February 25, 2005
New Cell Phones Will Reach Out and Slap Someone
Samsung will release a mobile phone next month that tickle the person you talk to or basically slap them across the face, according to Live Science.
This is a catchy way of describing haptics technology which enable a phone to vibrate - but describing it this way is a bit unfortunate, when the UK has reported several incidents of a new craze called "Happy Slapping", where teenagers randomly slap a stranger riding public transportation, while a nearby friend takes a picture with a camera phone.
"The touchy-feely technology, reported by New Scientist magazine, is rooted in games that vibrate. In the phones, "vibrotactile" motors will literally reach out and touch that special someone, thanks to a technology,called haptics.
The most widespread use of haptics so far is in video gaming, in the vibrating game pads and force-feedback steering wheels that accompany Sony's PlayStation 2 and Microsoft's Xbox., according to New Scientist. Read also the Hindustan Times.
Related technology, sort of:
-- SMS with feeling - BT has developed new technology that takes mobile messaging to a new level where "actual emotions can be conveyed between family and friends in a physical and tactile way". (2003)
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