14 DAY TRIAL // An Apple employee is said to have "leaked" information to Palluxo, regarding the company's meeting up twice with Immersion Corporation, to discuss implementing Immersion's technology into the iPhone. Immersion's latest goal is the implementation of haptic feedback into touchscreen devices.
Basically, what Immersion is providing Apple with is a technology that they've patented for vibration response. iPhone users don't feel anything other than the flat surface of the iPhone's screen when they're typing a text message or browsing the web in Safari. Immersion's technology will allow iPhone users to actually feel that they've pressed a so-called button on the touchscreen.
As such, Palluxo claims that Immersion execs met not once, but twice, with Apple high-ups last week to discuss integrating their tech into the Apple iPhone. "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 licensing and implementation issues of iPhone haptics," the website reveals.
Neither Apple nor Immersion were available for comments on the newly surfaced information.
Immersion Corporation has integrated various vibration technologies of their own in dozens of devices, most notably in Nokia's cell phones. However, it has had a few close encounters with video game console manufacturers Nintendo and Sony. The latter has even had some trouble with Immersion over the vibration functionality of the PlayStation 2 controller, the DualShock2.
Immersion also provides haptics technology for simulation products. The company is probably best known for developing the rumble technology found in joysticks and gamepads.
On Thursday, it was announced that former Apple executive, Clent Richardson, was, starting from then on, the President and CEO of Immersion. Richardson replaced Vic Viegas, who remained Immersion's chairman. Richardson worked at Apple as Vice President of Worldwide Developer Relations.