Apple iPhone 6 Rumored To Feature New Haptic Feedback Technology

Apple Inc.’s (NASDAQ:AAPL) upcoming iPhone model, presumably called the iPhone 6, is expected to feature a new technology designed to provide unique feedback to users' fingers depending on the function of the device that is being used at the time, according to a new report.

The iPhone 6 could sport a tactile feedback functionality, also called haptic feedback, which would be powered by a linear oscillating motor, a unit found in the iPhone 4S, GforGames reported, citing Laoyaoba, a Chinese technology news website.

According to the report, special algorithms can help the motor produce vibrations at different levels of intensity. For example, the motor will produce “soft” vibrations when the user taps on a specific area of the screen, and generate more intense vibrations when applications such as games are active, Apple Insider reported.

Although the Laoyaoba report provided very little information about the feature, it mentioned that the sophisticated motors are being made by AAC Technologies Holdings Inc (HKG:2018), a Hong Kong-listed supplier of microphones and mini-speakers to Apple, and Jinlong Electrical. The report also said that the motors would cost Apple nearly two to three times the price of similar components found on the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c.

However, the iPhone 5s features a rotating mass vibrator, which produces more motion and is louder than a linear oscillating motor, according to Apple Insider.

The rumor of the haptic feedback technology for the iPhone 6 is not farfetched. In 2009, Apple filed a patent that explained the idea of using multiple synchronized motors to produce haptic feedback to the screen. Apple also reportedly said at the time that not having such a technology is a drawback for the iPhone’s multi-touch screen.

Meanwhile, rumors are rife that Apple could release the iPhone 6 sometime in mid-September. The device is also expected to be available in two screen sizes.