SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Immersion Corporation (NASDAQ:IMMR), the leading developer and licensor of touch feedback technology, today announced the industry’s first dual-haptic design in a tablet. Acer used Immersion’s TouchSense® Core to control two actuators (vibration motors), in its recently announced Predator 8 GT-810 gaming tablet to increase its capacity for tactile versatility and vibrant touch effects with realistic texture, rhythm, and quality.
In addition, using Immersion’s TouchSense® Engage for Mobile Games to design a game specifically for Predator 8 GT-810, Gameloft will release an updated version of “Asphalt 8,” as the first Android mobile game programmed with directional tactile effects. “Asphalt 8” taps into the two actuators in Predator 8 to provide a visceral and thrilling experience with effects such as racetrack textures, separate but synchronized engine rumble, compound explosion effects, and simultaneous left and right action.
To maximize the effect quality in Predator 8 GT-810 gaming tablets, Acer licensed TouchSense Core for Tablets, a comprehensive solution from Immersion for the use of haptic technology in digital devices. TouchSense Core and TouchSense Engage work together to cohesively play haptics across the ecosystem, each enabling a different layer of the digital experience. TouchSense Core controls the device’s API and driver, and TouchSense Engage activates and plays tactile effects in mobile applications. TouchSense technology adds heightened realism, richer experiences, and more effective interactive design to digital devices.
“In gaming and entertainment, haptic feedback is a major contributor to users’ level of engagement,” said ST Liew, president of Smart Products Business Group, Acer Inc. “Our powerful Predator 8 tablet with Predator TacSense, thanks to Immersion’s touch technology, takes portable gaming to a new level of fun and immersion through realistic haptic feedback.”
Additionally, the Acer EZ Note app on the Predator 8 will be one of the first applications launched with a dual-haptic experience. The four writing utensils and eraser in the notebook tool each feature distinctive tactile textures, with the strength of the effects varying based on the width of each utensil and/or speed. In both the landscape or portrait mode, a seamless switch between the two motors provides consistency from one side of the notebook to the other, creating an experience similar to writing on real paper.
“Through our work with Acer and Gameloft, we are showcasing the potential for haptics throughout the mobile ecosystem,” said Mahesh Sundaram, vice president of worldwide OEM sales at Immersion. “When tactile effects are designed and implemented in an integrated manner across mobile devices and content offerings, consumers are able to enjoy an extra dimension of engagement. Using Immersion’s advanced TouchSense technology, Acer and Gameloft are leading the charge to bring high-quality, innovative touch experiences to an increasingly interactive and engaging digital world.”
Immersion licenses technology solutions for haptic design and integration to device manufacturers and content creators. The company’s portfolio of technology includes haptic software and design, integration tools, reference guides and UX design services and support, as well as intellectual property rights based on its comprehensive patent portfolio. Immersion’s TouchSense offerings make it possible to create high quality, power-efficient, tactile effects in digital devices and experiences. For more information on TouchSense visit www.touchsense.com/technology.
About Immersion (www.immersion.com)
Founded in 1993, Immersion (NASDAQ: IMMR) is the leading innovator in haptic 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 and videos; restore "mechanical" feel by providing intuitive and unmistakable confirmation; may improve safety by reducing distractions while driving; provide realistic touch feedback when performing robotic medical procedures and training simulations; and expand usability when audio and visual feedback are ineffective. Immersion's technology has been adopted in 3 billion digital devices, and provides haptics in mobile phone, automotive, gaming, medical, and consumer electronics products from world-class companies. With over 2,000 issued or pending patents in the U.S., China and other countries, Immersion helps bring the digital universe to life. Learn more at www.immersion.com or www.touchsense.com.
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 statements regarding Acer products, statement regarding Gameloft’s products, the use of Immersion’s TouchSense technology by Acer or other device manufacturers, the use of Immersion’s TouchSense technology by Gameloft or other mobile video game developers, and the use of TouchSense software in portable computers, and mobile video game applications.
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: unanticipated difficulties and challenges encountered in product development efforts (including with respect to TouchSense Technology) by Immersion and its licensees; unanticipated difficulties and challenges encountered in implementation efforts by Immersion’s licensees; adverse outcomes in any future intellectual property-related litigation and the costs related thereto; the effects of the current macroeconomic climate; delay in or failure to achieve commercial demand for Immersion's products or third party products incorporating Immersion's technologies; and a delay in or failure to achieve the acceptance of touch feedback as a critical user experience. 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-K and Form 10-Q, both of 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.
The use of the word “partner” in this press release does not mean a legal partner.
Immersion, the Immersion logo, and TouchSense, are trademarks of Immersion Corporation in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
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