“The University of Glasgow has unveiled an iPhone hack that provides vibration feedback when a virtual key is pressed, simulating the effect of typing on a real keyboard. The patch enables what the University calls haptic feedback, which researchers say can help improve typing speeds, while simultaneously reducing errors. The hack is available from the University’s Google Code page, requiring a jailbroken 1.1.3 iPhone,” MacNN reports.
“The current modification uses a 70-millisecond, 170Hz pulse with the built-in vibration motor to simulate pressing the key, while a 50-millisecond, 100Hz pulse imitates the key raising when the finger leaves the touch surface,” MacNN reports.
More info and link here.
Hopefully, any useful hacks will become official add-on apps soon. I still want Google Earth.
What is the battery life with this thing on?
BTW, to all “first post” people, STOP IT!
I’m waiting for the 60-millisecond, 200Hz pulse update.
Ampar, I was going to say the same thing. There must be a couple thousand iPhone app’s waiting for an SDK blessing.
Just add vibration to a Shuffle and make it insertable, Apple. My girlfriend’s been asking for one for as long as I remember.
@Jake,
“My girlfriend’s been asking for one for as long as I remember.”
What message does that statement send?
Off-topic: The online Apple Store is showing a ship date of Mar. 6 – Mar. 10 for Time Capsule.
@Jake:
Here’s the waterproof 2G iPod Shuffle:
http://www.swimman.com
Now you just have to figure out the vibrating part . . . .
MDN Magic Word: movement . . . hmmm. This thread is going downhill fast!
“@Jake,
“My girlfriend’s been asking for one for as long as I remember.”
What message does that statement send?”
hahaha, looser, his girl prefers a shuffle than him.
This sounds like a totally amazing enhancement.
But it raises a couple of questions: what it the expected duty cycle of the vibration motor, and will this overload it and thus burn it out? Probably not, plus how often do people type on the iPhone?
I’m fairly sure Apple didn’t consider this use when they specified the vibration motor, and I’m sure it will reduce the life of the vibration motor. Still sounds worth getting, assuming it doesn’t burn the thing out in a couple of months.
And, as already raised, I wonder how much this affects battery life.
Definitely worth trying tho.
@Sure –
You’re joking about how often people type on the iPhone, right? It’s not like it’s my main keyboard, but I write e-mails all the time, not to mention notes to myself when I’m on the road.
The keyboard ain’t perfect, but I like it a lot better than my old Treo, or any other phone I’ve tried (except for early versions of the Sidekick, but that phone had so many other problems it doesn’t make up for it).
13th POST!!!!
YEAH!!
doesn’t work for me, not even after a restart…
I got your vibration feedback right here.
Hey Rob…pay attention now…
15th post yippeeeeee!
What Mae West might have said today…..
Is that a phone in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?
Oh crap, I meant ….
16th….sorry Rob
I guess that’s a good reason to have a Beach Boys ringtone.
“I still want Google Earth.”
That, with the my location feature in Maps will definitely be useful.
“That, with the my location feature in Maps will definitely be useful.”
Absolutely. Too many times after a tequila binge I’ve awakened on a beach somewhere, naked, a little sore and sporting a new tattoo.
@Ampar
You party animal you
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Buster: I need to remember to take pictures. Even low res, low frame rate video on the iPhone would be fine.
24th!
Now use this vibe-feedback for games!
Guys, what is LED?