Slashdot Mirror


Haptics Technology Turns Phones into Weapons

SlashRating© 17 slashdottit! tm SkinnyGuy writes "Virtually all of our phones have little motors that make vibration possible. Now there's a company working on taking the abilities of these mini motors much, much further. Touch-Bak's technology allows for users to send 'virtual punches' and jabs, and can send phones flying from the hands of users if they're unaware of the service. It's all a bit on the extreme side and, to his credit, the PCMag.com author recognizes that, but it's still a fascinating application of the little understood Haptics technology. '"Imagine," Galsworthy continued, "that you know your buddy Kyle is in an important meeting and you know that he keeps his phone in his pocket. You can deliver a digital punch right to his thigh. He jumps out of his seat during the meeting and . . . it's hilarious!" Galsworthy was so tickled by this description of events that he was lost in fits of laughter on the other side of the phone. To me, this service is childish and, well, kind of stupid.'"

83 of 115 comments (clear)

  1. phone-fu by Shadow_mil · · Score: 5, Funny

    Don't mess with me... I know phone-fu 8)

    --
    https://www.accountkiller.com/removal-requested
    1. Re:phone-fu by saskboy · · Score: 2, Funny

      Go ahead and attack, I'll block your call!

      --
      Saskboy's blog is good. 9 out of 10 dentists agree.
    2. Re:phone-fu by wdnsdy · · Score: 1

      The ridiculous thing about all this for me is that I've been waiting for something like this on gamepads and joysticks. I want to feel recoil and impacts instead of that strange vibration which doesn't really match what goes on in-game. Head-on collision in GTA -> 1 second vibration... wtf? Needless to say I currently don't use the feature on existing controllers.

    3. Re:phone-fu by Yaotzin · · Score: 1

      I'm in ur phone, punching your thigh!

      --
      Error: No error occurred
    4. Re:phone-fu by UnderDark · · Score: 1

      Do not try and fight the phone, that is impossible; instead, try and realize the truth...there is no phone.

    5. Re:phone-fu by FernandoBR · · Score: 1

      In Soviet Russia, the phone knows *You*-fu!

      --
      -x- Sorry my bad English. I'll have him tarred and feathered. -x-
  2. April Fools? by malevolentjelly · · Score: 1

    Although this seems feasible for the retarded realm of consumer technologies, the fated day of fools grows nigh.

    Wait... I just remembered Crazy Frog topping the charts in Europe.

    Yes... this could very well be real.

    1. Re:April Fools? by fatduck · · Score: 1, Offtopic

      Given that there is apparently no website for this company, and the PCMag article links to a .jpg advertisement, and the service itself seems completely implausible, I'd say it's clearly an April Fool's joke.

      --
      Making you think you're crazy is a billion dollar industry.
    2. Re:April Fools? by Sensible+Clod · · Score: 1

      Never mind the fact that mobile phone software does not have this kind of access to the vibe motor. It can turn the motor on and off, but cannot change the speed of the motor in order to produce the effects described.

      --

      The difference between spam and poop is that you don't have to dig through septic tanks looking for real food. -- Me
    3. Re:April Fools? by AO · · Score: 1

      Umm...the first thing I checked was the date of the article...sure enough, it's dated 04.01.07 (look right under the headline). I guess I won't be using my last mod point :)

    4. Re:April Fools? by Exocrist · · Score: 2, Funny

      That's what they want you to think!

    5. Re:April Fools? by dewie · · Score: 1

      Really? You think this bizarre and hugely implausible story might be an April Fools joke? On this day of all days? On this website? At this latitude? Entirely localised within the Hardware topic?

      Unpossible.

      --
      Jurisprudence Fetishist Gets Off On A Technicality --theonion.com
    6. Re:April Fools? by pjay_dml · · Score: 1

      Never mind the photoshoped image of the author...
      Never mind the date of publication...

    7. Re:April Fools? by billgates · · Score: 1

      4th January 2007?

  3. Raging Success by aussie_a · · Score: 5, Funny

    To me, this service is childish and, well, kind of stupid.

    Thus making it a raging success with teenagers and Americans.
    1. Re:Raging Success by Stewie241 · · Score: 1

      hmmmm... I've never noticed in all my travels that the Americas had a monopoly on teenagers?

    2. Re:Raging Success by bogjobber · · Score: 1

      I don't know what country you're from, but on the chance you are Canadian, European, or from down under, I offer this bit of evidence.

      You now can refrain from any and all attempts to ridicule Americans, lest you recoil in horror at the reminder that your country sent a dancing, irritating, anthropomorphic frog singing a mashup of the Beverly Hills Cop theme, a cheesy eurotrash dance beat, and some guy making moped sounds to the top of the charts. Shame on you all.

    3. Re:Raging Success by aussie_a · · Score: 2, Funny

      It must be hard trying to work out what nationality I am. If only I had it in my name or something.

  4. it's april 1st somewhere by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

    no comment

  5. Stupid... by gweihir · · Score: 1

    So now I am going to pay for technology that enables my phone to stab me in the back? No thanks. Seems to me these people habe way too much time on their hands!

    Maybe somebody should load their phones with a little explosive and have some FUN! That would be truely innovative! Oh, wait, the Israelis already did that....

    --
    Most ACs are not even worth the keystrokes to insult them. Be generically insulted by this and ignored otherwise.
    1. Re:Stupid... by evil+agent · · Score: 2, Funny

      sigh, can somebody get this guy a cell phone immediately? Oh, and let me know what the number is.

      --
      End transmission.
    2. Re:Stupid... by DeadChobi · · Score: 1

      Speak for yourself. I, for one, welcome our new cell phone motor overlords!

      --
      SRSLY.
    3. Re:Stupid... by Keiseth · · Score: 1

      You just had to, huh?

    4. Re:Stupid... by Khaed · · Score: 1

      If you're not kidding and playing around, I have some coastal land in Indiana for a real good price...

    5. Re:Stupid... by ozmanjusri · · Score: 1
      In Soviet Russia, YOU punch numbers into your phone.

      No, wait...

      --
      "I've got more toys than Teruhisa Kitahara."
    6. Re:Stupid... by xs650 · · Score: 1

      Do you think he would notice....even if it were real?

      Well written article, I was a few paragraphs in before I realized what day it was.

    7. Re:Stupid... by Khaed · · Score: 1

      "In Soviet Russia, phone punches you!"

      I think.

    8. Re:Stupid... by PPH · · Score: 1

      So now I am going to pay for technology that enables my phone to stab me in the back?


      That enhancement was actually available March 15th. Go to www.et2.com for more info.

      --
      Have gnu, will travel.
  6. First April Fools Story? by echostorm · · Score: 3, Insightful

    I'm willing to bet this is the beginning of a VERY long day.

    1. Re:First April Fools Story? by Sancho · · Score: 3, Insightful

      The editors clearly think that it is funny. That's kinda sad. My April 1st is always "Day Without Slashdot Day" brought to you by the Department of Redundancy Department. Guess I should have stopped earlier on the 31st.

    2. Re:First April Fools Story? by Dunbal · · Score: 1

      the Department of Redundancy Department

            Funny I always thought of it as the ADRDA - American Department of Redundancy Department of America.

      --
      Seven puppies were harmed during the making of this post.
    3. Re:First April Fools Story? by mstahl · · Score: 1

      I'm so sorry that you missed the ponies then. . . .

    4. Re:First April Fools Story? by suv4x4 · · Score: 1

      The editors clearly think that it is funny. That's kinda sad. My April 1st is always "Day Without Slashdot Day" brought to you by the Department of Redundancy Department.

      You know, how about taking the next step and making your year "year without slashdot year". Making a decent news site today isn't that hard. If Slashdot's editor aren't mature enough to handle such a basic, maybe we should try to make it on our own.

      I got the domain and I'm halfway through coding it :P /not mentioning the name as it'll look like a plug/

    5. Re:First April Fools Story? by mgabrys_sf · · Score: 1

      Be glad it's on a Sunday when weekend postings are low.

      April fools 2007? PWNED!

    6. Re:First April Fools Story? by 4D6963 · · Score: 1

      Weirdly enough I saw this article in Firehose on Friday (the 30th).

      --
      You just got troll'd!
  7. Bullshit by Wuhao · · Score: 5, Insightful

    You know how I know it's an April Fools post? Because if it were real, cell phone companies would charge you $10 a month to opt out of it. They'd call it something like "TotalRingControl(TM)" and initially they'd let people send these messages for free to annoy the shit out of every right-thinking businessperson who 1) depends on their phone, and 2) has the $10 to burn. Then, 3 months later, they'd switch it to $2 a telepunch without telling you, and charge another $.50 just to receive one.

    1. Re:Bullshit by ezratrumpet · · Score: 1

      Don't forget that it would also be completely integrated with Windows but utterly incompatible with Linux, OS X, or even WinXP.

    2. Re:Bullshit by musiholic · · Score: 1

      Careful, the cell companies might sue you for violating their business patents on how to screw customers...

      --
      One Can Never Own Enough Musical Instruments...
    3. Re:Bullshit by Wuhao · · Score: 1

      I believe the title is "Method and Apparatus for Increasing Customer Value by Redefining Value As Something No-one Hithertofore Would Consider Valuable," and Microsoft paid a kingly sum to license it under the name "Genuine Advantage."

    4. Re:Bullshit by arodland · · Score: 1

      Wuhao is obviously working for the Penguin Mafia with ideas like these!

  8. first of many, i'm sure by Dun+Malg · · Score: 1

    Ah, yes. A phone that rabbit-punches you. Very droll. The humor makes me roll on the floor, laughing.

    --
    If a job's not worth doing, it's not worth doing right.
    1. Re:first of many, i'm sure by gardyloo · · Score: 1

      Next year it'll be a donkey-punch. We'll see who's joking about ponies THEN.

  9. this will end well... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    FTFA: To me, this service is childish and, well, kind of stupid

    People lately have been abuzz about license-plate social-networking services on the highways, where you dial up a number, enter their plate and get connected to their listed cell number. A childish, stupid and ill-thought out concept. 1 wrong...This article describes is a service which can knock the phone out of someones hand using the motor in the phone itself...an annoying, childish and stupid idea (but mildly amusing). 2 wrongs...

    So what if the person you are behind on the highway is yakking away in the fast-lane going 10mph under the speed limit...can't you use the License Plate service to send the SMS message to knock the phone out of their hand and...

    OOPS! You dropped your cell-phone in your latte!

    2 wrongs can make a right

  10. Re:Great for by rdforsyth · · Score: 1

    That's a great made-for-porn scenario! I think I'd name it 'Mobile Jizz, Wedding Edition'

    --
    Ryan
  11. One step closer to... by Mr+EdgEy · · Score: 1

    Becoming rich and famous after inventing a device that allows you to punch people in the face over the Internet!

    1. Re:One step closer to... by RedElf · · Score: 1

      Congratulations, you were successfully chosen as the first test candidate for our new invention, the Internet Idiot Face Smash Master 3000 (TM)! Testing will commence immediately!

      --
      You know, I have one simple request. And that is to have sharks with frickin' laser beams attached to their heads!
  12. Teledildonics by ocelotbob · · Score: 5, Funny

    Yeah, version one of this technology sucks. But just wait until version two comes out and brings a whole new meaning to the term phone sex. (Yes, I know what day this is ;3)

    --

    Marxism is the opiate of dumbasses

    1. Re:Teledildonics by Kelson · · Score: 1

      Anyone seen the show Coupling? (The original UK version, not the watered-down show they tried to do here in the US.) A scene comes to mind in which Jeff meets a woman he once tried to ask out over the phone, but her ex showed up while he was on the phone with her, and they started getting... shall we say, frisky. The exchange went something like this:

      "I don't think anyone had ever phoned me before"

      "Well, I'm sure lots of blokes..."

      "No, I mean no one had phoned me before."

    2. Re:Teledildonics by Archades54 · · Score: 1

      what happens if someonehack's the bluetooth and punchs the lass's teeth out with it?
      Haxing Teledildonic Horror Stores!

      --
      If your neighbours roof is flying past your window, you know it's cyclone season.
  13. Childish, stupid. by chris_mahan · · Score: 1

    > "To me, this service is childish and, well, kind of stupid.'"

    Well, YouTube was childish and kind of stupid, and then it was worth $1.6 billion.

    --

    "Piter, too, is dead."

  14. the aprilfools tag by Devil's+BSD · · Score: 3, Insightful

    I really think this tag should be removed for today. It really takes the fun out of things...

    --
    I'm the Devil the Windows users warned you about.
    1. Re:the aprilfools tag by songbo · · Score: 1

      Agreed totally. I was fooled for a while, until I saw the tag. But it's an intriguing idea. Imagine giving your friend a punch until he picks up the phone...

      --
      There are 10 kinds of people in the world - those that know binary, and those that don't.
  15. It's still March in my timezone by Charles+Dodgeson · · Score: 1

    It still being March in my timezone, I had to get most of the way through the first page of TFA to catch this.

    --
    Prime numbers are exactly what Alan Greenspan says they are -S. Minsky
    1. Re:It's still March in my timezone by Dunbal · · Score: 1

      I had to get most of the way through the first page of TFA to catch this.

            Nope. I'm not falling for it Charles. There's no way in hell you read TFA...

            Heh, he thinks he can catch me out that easily... I'll show HIM April Fools...

      --
      Seven puppies were harmed during the making of this post.
  16. Happy April Fools' Day! by Urgo · · Score: 5, Informative

    For a 'full' list of April Fools Web Site Jokes today check out: http://aprilfools.urgo.org/2007.html

    52 sites linked up so far and growing.

    --
    Belive in Technology and AMAZE yourself. -- RIP ZDTV/TechTV
  17. Bill is worse by Tablizer · · Score: 1

    The phone bill itself packs a pretty good punch that often surpasses anything physical.

  18. Remote Strangulation Protocol by shadowspar · · Score: 2, Funny

    Larry Wall once said:

    The social dynamics of the net are a direct consequence of the fact that nobody has yet developed a Remote Strangulation Protocol.

    I'm glad to know that somebody is now hard at work trying to remedy that deficiency.

    --

    There is a spellbook here; eat it? [ynq]

    1. Re:Remote Strangulation Protocol by RedElf · · Score: 1

      Shh! They haven't discovered that feature in the spacecraft they stole from us in Roswell, back in '47.

      --
      You know, I have one simple request. And that is to have sharks with frickin' laser beams attached to their heads!
  19. Thinkgeek by Kryptonian+Jor-El · · Score: 1

    Sure, mod me off-topic, but in the spirit of slashdot april fools, you all have to check out www.thinkgeek.com , they have a pretty good page up. Hell, they just started shipping iPhones!

    --
    All your 09 F9 11 02 9D 74 E3 5B D8 41 56 C5 63 56 88 C0 are belong to us
  20. Re:Haptics 1.2 by bendodge · · Score: 1

    Most people don't know that there's a motor in virtually every mouse ever made. They were put in there for future haptic-response initiatives from Microsoft and its third-party application partners, but have yet to be put to good use--until now. I sent you a message. I'd call that a tip-off. There are no motors in my mice; I've taken them apart before. Also, the writers thumbnail pic has Ulanoff with black eyes and missing a tooth!
    --
    The government can't save you.
  21. Re:Great for by iminplaya · · Score: 1

    BAM!

    Was that the battery exploding?

    --
    What?
  22. Tagging by cyberbob2351 · · Score: 1

    Someone disable tagging!

    April fools is no fun is everyone sees the damn aprilfools tag!

    --
    for sale
    I'm a self-modifying sig virus
  23. Stupid piece of technology that will never work by V+aloo · · Score: 2, Funny

    Whoever thought of this idea is an idiot. This will never work to any degree.

  24. Re:Great for by hobo+sapiens · · Score: 1

    wow...it's good you got a break from the trailer park to type your post. Was mom on Jerry Springer or Judge Judy recently?

    Oh, and are you still sporting the mullet?

    --
    blah blah blah
  25. Re:Dont forget about by chris_mahan · · Score: 1

    speaking of, lemme ctrl-t

    --

    "Piter, too, is dead."

  26. Shhhh! by TheSHAD0W · · Score: 1

    Ontday ivegay emthey ideashey!

  27. Re:Great for by rdforsyth · · Score: 1

    Wow, tough crowd. My bad for trying to pull off a joke.

    --
    Ryan
  28. Ripal Uno by harves · · Score: 1

    Instead, TouchBak chose Ripal Uno LLC for its Mo-Tac service.

    Ripal => April
    Uno => One
    Very cute.
  29. For the clue definicient by DynaSoar · · Score: 1

    Your free clue is on page 2. The company "Ripal Uno".

    --
    "I may be synthetic, but I'm not stupid." -- Bishop 341-B
  30. Telemarketing by genner · · Score: 1

    This tech would be a dream come true if you could get telemarketers to use it.

    NO! NO I am not interested in saveing money on my car insurance. WHAP!

  31. Re:Great for by hobo+sapiens · · Score: 1

    Just messing with you, nothing more. I guess that was harsh.

    --
    blah blah blah
  32. Re:OMG, where are the ponies?!?! by blantonl · · Score: 1

    OMG won't someone please think of of the cellspacings!

    --
    Lindsay Blanton
    RadioReference.com
  33. Get up, get up and DANCE by Satertek · · Score: 1

    One step closer to the device that stabs people over the internet :)

  34. Half-hpur too early by frdmfghtr · · Score: 1

    This was posted on the 31st...should have waited that extra half hour.

    --
    Government's idea of a balanced budget: take money from the right pocket to balance...oh who am I kidding?
    1. Re:Half-hpur too early by Trejkaz · · Score: 1

      The previous article did it too. People are jumping the gun this year. Just goes to show that April Fools' Day really runs for 48 hours.

      --
      Karma: It's all a bunch of tree-huggin' hippy crap!
  35. all set now by slugstone · · Score: 1

    Now, if I can only get the wireless extention cord I will be set. :-)

  36. Next step in Slashdot's Evolution by Kelson · · Score: 1

    The ability to send an electrical shock to the author of any Slashdot comment by modding the post down as Troll or Flamebait.

  37. Re:Great for by RedElf · · Score: 1

    Beam me up Scotty, now beam down my pants...

    Que more treky jokes!

    --
    You know, I have one simple request. And that is to have sharks with frickin' laser beams attached to their heads!
  38. Why isn't... by RyuuzakiTetsuya · · Score: 2

    this from the Naomi Campbell department?

    --
    Non impediti ratione cogitationus.
  39. I bet... by StarfishOne · · Score: 2, Funny

    There are people on this world who would love to see this... to spice up their phone sex!

  40. I hope this one's real...theft deterrent/recovery by Phuque+P.+Gianee · · Score: 2, Interesting

    The last part makes me think April Fool's, but it might be nice to be able to have a passerby use their phone to send a zap during/after a robbery...

  41. the funny thing is by johosaphats · · Score: 1

    apparently, yahoo must have thought this was real...they posted the article three days early: http://news.yahoo.com/s/zd/20070330/tc_zd/204277

  42. Development Funded by ... by PPH · · Score: 3, Funny

    ... Naomi Campbell and Rusell Crowe.

    --
    Have gnu, will travel.