Apple wins patent for improved haptic feedback

By Ed Sutherland on Feb 19, 2013

The use of haptic feedback in smartphones is increasingly commonplace, however until now Apple has shied away from using the technology in its multitouch devices, such as the iPhone and iPad. However, the prospect is now open for a multitouch keyboard that provides consumers a tactile response, according to an Apple patent grant by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Apple first applied a filing for the invention back in 2009 to solve the problem of multiple haptic signals interfering with each other, thereby confusing users. Apple outlined a way to localize the haptic feedback by using secondary sensors which cancel-out the confusing signals. In this way, when an iPhone owner hits the ‘L’ key, he won’t also receive a vibration under the ‘K’ key of a virtual keyboard… Read More

 

Apple researching new haptic feedback technology

By Cody Lee on Sep 8, 2012

Just hours before Apple unveiled its third-generation iPad this year, a report came out suggesting that the tablet could feature some sort of new haptic “touch-feedback” display.

Obviously, the story never materialized. But as it turns out, Apple is looking into it. The company has had over 4 patents published this year on haptics, including this one… Read More

 

Apple still working on haptic feedback for iOS devices

By Cody Lee on May 3, 2012

Remember the last-minute rumor that Apple was going to integrate Senseg’s haptic feedback into its third-generation iPad? The theory, which surfaced just hours before Apple’s iPad event, never materialized. But that doesn’t mean it won’t happen.

9to5Mac points to a new patent application from the Cupertino company, discovered by PatentlyApple, regarding haptic feedback. The filing covers a technology that is described as a “wildly intelligent multi-tiered haptics system…” Read More

 

Rumor: New haptic feedback touchscreen bound for the iPad 3

By Jeff Benjamin on Mar 7, 2012

Is this the real secret of the iPad 3 invite? According to a report by The Next Web’s Matthew Panzarino, Apple could be cooking up something incredible for the iPad 3.

That incredible secret — one that has ironically been sitting under everyone’s nose the entire time — is a special touch feedback technology that was first revealed where? Yep, Cupertino, California.

Panzarino reasons that while the currently existing haptic feedback technology employed by Android products and the like are pretty uninspiring, this new technology could permanently change how we expect to interact with touch screen devices… Read More