Comments on: Apple patents point to haptics, fingerprints, RFID

Three just-published patent applications hint at the company's future plans. But it could be a while before we see any of the functionality built into iPhones or other Apple devices.

[cp256]

And no doubt the patent apps are overly broad and will be granted so that apple can stifle technological innovation. Hooray for the House of the Captive Audience!

Fair disclosure, I despise M$ too. Have a Happy Friday.

[ballmerisanape]

The haptic feedback patent, if approved, would bring the iPhone (and possibly other Apple devices) in line with rival handsets, which already provide localized tactile feedback in, for example, an onscreen soft keyboard"

Kind of an odd statement since none of Apple's competitors offer devices with haptic feedback. If you are referring to the localized feedback you get when pressing a physical button... your wording is a little misleading.

[monkeyfun14]

There are touchscreen phones that vibrate when a button is pressed.

I used one before to make a call but i'm not sure of the name.

[ballmerisanape]

Monkeyfun14,

Does the entire screen vibrate.. or does it just vibrate under the finger that's touching the screen? I'm pretty sure the author is referring to the latter. Sounds like it would be an interesting sensation.... if/when the iPhone can do this... i bet there will be a few interesting apps available as a result.

[monkeyfun14]

It would be interesting how they would do this. It sounds like it would be impossible or might eventually cause the screen to crack from stress after a while.

The whole phone vibrates im not sure if you can isolate a vibration to such a small area though im sure some law of physics comes to play.

[ballmerisanape]

Maybe a top layer made from a material that changes shape slightly when a small current/ or current change is applied. Seems possible... but pricey. There are definitely materials ou9t there that have "memory" and will change/resume their original shape when small electric currents are applied to them. Embedding an isolated web of this material on a screen that overlays the position of each virtual key.. or just in a grid on the display may achieve this.... hummm.

[CrashPad63]

There are LG's and HTC's that have haptic already. 2 years ahead of this "innovative" thinking by Apple. Jeesh research much people.

[elllroy]

as always bad reporting by cnet. is it really so hard to do some basic research?

"...if approved, would bring the iPhone (and possibly other Apple devices) in line with rival handsets ..."
that's wrong as apple is applying for a different concept than the haptic feedback that is used in devices by other manufacturers. the haptic feedback you get today lets more or less the whole screen give you a feedback thus you cannot differentiate where excatly your finger has touched without looking at the screen. besides from telling you that your touch was recognized this is a pretty useless feedback mechanism.

apple's "enhanced haptic feedback" gives you a feedback only and exactly at the place where your finger has touched/or is supposed to touch thus creating a virtual button you can actually feel without having to look at the screen. THAT's the idea behind apple's approach. and no CrashPad63, LG's and HTC's are not 2 years ahead. their haptic feedback is just a useless gimmick, not a thought hrough concept that ads real additional usability.

[elllroy]

here is some information about nokia and apple exploring the technology:
http://www.intomobile.com/2008/11/13/nokia-preparing-touchscreen-handset-with-true-haptic-feedback.html

[SeizeCTRL]

then you do not understand what haptic feedback is... Samsung has offered it for sometime now. Then again, the BlackBerry Storm use of pressing the screen down with a slight vibration is also another way of doing it.

of course, with a name like ballmerisanape, you are probably a die hard apple fanboy and it doesn't matter if any other company has had haptic feedback out for years, you will still proclaim that Apple invented the technology...

[elllroy]

@sizectrl

the storm is not using haptic feedback. have a look at the numerous reviews.
one example here: http://www.tomsguide.com/us/Blackberry-Storm-touch-screen,review-1146.html

and again: nokia and apple are exploring a concept called "true haptic feedback" which provides temporary virtual buttons. the haptic feedback deployed by the likes of samsung, lg and others today has nothing to do with it and is a useless gimmick.

and yes, if apple beats nokia to market, they will have invented it.

but go on trolling and leave us your useless comments.

[CreativeMalcolm]

The HTC magic will vibrate when keys are pressed. It's pretty cool I think I still prefer the clicking sound on my iPhone as it kind of made my fingers tickle.

[jandler]

if you would like to have additional information on how these comp are looking to achieve localized haptic feedback, you check out a similiar patent application by nokia in 2008. A few diagram and a decent summary is also present.

http://www.intomobile.com/2008/07/09/new-nokia-patent-application-gives-insight-in-to-haptic-feedback-technology-more-details-on-haptikos.html

[jandler]

Another patent app here from apple with a different approach

http://www.intomobile.com/2007/10/25/apple-patent-filed-for-tactile-touchscreen-raised-indented-keys.html

[seven7dust]

haptic feedback is lame
I've used it before , nothing really useful IMO !
the fingerprint patent OTOH seems more interesting

[Someone-else]

Haptic feedback is great, IMO. It'd take me some time to get used to a phone without it.