iPhone Haptic Keyboard Prototype debuts
For quite some time, people have been asking for a haptic keyboard on the iPhone -- a way to produce tactile feedback when a user taps or hovers over a key. If you've used the Wii, you'll know exactly what I'm talking about. It's that sensory feedback that confirms you've selected a wiibutton. This morning TUAW reader zebrum sent in a tip that a couple of University of Glasgow students (Malcolm Hall and Eve Hoggan) had built a prototype.
I gave it a try and while I applaud the students for their effort, it's not exactly ready for prime time. It's a proof of concept, not a general-use mod. You test it out in a simple text editor. You can't for example, enable this for Safari. Moreover, it's pretty darned unstable. Sometimes it crashes. Sometimes the vibration keeps going until you quit the program, re-launch and get it to stop by tapping a key.
What's cool about this app? It shows a neat new way of thinking about iPhone interaction -- even if that way is going to pay havoc on batteries if actually implemented -- and to use a helpful technology that's available on other devices. This kind of feedback uniquely highlights where keys start and end. Run your finger along the keyboard and receive instant tactile feedback (obviously in addition to the letter popups) when your selection changes.
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For quite some time, people have been asking for a haptic keyboard on the iPhone -- a way to produce tactile feedback when a user taps or...
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Cool application I am definately gonna watch this one..
March 04 2008 at 2:18 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI loaded it. Got bored with it within 5 minutes. I'm sure Apple will buy them out and make it a part of the phone. Who cares. I think I just farted--yes, confirmed. I just farted.
February 28 2008 at 11:02 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyAfter trying this, I have to say I really don't see the point. This doesn't seem useful in any kind of way. It simply vibrates when I push on a button. The only thing that'll do is injure your hands if you type too much due to the constant vibrations.
February 27 2008 at 8:33 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyBut this makes the iPhone like the Voyager... grrr...
February 26 2008 at 11:48 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyConsidering that almost all of the third-party iPhone apps are really just proofs of concept, it seems to criticize this one for being nothing more as well.
February 26 2008 at 1:16 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyWhy doesn't someone work on updating the thing so you can compose text messages in the landscape orientation?
February 26 2008 at 1:11 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Replyok, so i might have missunderstood that.
I thought that it uses the normal vibration motor, which would let the whole phone vibrate. Just vibrating parts of the screen sounds like a very cool idea, but i ask myself how this should be possible.
My english skills don't seem to be good enough to understand it the way they explain it on their website.
Hm... but you don't really feel WHICH button you pushed, right? Just that you pushed a button? That's pretty useless, even if they make it better
February 26 2008 at 11:59 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyThe Verizon Voyage has this feature built in already. That was the only thing I really liked about the phone, however.
February 26 2008 at 11:59 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyCaterpillar App has this feature for the dialer and i love it.. i hope this is developed more.
February 26 2008 at 11:23 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyHot Apps on TUAW
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TUAW (or The Unofficial Apple Weblog) is a website devoted to tips, reviews, news, analysis and opinion on everything Apple.
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