[IxDA Discuss] Tog on the iPhone keyboard

[Petteri Hiisilä]

>> the user is
>> given just enough of a nudge to indicate to the brain that the
>> keypress was successful.

I hope we see these in action. Have they tried tiny electric shocks  
that would transmit themselves through the touch screen? :---)

>>
> See also the research on modeling the haptic illusion of different
> shapes and types of surfaces using different vibration profiles.

The Mighty Mouse has a tracking ball that doesn't really have haptic  
feedback. But there's a clicking speaker inside the mouse that  
creates an _illusion_ that the ball had some mechanics that respond  
in a more physical way. This sound is absent when the mouse is  
disconnected.

The sound-based illusion of haptic feedback is surprisingly real. It  
actually feels like the ball had some kind of mechanic clicker behind  
it when I roll it. But since it's not mechanic, the tiny ball moves  
absolutely smoothly. Except when it gets dirty, which it sometimes  
does, unfortunately.

The squeeze-action side buttons work the same way. But there the  
illusion doesn't work quite as well as with the ball.

Best,
Petteri

--
  Petteri Hiisilä
  Senior Interaction Designer
  iXDesign / +358505050123 /
  petteri.hiisila at ixdesign.fi

  "Simple is better than complex.
   Complex is better than complicated."
   - Tim Peters