At the Android Developer Conference in San Francisco today, Immersion has released the MOTIV SDK -- bringing the ability to completely customize haptic feedback on Android devices to both OEM's and application developers. The MOTIV SDK brings hundreds of pre-designed haptic effects along with code samples that allow developers to quickly and easily give their applications an extra layer of realism through feel. Examples include things like a first person shooter giving different feedback for a pistol than it would a machine gun, to more subtle things like each string vibrating at a different frequency in a guitar app. These enhancements are available for all Android phones running Android 2.1 or higher.
Immersion says that small details like this make for better apps, and I'm thinking they are right. You can try out a demo of the available pre-built haptic feedback schemes on your own device with Immersion's UHL Effect Preview app (download link after the break), and the whole concept seems pretty ingenious. The full press release, as well as a video demo are after the break as well. [Immersion]
YouTube link for mobile viewing
Immersion Releases MOTIV™ SDK 1.0 for Android Developers
Immersion’s MOTIV™ SDK provides developers with the tools to make apps rumble with tactile feedback
SAN JOSE, Calif., March 8, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Immersion Corporation (Nasdaq:IMMR), a leading developer and licensor of touch feedback technology, today announced the release of the MOTIV™ SDK 1.0, a tool kit for Android developers to integrate tactile feedback, or haptics, into their applications. The availability of the SDK completes the recent launch of Immersion’s MOTIV Haptic Development Platform.
Available at http://developer.immersion.
Enhanced User Experience
-Apps designed with tactile feedback are more engaging and fun, and are differentiated in a crowded marketplace
-Developers can use haptics to create a more customized and realistic experience by adding the sense of touch. Examples of haptics being incorporated into apps include:
-Feeling the strings of a guitar app vibrate as the user strums the strings
-A player of a first-person shooter game feels a distinct difference in the kickback of a bazooka, versus a pistol or a laser
-Building anticipation (and pressure) through a crescendo effect as haptics sensations increase while time runs out during a timed application
-Enjoying the feeling of success as a puzzle confirms a successful move with a satisfying “snap”
-Adding a tactile effect helps a player adjust aim and provides context to improve accuracy
Easy to Use
-Library of pre-designed haptic effects directly accessible from the API means developers simply choose which explosion best matches the action in a game or what recoil the user should feel when they shoot a weapon
-The MOTIV effect preview app available on the Android Market provides a quick way for developers to experience and test effects on any Android handset
-Sample code provides the resources to easily incorporate effects into code
Ubiquitous
-Not all handsets are created equal; they utilize different underlying actuator technology and control software to create haptic feedback. The highest quality haptic experiences are found in handsets with Immersion’s TouchSense® embedded software, which is found in many of today’s Android handsets. However the MOTIV SDK is not restricted to just these handsets. The MOTIV SDK automatically optimizes haptic effects across all Android handsets to reduce code fragmentation while still providing a high quality experience for all.
-The MOTIV SDK currently supports Android 2.1 and later and is designed to be forward compatible. We intend to extend support into future Android releases.
Supported
-The MOTIV API, forum, and reference documentation are available for questions and troubleshooting
- Immersion is committed to listening to the development community as we work to continuously improve our SDK.
“We believe that haptics has the potential to fundamentally change and enhance the mobile user experience,” explains Rob Lacroix, VP of Engineering at Immersion. “The MOTIV SDK is designed to eliminate the complexities of integration and allows developers to focus on the creative process of designing compelling new touch experiences for users.”
Demonstrations
Haptic feedback is always best experienced in person. Immersion will be demonstrating applications that utilize the MOTIV SDK and will be hosting a session on designing applications with haptics at the AnDevCon conference in San Francisco on Wednesday, March 9, 2011. If you’re unable to experience MOTIV in person, download our MOTIV effect preview app or view our Virtual MOTIV Demonstrations.
To receive updates regarding our MOTIV Development Platform, please follow us on facebook, or join our mailing listMOTIVdev@immersion.com.
About Immersion (www.immersion.com)
Founded in 1993, Immersion (NASDAQ: IMMR) is the leading innovator in haptics technology; the company's touch feedback solutions deliver a more compelling sense of the digital world. Using Immersion's high-fidelity haptic systems, partners can transform user experiences with unique and customizable touch feedback effects; excite the senses in games, videos and music; restore "mechanical" feel by providing intuitive and unmistakable confirmation; improve safety by overcoming distractions while driving or performing a medical procedure; and expand usability when audio and visual feedback are ineffective. Immersion's TouchSense technology provides haptics in mobile phone, automotive, gaming, medical and consumer electronics products from world-class companies. With over 1,000 issued or pending patents in the U.S. and other countries, Immersion helps bring the digital universe to life.
Immersion, the Immersion logo, MOTIV and TouchSense are trademarks of Immersion Corporation in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Forward-looking Statements
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties, as well as assumptions that, if they never materialize or prove incorrect, could cause the results of Immersion Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.
All statements, other than the statements of historical fact, are statements that may be deemed forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the statement that we believe that haptics has the potential to fundamentally change and enhance the mobile user experience, the statement regarding forward compatibility of the MOTIV SDK and the statements regarding the benefits of the MOTIV SDK and other Immersion products.
Immersion's actual results might differ materially from those stated or implied by such forward-looking statements due to risks and uncertainties associated with Immersion's business, which include, but are not limited to, the effects of the current macroeconomic climate; delay in or failure to achieve commercial demand for the MOTIV SDK or other Immersion products, or third party products incorporating Immersion's technologies; a delay in or failure to achieve the acceptance of force feedback as a critical user experience; unanticipated difficulties and challenges encountered in product development efforts involving Immersion’s MOTIV Development Platform (including the MOTIV SDK) by Immersion and licensees; and unanticipated difficulties and challenges in updating the MOTIV SDK to reflect changes and/or updates in the Android operating system. Many of these risks and uncertainties are beyond the control of Immersion.
For a more detailed discussion of these factors, and other factors that could cause actual results to vary materially, interested parties should review the risk factors listed in Immersion's most current Form 10-Q and Form 10-K, which are on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements in this press release reflect Immersion's beliefs and predictions as of the date of this release. Immersion disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements as a result of financial, business, or any other developments occurring after the date of this release.
