Tag: mobile technology

Forced feedback to return to mobile games

| May 5, 2013

Mobile Games - return of forced feedbackForced feedback may make mobile games more engaging

Researchers from Germany’s Hasso Plattner Institute are working to bring forced feedback to mobile games. Forced feedback refers to textile stimulation that people can experience while playing games. In the past, this was accomplished through controllers equipped with technology that would send a vibration through a gamer’s hands. In the advent of mobile games, forced feedback has lost much of its popularity, but researchers believe they can bring forced feedback back to the limelight.

Mobile games lack features of bygone generations

Forced feedback is often considered a way to foster immersion into particular games. This feature was common in the arcade era of racing games, where steering wheels would react to in-game events. Mobile games lack this feature mainly because most mobile devices are not large enough to accommodate the technology involved and the general disinterest that comes from device makers concerning how consumers experience mobile games.

Researchers envision future where forced feedback matters

Researchers from the Hasso Plattner Institute have been working on a method to recreate this experience by delivering a small electrical current through a mobile device. This current stimulates the muscles in a noticeable fashion, but is not dangerous as it complies with medical standards. Researchers are currently working on a bracelet-like system that could be connected to a mobile device, allowing gamers to experience forced feedback in the mobile games that they play.

Interactive technologies may be a better fit for current gamers

The concept of forced feedback has only received modest attention in the modern game industry. Many consumers are calling for more immersive games, but forced feedback may not be the best way to meet the needs of consumers. Augmented reality, which is already widely used in entertainment and marketing, may be a more appropriate pursuit for the gaming world as it allows for more dynamic sensory stimulus than conventional forced feedback products.

Mobile commerce continues to see explosive growth

| May 5, 2013

Mobile Commerce Explosive GrowthMobile commerce is showing no signs of slowing down

The explosive growth of mobile commerce has yet to show any signs of slowing down. Retailers and other companies are beginning to take mobile commerce very seriously, investing in this burgeoning industry and introducing new mobile shopping services to consumers. While mobile commerce has attracted a great deal of attention, many brands and retailers are still wondering how to take advantage of the aggressive growth being seen in the sector.

Critical mass of mobile consumers contributes to growth

A new report from BI Intelligence attempts to highlight the most significant reasons why mobile commerce is growing so quickly. The report suggests that one of the most prominent of these reasons is the critical mass of mobile consumers. Mobile devices are more available today than they have ever been in the past, which means that more consumers are purchasing and using such devices. The advent of mobile technology has lead to the emergence of new games and other forms of entertainment and productivity, but it has also sparked a shift in commerce.

Experimentation in marketing helps attract more consumer attention

Another factor contributing to the growth of mobile commerce is brands and retailers experimenting with mobile trends. These groups are beginning to put product catalogs and digital coupons to use in order to attract consumers to their e-commerce initiatives. These initiatives have proven somewhat popular among those with mobile devices, and many of them have demanded the ability to purchase products using these devices rather than traditional computers.

Young consumers may be a boon for mobile commerce

According to BI Intelligence, demographics are playing a big role in the growth of mobile commerce. The firm suggests that nearly 50% of those between the ages of 12 and 17 use their smartphones as their primary Internet device. These young consumers are regularly browsing the Internet and have proven themselves to be susceptible to advertisements and other marketing campaigns designed to attract them to e-commerce sites.