Immersion, a MEX alumnus and sponsor, was launching the latest version of its haptics platform at Mobile World Congress: Motiv. The new platform makes it much easier for handset manufacturers to add haptics to Android devices by pre-integrating a palette of haptic effects with every interface action on the device. It can also be used to ‘retro-fit’ haptics to existing software and games by analysing their soundtracks and producing suitable haptic feedback in real-time.
The most impressive demo was the virtual guitar, where plucking the strings on the screen felt exactly like it would on a real instrument. A sign haptics is evolving from the basic vibration confirmations to something capable of conveying real fidelity in tactile experience.
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At last someone is using this technology that's been around for a while.
I don't know why it isn't used more often, particularly as an integral part of a phone's OS.
When it's subtlety employed, it can provide positive feedback and reinforces a UI element's affordance.
My cheap and cheerful Nokia 5230 uses it well and I miss it when I use my more expensive iPod Touch (and the iPhone). It makes the iPod feel a bit dead in comparison.