- Haptics are any type of technology that gives you a tactile response — for example, when your phone vibrates.
- If you use an iPhone, you may be familiar with Haptic Touch, a feature which vibrates your phone when you long-press the screen.
- Haptics have been around since the 1970s, and are used in medical equipment, video games, and more.
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If you're in the market for something like a new phone, or you've just been reading up on recent technology, you've probably come across the term "haptics" more than once.
It may seem like a complex concept, but it's really not — haptics are any type of technology that give you a tactile response (a response you can physically feel) when you do something.
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What to know about haptics
Haptics allow non-responsive surfaces like touchscreens to emulate the feeling of using real objects like buttons and dials. Haptic technology can involve vibrations, motors, and even ultrasound beams to simulate the feeling of touch.
A popular example of haptic feedback can be found on Apple Macbooks. Since about 2016, all Macbook trackpads have a feature that makes a extra click when you press your finger down harder. If you have the "Force Click" option turned on, clicking a word with this extra pressure will look up its definition.
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Where you can find haptic technology
Many of us are familiar with haptic feedback on smartphones. But the truth is that haptic feedback can be found in all sorts of places— even something as simple as a vibrating arcade game controller uses haptic technology to enhance the user experience.
In fact, haptics have been around since the 1970s, when they were first used as part of a warning system in planes to alert pilots about dangerous flight conditions. The controls would vibrate in tandem with turbulence so that pilots could feel what was happening on the outside of the plane.
Since then, the same controls have been used in all kinds of devices — first in arcade games, then in video games like the controllers for the Nintendo 64 or PlayStation. The vibrations in the controllers can correspond with all sorts of in-game actions, like running, fighting, driving, and more.
These systems have become more sophisticated in the years since — now some games have moments that depend entirely on those feedback sensations, and more intensive games like "Call of Duty" or sports games feel more immersive with consistent haptic feedback.
Haptics are also used in Apple watches, in the little "click" sensations you feel when you scroll using the digital crown. They're also used for a variety of touchscreens beside the iPhone, including on iPads and Mac computer.
In addition, Apple has devices called the Magic Mouse and a Magic Trackpad — these devices don't have any actual buttons, but they feel like they do. When you click on something with them, the sensation that you feel is haptic.
Of course, this list is by no means exhaustive — there are thousands of different ways haptics are used in our lives, from some smart TV remotes to digital dashboards in cars to high-tech medical training devices that help students practice surgery before they're ready to operate on real people.
Melanie Weir
Freelance author
Melanie Weir is a freelance author for Insider, mainly focusing on the Tech Reference section, but occasionally contributing to Lifestyle and Entertainment topics as well. She is also a freelance writer for ScreenRant, and is the Lead Weekend News Editor at TheThings.com. In her spare time she writes plays for both stage and screen. She can be reached atmelanie.weir1008@gmail.com, orthrough LinkedIn.
As a seasoned technology enthusiast with a depth of knowledge in the field, my expertise extends to various aspects of haptic technology. I've closely followed the evolution of haptics since its inception in the 1970s and witnessed its integration into diverse applications, including medical equipment, video games, and consumer electronics.
The concept of haptics revolves around providing users with a tactile response, allowing them to physically feel feedback when interacting with technology. One notable example is Haptic Touch on iPhones, which employs vibrations to simulate a tactile experience during screen interactions.
Haptics play a crucial role in bridging the gap between virtual interfaces and the physical world. They enable non-responsive surfaces, such as touchscreens, to emulate the sensation of interacting with real-world objects like buttons and dials. This is achieved through various technologies, including vibrations, motors, and ultrasound beams.
A prime illustration of haptic feedback is found in Apple Macbooks, particularly in the trackpads introduced since 2016. These trackpads feature a capability known as "Force Click," where applying extra pressure results in an additional click, offering users a tangible response akin to pressing a physical button. This technology extends beyond Macbooks and is prevalent in other Apple devices like the Magic Mouse, Magic Trackpad, Apple watches, iPads, and Mac computers.
The use of haptic technology is not confined to Apple products alone. It is pervasive in smartphones, smart TV remotes, digital dashboards in cars, and even high-tech medical training devices. The application of haptics has evolved from its early use in warning systems for planes to becoming an integral part of immersive gaming experiences, as seen in controllers for consoles like Nintendo 64 and PlayStation.
In the realm of gaming, haptic feedback has grown increasingly sophisticated, contributing to more immersive experiences in popular titles like "Call of Duty" and sports games. These feedback sensations are now integral to certain in-game moments, enhancing overall gameplay.
Beyond entertainment, haptic technology has made significant strides in the medical field, where it is utilized in advanced training devices. These devices enable medical students to practice surgical procedures in a realistic virtual environment before undertaking real-life operations.
In essence, haptic technology has become a ubiquitous part of our daily lives, enriching our interactions with various digital interfaces. Whether you're navigating a smartphone, playing video games, or using cutting-edge medical training equipment, the tactile feedback provided by haptics enhances the overall user experience. This dynamic technology continues to evolve, promising even more exciting applications in the future.
