War 3 for PS3 will be 1080p and, more importantly, have vibration (aka rumble, aka force feedback, aka what Sony's been making piss-poor excuses for not having in the PS3 for quite some time). Obviously this is absolutely not a shock considering that Sony and Immersion finally settled and made nice; and we're more than happy to finally have the feature, we're just experiencing a dash of lingering resentment about the facts that a) Sony hadn't been so disingenuous about why the feature wasn't included in the first place (including claims of technical infeasibility) and b) everybody's going to have to buy expensive new controllers for that "last-gen" feature.

[Via Joystiq]

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Developer confirms rumble coming to PS3 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Mar 2007 18:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>immersionplaystation 3Playstation3ps3rumblesonyvibrationTue, 13 Mar 2007 18:53:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony and Immersion settle suit, rumble coming to the PS3?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/02/sony-and-immersion-settle-suit-rumble-coming-to-the-ps3/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/02/sony-and-immersion-settle-suit-rumble-coming-to-the-ps3/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/02/sony-and-immersion-settle-suit-rumble-coming-to-the-ps3/#commentsAlright, so just days after trashing rumble as a "last generation feature," it appears that Sony cut a deal with Immersion (AKA the company which owns the patents on force-feed back stuff for controllers) paving the way for them to potentially add this "last generation feature" to their next generation console. Looks like Sony more or less caved here. They're paying Immersion the full sum awarded to them by a Federal District Cour, plus interest, and the two companies have agreed to enter into a "a new business agreement to explore the inclusion of Immersion technology in PlayStation(R) format products." So when do we finally see rumble in the PS3?

[Thanks to everyone who sent this one in]

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Sony and Immersion settle suit, rumble coming to the PS3? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 02 Mar 2007 09:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>immersionpatentsps3rumblesixaxissonyFri, 02 Mar 2007 09:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Samsung SCH-W559 touts vibrating VibeTonz touchscreen]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/17/samsung-sch-w559-touts-vibrating-vibetonz-touchscreen/http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/17/samsung-sch-w559-touts-vibrating-vibetonz-touchscreen/http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/17/samsung-sch-w559-touts-vibrating-vibetonz-touchscreen/#commentsAlthough Immersion's VibeTonz technology has been integrated into various Samsung handsets in the past, the shakin' technology was previously limited to ring tone and gaming enhancements. Today, however, Samsung is launching the keypad-less SCH-W559, which is the self-proclaimed "world's first" handset to utilize the VibeTonz system as a means of tactile feedback. The unit's QVGA touchscreen is meant to be a hands-on experience, and whether you use a stylus or the tips of your finger, the phone will provide a vibrating cue, which can be adjusted and customized within the phone's software, whenever you touch a virtual button. Immersion claims that its technology allows the on-screen buttons to feel more like "mechanical keys" rather than just a sheet of plastic. The device will be launching solely on China Unicom initially, will support both CDMA / GSM networks, and will feature a 1.3-megapixel camera, Bluetooth, handwriting recognition capability, and audio / video playback functions to boot. Of course, users will be able to pimp out their ringtones with integrated buzzing, and while we're not sure how much Samsung plans on charging for the rumbler, we can't wait for it to start shaking things up here on American soil.

[Thanks, Peter S.]

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Samsung SCH-W559 touts vibrating VibeTonz touchscreen originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 17 Jan 2007 16:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anycallbluetoothcdmachinachina unicomchinaunicomfeedbackforce feedbackForceFeedbackgsmimmersionmobilesamsungtactiletactile feedbackTactileFeedbacktouchscreenvibetonzvibrationWed, 17 Jan 2007 16:51:00 EST<![CDATA[Samsung SCH-W559 touts vibrating VibeTonz touchscreen]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/17/samsung-sch-w559-touts-vibrating-vibetonz-touchscreen/http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/17/samsung-sch-w559-touts-vibrating-vibetonz-touchscreen/http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/17/samsung-sch-w559-touts-vibrating-vibetonz-touchscreen/#commentsAlthough Immersion's VibeTonz technology has been integrated into various Samsung handsets in the past, the shakin' technology was previously limited to ring tone and gaming enhancements. Today, however, Samsung is launching the keypad-less SCH-W559, which is the self-proclaimed "world's first" handset to utilize the VibeTonz system as a means of tactile feedback. The unit's QVGA touchscreen is meant to be a hands-on experience, and whether you use a stylus or the tips of your finger, the phone will provide a vibrating cue, which can be adjusted and customized within the phone's software, whenever you touch a virtual button. Immersion claims that its technology allows the on-screen buttons to feel more like "mechanical keys" rather than just a sheet of plastic. The device will be launching solely on China Unicom initially, will support both CDMA / GSM networks, and will feature a 1.3-megapixel camera, Bluetooth, handwriting recognition capability, and audio / video playback functions to boot. Of course, users will be able to pimp out their ringtones with integrated buzzing, and while we're not sure how much Samsung plans on charging for the rumbler, we can't wait for it to start shaking things up here on American soil.

[Thanks, Peter S.]

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Samsung SCH-W559 touts vibrating VibeTonz touchscreen originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 17 Jan 2007 16:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anycallbluetoothchinachina unicomChinaUnicomfeedbackImmersionsamsungSCH-W559tactiltactile feedbackTactileFeedbacktouchscreenvibetonzvibrationvibratorWed, 17 Jan 2007 16:51:00 EST<![CDATA[Immersion survey suggests Sony better get ready to rumble]]>http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/25/immersion-survey-suggests-sony-better-get-ready-to-rumble/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/25/immersion-survey-suggests-sony-better-get-ready-to-rumble/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/25/immersion-survey-suggests-sony-better-get-ready-to-rumble/#comments
Press releases are boring. We go through literally hundreds of them a day, and for the most part, they're self-serving documents full of half-truths and inflated claims about products and services. So imagine our delight when we stumbled upon this little doozy of a release from marketing firm Ipsos Insight, which details a study done on behalf of the Immersion Corporation concerning gamers' preferences and purchasing plans with regards to the trio of next-generation consoles. You probably remember Immersion as the company that successfully sued Sony over the use of computer-controlled vibration technology in its PlayStation and PS2 Dual Shock controllers, and since Sony has apparently neither paid Immersion the $90 million it owes nor licensed the rumble tech for its SIXAXIS PS3 gamepads, the release comes across as a thinly-veiled reminder that gamers really, really like playing with input devices that shake and buzz in their sweaty hands.

Not only does the (completely unbiased) poll report that 72% of the 1,075 respondents agree vibration feedback enhances their game experience, it goes on to note that 59% of those surveyed would prefer rumble on the PS3 controller, while only 8% care about motion / tilt sensing (sorry, Nintendo). As if these numbers didn't paint a clear enough picture of the message Immersion is trying to convey, two further questions spell it out even more explicitly: when asked if the lack of rumble capabilities would affect their buying decisions (apparently 74% of those polled weren't even aware of the "no rumble" policy -- clearly no Engadget readers amongst that bunch), 5% said that it would definitely cause them not to buy a PS3 and 32% claimed that they were less likely to pick one up for this reason and this reason alone. Now obviously Immersion knew exactly the results that it wanted before it conducted this "study," and probably phrased the questions in order to get the most desirable data set, but even non-statistics majors like ourselves could have figured out that gamers accustomed to the fun of Dual Shock would be in for a letdown the first time they picked up a rumble-free SIXAXIS controller.

Okay, Sony, the cards are on the table, and even if these numbers are skewed, you know full well that you can't be the only player in the game without a little vibration action going on. So what's it gonna be: are you going to keep hoping that some appeals court finally overturns the numerous prior decisions against you, or are you going to shell out some dough just like Microsoft and Nintendo did, and finally give the majority of your target audience what it wants? To us, it doesn't really seem like much of a choice at all.

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Immersion survey suggests Sony better get ready to rumble originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 25 Sep 2006 22:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>consolesdual shockDualShockgamersgamingimmersionplaystationpollspress releasesPressReleasesps3rumblesixaxissonysurveysvibration feedbackVibrationFeedbackvideogamesMon, 25 Sep 2006 22:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Immersion: haptics will make touch screens easier to use]]>http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/27/immersion-haptics-will-make-touch-screens-easier-to-use/http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/27/immersion-haptics-will-make-touch-screens-easier-to-use/http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/27/immersion-haptics-will-make-touch-screens-easier-to-use/#commentsIf you're like us, phones with on-screen keypads seem like a great idea until you actually try to use them, at which point you realize just how important the sense of touch is to your ability to type a phone number accurately. While waiting for Sony to make their next move, Immersion Corporation is using some of its down time to show off haptic touch screens, which pulse in sync with a user's taps to provide some feedback that a virtual button has been pressed. As you might guess, they're looking to market the technology to smartphone manufacturers, but to the best of our knowledge, no partners have been announced. We'd prefer screens that change shape in response to what's being displayed -- maybe Immersion can get going on that if they end up scoring $90 million in the Dual Shock fiasco.

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Immersion: haptics will make touch screens easier to use originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Jun 2006 05:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>haptichapticsimmersionmobileTue, 27 Jun 2006 05:53:00 EST<![CDATA[Immersion ready to rumble with PS3 controller]]>http://www.engadget.com/2006/05/19/immersion-ready-to-rumble-with-ps3-controller/http://www.engadget.com/2006/05/19/immersion-ready-to-rumble-with-ps3-controller/http://www.engadget.com/2006/05/19/immersion-ready-to-rumble-with-ps3-controller/#comments
Why doesn't  Sony's Playstation 3 controller give you the shakes? According to the company, the familiar DualShock-style force-feedback was dropped from the new controller in favor of motion-sensors. However, Immersion Technologies -- which sued Sony for using its haptic tech in earlier controllers -- believes that the controller could be made to rumble, and has some ideas for Sony about how to do it. The catch: Sony needs to drop its appeal of the verdict in Immersion's 2004 lawsuit, and pay Immersion the $90 million that the judge in that case awarded the company. And, of course, Sony would have to pay Immersion for whatever technology they use in the PS3 controller. Frankly, it doesn't sound like a bad deal. By continuing to appeal the lawsuit, Sony's risking another loss and piling up legal fees, and by dropping the shock, they're left with a controller that many have called a weak attempt to copy the Wii. Working with Immersion on a haptic solution could solve both problems.

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Immersion ready to rumble with PS3 controller originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 19 May 2006 17:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>controllersdual shockdualshakedualshockimmersionplaystationps3sonywiilFri, 19 May 2006 17:14:00 EST