Samsung Launches Tactile Feedback Mobile Phone

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Immersion Corporation, a developer and licensor of touch feedback technology, has announced the new Samsung SCH-W559, the first touchscreen-based mobile phone to use Immersion’s VibeTonz® System to provide tactile feedback.

The SCH-W559 features a large 260,000-color QVGA LCD touchscreen display, which replaces the usual mechanical keypad. Users receive confirming tactile cues when they press graphical onscreen controls. They can select one of five feedback profiles for these cues.

Immersion’s VibeTonz System allows touchscreen-displayed buttons to feel more like mechanical keys. VibeTonz tactile feedback makes it easier to use the keypad when visibility is compromised.

The new phone is being sold by China Unicom, the third largest mobile operator in the world. The device works on both CDMA and GSM networks, and includes handwriting recognition, Bluetooth technology, 1.3 megapixel camera, and audio and video playback functions.

The VibeTonz system provides full-fidelity vibration tracks synchronized with eight preloaded ringtones.