A source (Apple Inc employee), who chose to remain anonymous, told us that senior executives of the two companies have already met once on Tuesday and the next meeting has been scheduled for Friday morning. The source confirmed that the executives will continue discussions over licencing and implementation issues of iPhone haptics.

Apple’s competitor Nokia - whose upcoming phone is likely to be called Tube 5800 - has also licenced haptic technology from Immersion Corporation that will enable it to incorporate a wide range of tactile feedback in it cellphones. Haptic technology refers to technology which interfaces the user via the sense of touch by applying forces, vibrations and/or motions to the user, but it should not to be confused with touch or tactile sensors that measure the pressure or force exerted by the user to the interface.

Apple’s on-screen keyboard has a major drawback as it lacks “haptic response.” In other words, users cannot feel the keys as there is no pressure back on the finger when a virtual key is released. Haptic technology allows users to use a touchscreen and receive feedback like they are pressing on real buttons through vibration technology.

Immersion Corporation develops haptic technologies that engage the sense of touch in the digital world for communicating, driving, designing, training, or just for fun.

Source:palluxo.com