TouchSense Engage enables the authoring, distribution and playback of video and advertisements ‘Enhanced with Tactile Effects’
SAN JOSE, Calif. – Immersion Corporation (NASDAQ:IMMR), the leading developer and licensor of touch feedback technology, announced that the company has launched TouchSense® Engage, its groundbreaking software solution for enhancing mobile video with tactile effects. Creating a multi-sensory, immersive entertainment experience, TouchSense Engage enables video content creators and advertisers to add a limitless range of touch sensations, from the gentle rumbling of a car motor in a driving scene to the powerful swoosh of a helicopter propeller, to mobile entertainment and advertising content.
“Haptics adds a layer of creativity and engagement that draws the viewer into the content. When the effects are realistically matched to the visual and audio element it captures what the viewer is feeling at that moment; enhancing the emotional aspect of the content”
“Haptics adds a layer of creativity and engagement that draws the viewer into the content. When the effects are realistically matched to the visual and audio element it captures what the viewer is feeling at that moment; enhancing the emotional aspect of the content,” said Jason Patton, general manager and vice president of Immersion’s Content & Media business. “Immersion’s TouchSense Engage enables the addition of this creative element and the deployment of tactile video entertainment and ads across the mobile application ecosystem.”
In conjunction with this announcement, SHOWTIME has launched the first ever haptically-enabled ad trailer, using Immersion’s software technology, for its award winning drama series, HOMELAND, available now in the SHOWTIME ANYTIME Android app.
The trend of second screen viewing is evolving, and mobile and tablet devices are becoming more of a primary source for enjoying video content. This unlocks the opportunity for content creators and advertisers to adopt emerging technology innovations from the mobile industry to create a new experience for consumers.
User studies have established that consumers respond favorably to the tactile video experience – participants rate the quality of the experience higher and express a greater intent to share the content with friends and family. Additionally, users test well for brand recall and completed views of the ad or video trailer.
As a part of this launch, Immersion has partnered with Slate magazine to enable ads ‘Enhanced with Tactile Effects’ to run on Slate Magazine’s Android app. “This innovative capability creates the opportunity for advertisers to take advantage of the engagement and value that touch uniquely brings to this mobile video experience. We’re excited to be able to offer this experience to our advertisers,” said Anthony DeMaio, vice president sales, associate publisher at Slate.
The TouchSense Engage™ solution offers software tools for video content producers, applications developers and advertisers to incorporate tactile technology into the mobile experience, including:
- Creation: Immersion provides authoring tools that are compatible with industry standard audio and video editing environments to allow for the design and creation of a haptic file for the piece of content.
- Distribution: The haptic file is packaged for distribution via existing terrestrial and cloud based video distribution models.
- Playback: The TouchSense Engage software development kit (SDK) is easily integrated into applications and content networks. The SDK enables the application to decode the haptic file and synchronize the tactile effects with the audio/visual content for playback.
Tactile video and tactile ads created by TouchSense Engage are currently available only on Android-based devices. To learn more about tactile enhanced video and advertising visit: http://www.immersion.com/content/
About Immersion (www.immersion.com)
Founded in 1993, Immersion (NASDAQ: IMMR) is the leading innovator in haptics, or tactile effects; 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, videos and music; restore “mechanical” feel by providing intuitive and unmistakable confirmation; improve safety by overcoming distractions while driving or performing a medical procedure; and expand usability when audio and visual feedback are ineffective. Immersion’s TouchSense technology provides haptics in mobile device, automotive, gaming, medical and consumer electronics products from world-class companies. With over 1,700 issued or pending patents in the U.S., China and other countries, Immersion helps bring the digital universe to life. Hear what we have to say at blog.immersion.com.
