Social media was recently flooded with a new product that has been developed by the company known as Boréas Technologies in the form of solid state haptic buttons for smartphones and this makes the company to set a new record. These buttons branded as the Boréas CapDrive® Haptic Buttons which offer high-definition localized tactors which would eliminate mechanical buttons in the future. This new advance is going to greatly improve the haptic interaction to the users of smart phones and create overall a more satisfying experience.
Introduction
Ever wanted your smartphone buttons to be more than a click? “Your wish is Boréas Technologies’ command” and thus they have come up with their latest invention; the solid-state haptic buttons. These buttons brings a whole new kind of interface into your hand, which are mechanical buttons kind of like gameboy but is far more efficient with the incorporation of haptic feedback.
What Exactly is A Solid State Haptic Button?
Solid-state haptic buttons are costly modifications of the classic smartphone buttons. While mechanical buttons are designed to rotate in some way, haptic buttons simply create a vibration at the exact area of the button. The aspect of this technology enables designers to be more responsive and interactive in providing services to users.
The Limitations of Mechanical Buttons
Physical buttons, especially keys, have been attached to smartphone devices from the time they were first invented. But this they come with the following disadvantages. They degenerate with time, are vulnerable to disintegration from dust and moisture, and give a narrow variety of feel. One can find the issues of mouse with current haptic buttons below: Boréas’ new haptic buttons solve these problems because the buttons are more wear resistant, and more flexible.
Pros of Boréas CapDrive® Haptic Buttons
Ultra-Low-Power Consumption
Boréas CapDrive® Haptic Buttons are light and one of their most defining characteristics is having an extremely low power consumption. They are 10 to 13 times as power-efficient as mechanical buttons, other haptic technologies, etc. This efficiency is very important for the conservation off battery charge for advanced mobile devices that require more power for the many functions to be performed.
Compact and Durable Design
These haptic buttons are rather miniature and are enclosed in a WLCSP with the dimensions of 2. 1 x 2. 5 x 0. 5 mm Nonetheless, they demonstrate great durability and are characterized by the IP68 degree of waterproofing. It means that they are immune to environmental pollutants such as dust or oil hence will last longer and would be very reliable.
Enhanced User Experience
Dynamic “Rocker” Feature
Their special feature of humans as ‘’rocker’’ gives capability of Boréas CapDrive® Haptic Buttons to have lengthwise sliders that can identify swipe, click, and taps. This feature is a localized touch feedback that makes smartphones touch and easy to use.
Zero Power Sensing (ZPS)
Another point of innovation is the Zero Power Sensing (ZPS) that maintains the power consumption level in a super low sleep mode of not more than 10 µA. This means that the chip can wake up in less than 100µs when it senses the click, while taking nothing from the battery.
Versatility of Haptic Feedback
The controlling of Boréas CapDrive® Haptic Buttons allows for the rendering of various types of sensations. For instance, they can imitate the half DNS button depression feel of a DSLR camera when the lens is focussed or imitate the standard tick-tick feel of a trackwheel mouse every time pages are scrolled through. This increases functionality and it becomes more enjoyable doing other activities in life thus increases efficiency.
Real-World Applications
The uses of these haptic buttons are numerous, as already demonstrated. Some of these buttons include power on/off, taking of photos, browsing the internet and many others, they give a richer interaction. For example, the action of taking a photo is more natural with two buttons pressed, as the camera has this kind of function.
About Boréas Technologies
Boréas Technologies Inc is a semiconductor company established in Bromont, Québec and can be defined as fabless semiconductor company. The company operates in the area of ultra-low power piezo IC solutions and has origins in the research carried out at the Harvard University. Boréas CapDrive® ICs are designed for products such as PC track pad, smart watch/fitness tracker, smartphone, gaming/smartphone, VR game controller, and IoT products.
Conclusion
Taking all these factors into consideration, it can be seen that with Boréas Technologies having initially introduced the smartphone haptic buttons, the smartphone industry has high development prospects for haptic buttons. Advanced multi-zone high-definition haptic have been incorporated in to Boréas, the company has been able to upgrade areas like mechanical button interface design beyond its prior models. Now, there are more benefits to these buttons: the low power consumption; waterproof and miniature properties; and the convenience of the final product. Thus, with such a direction, one could only distance himself with such thoughts on how this specific technology can improve the communication using smartphones in the future.
