Gizmodo: tactile feedback

My Touch Keys Brings Tactile Feedback to iPhone

Haroon Malik — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 05:45:02 EDT

My Touch Keys is a simple idea; a thin sheet of plastic with holes where each key appears is mounted onto the iPhone's screen. When the keyboard is used, you can "feel" each key as you press, thanks to the slight depression the My Touch Keys sheet offers. Though this isn't exactly a new concept, it is the first time it has been commercially made available, and we think it may be a worthwhile investment for some. Watching a movie with the plastic film attached will probably annoy you to no end, but if you can't quite get to grips with the whole touchscreen thing, there are probably worse ways to squander $8. Additionally, the guys at My Touch Keys are running a BOGOF promotion, meaning you can grab yours for $4, just as long as you have someone to go halvsies with. [Product Page via OhGizmo]

Nokia's Haptikos Technology Makes Physical Keyboards Obsolete, Hopefully

Haroon Malik — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 05:10:00 EST

Nokia has been working on a very promising technology, called Haptikos, and it is now coming to fruition after 10 years in the making. The new technology promises a true tactile response for touchscreen text input methods. Though basic vibration methods are currently in place to provide a form of haptic response, Nokia's efforts will literally relay the sensation and sound of a physical keyboard click—right beneath your finger. The Senior Program Manager at Nokia's research lab, Roope Takala, explained how the engineers were able to accomplish the seemingly impossible:

"The basic technology is not that difficult...we inserted two small piezo sensor pads under the screen and engineered in a 0.1mm movement in the screen itself. What's taken the time has been fine tuning the movement and response to mimic exactly the sensation of pressing a real key."

As mentioned, the new system needs fine tuning to get everything spot on, but the guys over at Red Ferret gave it a try as it stands currently. Here's what they said:

"...it was hard to remember that you were using a touchscreen keyboard."

That assertion makes our hairs stand on end. If true, the implications are seriously vast. The Nokia's new S60 platform shall benefit from the technology, but it is unknown when the new build will appear. We wait patiently, with our legs crossed and our hearts longing. Oh Nokia, will thou teach the torches to burn bright? We hope so. [Red Ferret]

Better Shots of the Pantech Double LCD Touchpad Phone

Jason Chen — Fri, 11 May 2007 14:20:26 EDT

Remember the Pantech IM-R200 double LCD phone with touchscreen keys? You know, the one that gives you tactile feedback on the touchscreen so you can actually see what's going on? AVING hassome nicer pictures of the screen, showing off various styles of keypads that you can change to.

We're hoping there's more than just keypad styles on the touchscreen—maybe some kinda QWERTY or something—but we do see that it looks different when a call is in effect. Head over to check out more pics.

Bonus shot after the jump.

– Jason Chen

Sky announces 'IM-R200' adopting OLED touch keypad [AVING]