More 3G iPhone rumors: Tactile feedback, thicker case?

Mon Apr 28, 2008 12:02PM EDT

See Comments (78)

The Apple rumor mill continues to hum, this time with word that the iPhone might (finally) be getting tactile feedback for its touchscreen. Also: GPS, and a thicker case with a black, glossy back cover?

Palluxo is reporting that execs for Immersion, the company that brings the "rumble" to Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 controllers and vibrating "tactile" feedback to cell phones, is in talks with Apple about licensing its technology for the iPhone.

Of course, one of the biggest complaints about the iPhone is that its touchscreen interface doesn't "buzz" when you tap the virtual keys. I've tried several phones with Immersion's "VibeTonz" technology before, and the effect (which can also be used for games, music, alerts, and so on) is pretty uncanny.

Now, what's interesting about Immersion's technology is that it's essentially just software that controls a phone's "vibration actuator"—which, of course, the iPhone already has. That means that a simple software update could bring tactile feedback to existing iPhones. And here's another tantalizing detail: Immersion's new CEO used to be an Apple executive.

That's all just rumor, though—and here's another rumor while we're at it: Engadget's spies say that the new, 3G iPhone will not only come with GPS, but will also have a slightly thicker case and a new, black glossy backing.

Hmmm...GPS is nice, but not if it means a thicker iPhone (or at least, that's my take). Even more worrisome is word of the glossy backing, which might be more prone to scratches than the brushed aluminum backing on my 8GB iPhone, which (after 10 months of heavy use) has yet to suffer a serious scratch. Why fix what ain't broken?

What do you think—ready for haptic feedback on the iPhone? And if you had to pick, would you rather have GPS on your iPhone, or a thinner handset?

Related:
LEAKED: Apple to Licence Haptic Technology for iPhone [Palluxo]
The second-gen iPhone: 3G, GPS, only slightly thicker [Engadget]

Comments on More 3G iPhone rumors: Tactile feedback, thicker case?

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  • 26 Posted by ericmmabee on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:55PM EDT Report Abuse

    3rd party stuff will be out after the June SDK and all, and you can already get FREE ring tones. Not crappy ones, you can make them yourself. Why buy it off of iTunes... Haven't you been using: http://audiko.net/ The iPhone rocks. Remember this vibrating this is just an extra not a feature that makes it better. You will loose battery life by having that built in. If you are not LAME you can use Google Maps, it is already on there. Everyone that would bash this phone is jealous because any feature they tell me is not on there, they are wrong.

  • 27 Posted by schwinnjon on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:08PM EDT Report Abuse

    well the iphone with black glossy back is just a rumor and was proved to be by engadgets own "spy team." here is the link. http://gizmodo.com/384356/glossy-black-iphone-3g-is-just-a-third+party-case I am not going to be too picky about the new iphone as long as it has flash, 3g, mms (picture texts),GPS, and copy and paste would be very nice......

  • 28 Posted by sturocks on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:46PM EDT Report Abuse

    Why not a built in Laser Projection unit from Microvision. It provides a DVD quality projection as large as 60" always in focus. http://www.microvision.com/

  • 29 Posted by willpearsonsb on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:47PM EDT Report Abuse

    Gps good! Glossy black bad! They need to add video and zoom to the camera too! Let's not forget the flash player incompatibility. They've got some work to do...

  • 30 Posted by dnvrguy001 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:45PM EDT Report Abuse

    I bought mine on opening day. I lost it for a day and freaked. GPS is coming and I'll go for it. Don't make it too thick. Wait and do it right. Slim is in your face to blackberry, motorola and MSN. Apple is #1 for company image for a reason. Just for being themselves. Just the energy in their store beats Starbucks. GO in, shut up and just feel it. Your in line with the universe and you know it. NO words.

  • 31 Posted by crimlawyer on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:31PM EDT Report Abuse

    I just want someone to send me a picture to my phone muber and I get it!!!!!!

  • 32 Posted by keithrobinson44 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:49PM EDT Report Abuse

    Yes all of those above, but add RF, and a true SD slot, or maybe multi sd slot down the side, and bluetooth headset that works on calls and music this tme.

  • 33 Posted by thiengluangrath on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:06PM EDT Report Abuse

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  • 34 Posted by du_puy on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:50PM EDT Report Abuse

    Yes on the GPS, I would actually prefer a slightly thicker case. I don't really care about the color of the case although "glossy black" is a little scary for scratches. As long as it has 3G, I am in though.

  • 35 Posted by ryancgreenwood on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:57PM EDT Report Abuse

    Wow! GPS interaction. If the current iPhone didn't already have it, that would be news!

  • 36 Posted by golfnrfshn on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:11PM EDT Report Abuse

    how bout sending and recieving a photo???

  • 37 Posted by slr12330 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:28PM EDT Report Abuse

    I was wondering if the new iPhones were going to come out with picture text messaging? I know its a small thing but I miss sending picture texts and receiving them and not having to go on the internet to retrieve them! Anyone know?

  • 38 Posted by ron.childs on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:49PM EDT Report Abuse

    3G and GPS is a must in a slimmer package, better SMS Function is a must with MMS being almost critical, I can't tell you how many friends want to send me a photo or video and they are stunned that I can not receive them properly, yuk! I don't care about the tactile feel but it might be cool : ) who wants a Black IPhone? it would have to be more prone to scratching. just get us some cool apps out... also, wouldn't it be cool to write on the screen like an old palm?

  • 39 Posted by keithrobinson44 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:49PM EDT Report Abuse

    I have both a real iphone and the clone P168 from china,the P168 offers a SD slot and 2 slots for phone chips, camera with zoom, video plus bluetooth, and 2 spear batteries, just a thought apple, the clone has it all for a clone. I love my Iphone, but only if it had the same option as cheaper P168.

  • 40 Posted by mconstable1 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:13PM EDT Report Abuse

    The iphone is by far the best phone on the market. With the new 2.0 software coming out in June it's only going to get better. If they added a better camera, currently it's a 2 mega-pixel, something in the range of 4 to 5 mega-pixels would make this phone a true digital camera and phone in one. Also GPS would be nice but it would definitely depend on how much thicker it would increase the phone. As far as scratches to the back or front surfaces, I bought a case for the phone an it protects the back surface 100%. As for the front surface I've left the siclicone sheet over the interface so the actual screen has never even been touch. When the sheet does peel off I will cover it again to protect the surface.

  • 41 Posted by ja0920 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:26PM EDT Report Abuse

    GPS WOULD BE GREAT. A THICKER CASE IS OK ALSO. IF IT'S TO THIN I CAN'T HOLD ONTO IT. I ALSO WANT TO BE ABLE TO SEND PICTURE MESSAGES

  • 42 Posted by jdubclark25 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:31PM EDT Report Abuse

    Luv the iPhone. I use it as my business phone (Sales). It does need some software for biz apps though. Treo was a p.o.s. but it had good features such as a search. I could type in a person's name (partial), area code, company, or whatever and get results based on info in the phone. Many times I'd be at functions and see people I knew but couldn't remember their name (bad trait for a sales guy) so I'd type in their company and see all my contacts from that company. iPhone defintatley needs MMS support! I'm hoping with the opening of the SDK we'll see a lot more apps. Copy/Paste would be HUGE too.

  • 43 Posted by kewlethan on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:50PM EDT Report Abuse

    .. not sure on the buzz thing.. seems like a waste of juice especially considering 3G (battery hog) and possibly GPS. they may not have a choice but to make it a little thicker. 3G and GPS both require dedicated hardware. and the added bandwidth will probably require a faster processor. i'm curious whether or not heat will be an issue.. all in all i think they can only make an already elite phone even better..

  • 44 Posted by pina225 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:12PM EDT Report Abuse

    I have a black case that I bought at the apple store for the iphone and it looks really slick. I could deal with the thicker case if the trade of was GPS on my phone. The upgrade I am hoping for is a "FLASH" for the camera!!!! The iphone takes incredible pictures during the day, but its rendered usless at night. MAKE IT HAPPEN APPLE!!!!

  • 45 Posted by msmontag on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:29PM EDT Report Abuse

    I use my GPS at least daily. It's why I bought a Blackberry instead of an iPhone. As for the black case- it WILL scratch and that's the point. You'll have to buy a new one sooner. Or a protective case, which of course, will be extra.

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