Haptics
”Keyboard Haptics Mod Turns Shrill PC Speaker Into Soothing Vibration
Modder and frequent terminal user Matt was getting mighty tired of his piercing PC speaker going off with every typo, so he rigged up a nifty DIY haptics setup using a Microsoft keyboard and an old cellphone vibrator triggered by the scroll lock LED. Unless you're playing Oregon Trail in your elementary school's computer lab 15 years ago, you probably haven't heard your PC speaker in a long while, but if you're frequently using the terminal (especially under Linux) for command line tasks, this is the mod for you. [CiboMahto via MAKE]
Motorola Blaze Adds Another Touch Screen Handset to the Pile
The Boy Genius Report has a first look at Motorola's answer to the "Touch Screen Wars," called the Blaze. From the looks of the branding, this touchy-feely handset is coming to Verizon, complete with a special Verizon-only operating system. BGR says the touch screen is decent, and the mobile browser is "OK," but nothing to write home about. Email and texting functionality are also lambasted by BGR, as is the crush-the-screen-to-make-it-work haptic touchscreen feedback. Specs include a 2 megapixel camera, EV-DO Rev. A support, GPS, and Bluetooth. They didn't sound too keen on the Blaze, but they didn't write it off completely. Thoughts? [Boy Genius Report]Scientists Make Bandaid-Sized Flexible Haptic Display
A team of Korean and US scientists have developed a new type of display that delivers information via your biggest organ: your skin (yes, I know what you were thinking.) Their new tactile "display" is flexible enough to be rolled up around your finger like a bandaid, and may be a useful computerized Braille aid. The device uses new precisely-arranged electroactive polymers, which expand when a voltage is applied creating gentle pressure to nearby skin. This, along with the fact it doesn't need complex electronics, means that it's the kind of tech that could easily end up in haptic-feedback data gloves or a "tele-feeling transferring system," which sounds *ahem* fascinating. [Physorg]
Could I Have a Match? Try Vibrators and Nintendo Wiimotes
Remember when it was cool to joke about how the vibrating Wii remote looked, felt and behaved pretty much like a vibrator? No? Well, too bad, because it turns out that the two were more similar than the light-hearted humor suggested. In fact, both tools of pleasure employ technology built from a patent from the same company, Immersion.More »
Haptic Feedback Implementation Coming to iPhone Courtesy of Immersion Corp?
If a Palluxo.com source is to be believed, Apple is currently in talks with Immersion Corp. regarding haptic technology implementation for the iPhone. Immersion Corp. solutions have been implemented in Samsung handsets in the past and it now looks like Apple want in on the action. The conjecture gathers weight thanks to Clent Richardson, a former Apple executive that has just been appointed as Immersion Corporation's CEO. More »Maglev Haptic Control Technology Could be Used for Microsurgery, Robot Control
Gadget Lab got a hands-on demo with a prototype magnetic levitation haptic control unit at Carnegie Mellon University, where they experienced the artifical feel (via magnets) of 3d rabbits, hard surfaces and vinyl records. In addition to simulating the general shapes of objects, the technology can accurately reproduce qualities like texture and elasticity using an interesting dual joystick set up.
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cellphones
What the Samsung Soul's Haptic OLED Touchscreen Soul Patch Is Like
The Samsung Soul tries, and largely succeeds at making a touchscreen 5 way navpad. Like the Maximus Optimus keyboard, the controller is backlit by an OLED screen (this one is a two color deal) that changes icons depending on the context: More »Haptic Phone Design Has Physical Buttons Occasionally
The iPhone may have a dynamic UI that changes to suit whatever program's currently running, but it doesn't physically change. This All in One haptics phone designed by Lukas Koh does (on paper), and creates raised buttons depending on what mode you're currently in. Example: phone mode has the dial pad, and text entry mode presumably has a keyboard. Looks great, but impossible to make. [Yanko Design]
gadgets
Novint Falcon Actually in the Wild
You knew the Novint Falcon 3D haptic joystick was finally shipping, but now we've got confirmation from customer number one, Tristan George. Tristan says he's played the Half Life 2 mod with the Falcon and "it's amazing, very fun to play." More »
gadgets
Vibrating Combat Attire
Creepy. This is some sort of vibrating haptic combat vest that will alert you to the state of your comrades in battle and might even be able to sense incoming enemies. More »
gadgets








