Surfing the Web Haptically

Chakat sent us a story about Haptic feedback, a buzzword ready technology where the mouse provides tactile feedback in addition to letting you click on your porn. Seriously I would love a bit of feedback when my mouse moves over a button or a link: Sorta like how modern window managers can snap borders to edges of other windows or the screen when moving or resizing... I think that a similar tactile thing for buttons would ease mouse navigation. Or else I can just continue binding ridiculous things like Ctrl-Alt-Shift-Meta-F8 to every little action.

Comments

Haptic Porn

[Dolly_Llama]

I work for a company (albeit in a very junior position) which is big into Haptic IP, liscencing technology and such. We do all kinds of neat stuff with haptics, but porn has always been the big inside joke, yuk-yuk, can't wait til we get our liscencing agreement with RealDoll...yuk-yuk.

In all seriousness, what's the big deal? Porn's is big business, and it's good money. Just because we could make money off of it doesn't mean we become nasty porn mongers. I mean, look how much money people like Marriot, run by the friggin mormons, makes off of pay per view porn. Doesn't make them a porn company.

I really think we need to develop this market. Maybe then my options could be worth something...

Good for blind people

[simetra]

This would probably be great for reading braille webpages. Otherwise, it sounds annoying.

Maybe you wouldn't love it if you tried

[Anonymous Coward]

I would love a bit of feedback when my mouse moves over a button or a link

I view my mouse movements as a plane taking off and landing at my destination. I don't want to feel bumps for each tree I fly over, I want a smooth ride, and maybe one bump when I land, but how can a haptic device know where I want to land? Better to forget about the whole idea.

What ever happend to "VR"?

[chrisserwin]

So this is touch; we've had sound for a good while, and of course sight. Throw in aromatherapy and you've got the whole experience. I seem to recall that about 6 years ago the hot topic was the "3D Virtual Reality" interface, but nothing really came of that. Fundamentally, I don't think these technologies make the computer more productive as a work device - on the contrary, they tend to get in the way. Is there anybody out there that does productive computing that actually uses systems sounds beyond the basic "bell"?

Personally, I prefer fluid motion - I don't want an interface to get in the way. This doesn't mean that I don't think this technology could have an application in the computer as an entertainment device, but I'll believe it when I see it. For my 3D-sense-enabled experiences, I prefer going for a walk.

logitech iFeel mouse? just a gimmick?

[mkbz]

this is something i'd been contemplating for a while, then i saw the logitech iFeel mouse. i wanted to try one in an everyday/productivity environment, but all i could find was their cheezy store display that made the mouse 'buzz' when you scrolled over a dot.

my goal is to find an other-than-visual feedback mechanism for everyday UI controls; i.e. being able to locate/confirm buttons, menu items, without relying soley on visual input to do so.

the goal is simple: to get faster. i already use the Finder sounds on my MacOS machine, the audible feedback allows me to already be retraining my visual focus on the next task position even before i click to complete the current one - i know to click when i hear the blip. it allows you to lead with your eyes; you spend less time pondering the next task.

audio, however, is not the most convenient feedback mechanism. in noisy office environments you either have to wear headphones and be in a cocoon, or turn your speakers up, and the constant bleeps will probably annoy your cubicle neighbors enough that they plot some sort of revenge.

so, does anyone own one of the logitechs? pity it's such a simple/flat mouse, i don't think the company has really explored this as a productivity enhancing tool, so it would seem that this one is the litmus test to see if the market embraces it or dismisses it as a novelty.

*shrug*

[uebernewby]

is what you'll most likely do should you come accross the only piece of equipment in existence today that actually uses this technology: the force feedback mouse. If you haven't tried it: it vibrates if you place the mousepointer on something that can be clicked. If you run into the edge of a window, it, well, also vibrates.

hardly the most exciting "user experience".

somehow, I don't see them get from "vibrate" to "within 10 years, shoppers will be able to "feel" a piece of silk or other fabric simply by rubbing their finger over a computer screen" (article). if we're supposed to be able to mimic "the feel of silk" in ten years, right now we should've been able to "feel the shape of a woman's tits", i should think. and i'm pretty sure the porn industry would've picked up on this if it were possible.

i wouldn't expect this technology to come into existence within the next ten years if i were you. nor twenty or thirty.

Classic "Grass is Greener"

[mshomphe]

Again, making the virtual world more like the real world. Anyone remember the Simpsons' episode where Marge could get the kids to do yard work, but as soon as they saw the yard work simulator they wanted to do that?