Nokia shows off some seriously cool haptic-feedback touchscreen tech - Haptikos takes haptic feedback to a whole new level

Touchscreens. We’ve been touting them as the future of mobile tech , and Nokia is backing it full-on. The Finns have basically perfected the pressure-sensitive side of touchscreen technology in their “Haptikos” (which means “to touch”) touchscreen. Nokia’s haptic feedback touchscreen doesn’t just give you pseudo-feedback vibrations and clicks (Samsung F700, we’re looking at you ), the Haptikos system actually provides a physical “clunk” and audible “click” directly under the depressed key. Combined with 0.1mm of screen-travel, the Haptikos system delivers a real-keyboard touchscreen experience. Roope Takala, Senior Program Manager at Nokia’s research labs explains the tech: “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.” We’re looking for the upcoming S60 Touch handset to rock this new Haptikos system, and we can’t wait to get our hands (and fingers) on it - literally. Haptikos a definite step in the right direction. But, don’t be fooled into thinking that Haptikos, or any haptic feedback system that doesn’t provide static tactile feedback , will help with no-look touch-typing. While Haptikos is about as advanced as haptic touchscreens get (so far) and gives you definite feedback of a key-press, touch-typing requires an actual “feel” for the keys. Regardless, Nokia’s Haptikos is going to be the cat’s meow when it hits the market. [Via: Red Ferret ] --- Related Articles at IntoMobile:

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