Android Gets Haptic Effects in Apps via Immersion's MOTIV SDK 1.0

Today, Immersion Corporation a developer and licensor of touch feedback technology, announced the release of their MOTIV SDK 1.0, a tool aimed at offering developers the possibility to add tactile feedback, or haptics, into their applications built for Google's Android operating system.

Recently, the company launched its MOTIV Haptic Development Platform, and the new SDK is meant to complete that release.

Through the MOTIV SDK, developers can access hundreds of pre-designed haptic effects, along with a series of code samples, as well as resources that would enable them easily incorporate tactile feedback in their software.

Some of the main benefits of the new MOTIV SDK 1.0 include:

- 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.
- 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

Among the haptics that can be included into apps, we can count distinct difference in the kickback of a bazooka in a shooter game, feeling the strings of a guitar app vibrate, and more.

Handset with Immersion's TouchSense embedded software would offer increased haptic response, the company announced, adding that the MOTIV SDK is not restricted to these mobile phones only.

The MOTIV SDK offers support for Android 2.1 and later platform versions, and was meant to provide compatibility with newer releases of the Android OS as well.

“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.”

Among the tools developers can use to easily add haptics to their mobile applications, Immersion offers the Universal Haptic Layer (UHL) and the MOTIV Studio, available for download from Softpedia as well, here and here, respectively.