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

Mon Apr 28, 2008 12:02PM EDT

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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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  • 46 Posted by jmarin5049 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:37PM EDT Report Abuse

    cooool! another 600$ phone that i can waste my monney on!!!!!!

  • 48 Posted by datasmog on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:37PM EDT Report Abuse

    Push email from dot mac. Never mind all the other toys, push email is the real seller to the corporate market, and I don't want to have to use a microsoft exchange server. Push from dot mac would enhance the iPhone and the dot mac service.

  • 49 Posted by connorluva on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:29PM EDT Report Abuse

    TEE-HEE TEE -HEE TEE-HEE TEE-HEE TEE-HEE TEE-HEE TEE-HEE TEE-HEE

  • 50 Posted by christiangandersen on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:24PM EDT Report Abuse

    dont care bout tactile, 3G would rule, thicker case = more to hold = less chance to drop imo

  • 51 Posted by therobin2008 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:05PM EDT Report Abuse

    I'd accept ANY changes that would replace EDGE technology - probably the slowest on the planet...

  • 52 Posted by tchonyi666 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:57PM EDT Report Abuse

    i really dont care bout the tactile,but if they put it in, i better be able t oshut it off to save battery life. what i want in the iphone is a high res camera 5mp, flash and ofcourse video capablities, also gps would b awsome,if it got a little thicker i wouldnt care at all, i have big hands and i dont wanna drop it. better speakers would also be good, and i wanna be able to replace the battries!!! i dont have an iphone but my friend does and i make fun of him for buying the first iphone cuzz its horrible! compaired to my nokia n95. but i would buy the second gen iphone if had all the capablities of my n95... then it would be perfect!!! also ppl that feel that havign a high res camera is useless, i think they r fools because who would want to carry a phone and a camera, when u can have both in one device. i hope apple reads this, cuzz i really feel that the nokia n95 is a FAR superior phone then the iphone, all iphone has is a good ui and real internet. if u asked anyone in korea what phone they would want they would pick the n95 because it has more features! and is more powerful then the iphone!

  • 53 Posted by motomanmatt9 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:26PM EDT Report Abuse

    The case is just an aftermarket protective case, it is not part of the so called "new iphone."

  • 54 Posted by codeazrael on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:28PM EDT Report Abuse

    To those asking for a slide out keyboard......go to verizon or elsewhere! Apple is known for sleek, and sexy devices, so why put a darn keyboard on the phone when the whole thing about the iphone is the touchscreen. Plus my aluminum backing is scratched to heck perhaps because I kept it sliding around on my console in truck when driving everyday. Ive seen leaked pics of the black glossy back of the new iPhone and just think of PS3 when you imagine how it looks in terms of gloss. I like both backs actually, and I wish that someone would release ultra thin skins with apple logo cutout on back so we can just choose whatever color we want the back of our phone.

  • 55 Posted by lee_fm on Thu Sep 3, 2009 6:48PM EDT Report Abuse

    I pity my fellow iphone users. Apple CEO lies to sell his iphone. Any given day iphone cant be compared to my nokia N95-8GB and for all those users of iphone behold nokia is coming out with N96-16GB and an expandable microSD slot for another 16GB...Now you guys decide which one is the killer for iphone? some difference that I didnt go for iphone was no video, you cant send video messaging, no GPS for heaven sake no 5 megapixel camera...I cant wait to get my hands on the new nokia N96

  • 56 Posted by lee_fm on Thu Sep 3, 2009 6:48PM EDT Report Abuse

    I pity my fellow iphone users. Apple CEO lies to sell his iphone. Any given day iphone cant be compared to my nokia N95-8GB and for all those users of iphone behold nokia is coming out with N96-16GB and an expandable microSD slot for another 16GB...Now you guys decide which one is the killer for iphone? some difference that I didnt go for iphone was no video, you cant send video messaging, no GPS for heaven sake no 5 megapixel camera...I cant wait to get my hands on the new nokia N96

  • 57 Posted by italianprincessrogers78 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:25PM EDT Report Abuse

    I have had my iPhone for about 7 months, if it had GPS it would be perfect! A thickier case, NO, the phone is a perfect thickness as it is, and a gloss backing, not only would it scratch easy the finger prints on it would drive me nuts! Apple just needs to get the phone to be able to recieve photos in text messages and be able to forward text messages. That was my biggest problem when I first got the phone, now I love it and recommend it to everyone. The plans can be a little bit on the high side but it's well worth it.

  • 58 Posted by italianprincessrogers78 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:25PM EDT Report Abuse

    I have had my iPhone for about 7 months, if it had GPS it would be perfect! A thickier case, NO, the phone is a perfect thickness as it is, and a gloss backing, not only would it scratch easy the finger prints on it would drive me nuts! Apple just needs to get the phone to be able to recieve photos in text messages and be able to forward text messages. That was my biggest problem when I first got the phone, now I love it and recommend it to everyone. The plans can be a little bit on the high side but it's well worth it.

  • 59 Posted by jreezy2006 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:42PM EDT Report Abuse

    According to the Apple website, a 2.0 update will be coming next month. Some new features include: being able to open 3rd party documents (word, etc), google maps that's able to pick up your location via cell phone towers or wi-fi. With that said, I don't see the point of having GPS. Google and Mapquest are fine for me. I'd like to see a flash added to the camera b/c it takes awesome photos (but only during the day). Also, MMS capability b/c it's annoying to have to write down a code to view your pics on some website. As far as 3G...I guess it'd be cool...but come on! Do you really use the tiny screen on the iPhone that much for the web? I have a laptop that I'd rather use to see the whole website!

  • 60 Posted by lnevola on Thu Sep 3, 2009 6:55PM EDT Report Abuse

    Definitely, Infinitely, Positively , and without quivication the GPS has go with the GPS.

  • 61 Posted by bwesternagm on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:15PM EDT Report Abuse

    I love my iphone but i agree i need to have a few more things... 1. Video Capablities 2. Support flash 3. 3G will be great 4. GPS will be great 5. Voice Recognition would be perfect 6. And how can i forget louder speaker?

  • 62 Posted by skylerdennon@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:26PM EDT Report Abuse

    Definitely the iPhone needs pic/video messaging and faster web, and actual GPS would be delightful.. Would be nice to have a removable battery and audible speakers as well, but I would forgo that for upgraded messaging and faster web. This whole thing of bouncing back and forth from the web to sms [without a hot-link even!] to pick-up a multi-media message is absolutely preposterous in this day and age. I still love my iPhone though!!!

  • 63 Posted by jertam07@att.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:33PM EDT Report Abuse

    I wouldn't mind the bigger case for the GPS at all, the only problem I can predict is buying protective cases, they're not cheap. I don't know about anyone else, but it's been difficult to find a good one, therefore I've bought 3 so far. The GPS is supposed to be a part of the update in June, as well as the App store, I can't wait!!!! I do wish they came in different colors as well

  • 64 Posted by knuj43 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:52PM EDT Report Abuse

    No on the thicker case. Bing a realtor I have a portable GPS I can use in any car or take with me. I have had a GPS in a Blackberry and I don't care for it in a phone. I don't own an Iphone but I am waiting for the new G3 model to come out before I make the switsh from my Treo 700wx pile of junk!

  • 65 Posted by bma83 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:10PM EDT Report Abuse

    How about a FM radio. A simple FM radio. If the Zune can have one, why not the iphone?

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