LeTV founder and CEO Jia Yueting presents their product during LeTV's smartphone launch in Beijing. (Photo : www.knowledge.ckgsb.edu.cn)
Chinese video streaming company LeTV has partnered with Immersion Corporation, a U.S.-based haptic technology solution provider, to bring 4D videos to smartphones, the Beijing Times reported.
Haptic is based on the concept of using various types of vibrations to give the user a more interactive experience.
John Pattern, general-manager of Immersion Corporation, confirmed the partnership deal with LeTV, which will enable haptics to be matched up with entertainment. Through the 4D technology, users can experience and feel what they are seeing on screen.
"We did do a deal with LeTV, where we allow haptics to be matched up to the entertainment you are watching. In that LeTV deal they have a 4D app and if you go into the 4D category and you can watch the newest James Bond trailer, for the specter movie, you can watch Expendables 3, you can watch Hotel Transylvania 2 and other trailers. And as part of that every experience, if a bomb goes off your whole phone shakes, if a gun shoots you can feel it. Feel and touch as a part of that experience and we are seeing that drive engagement and positive user experience," Pattern explained.
The report said that Immersion Corporation's partnership with LeTV is the latest collaboration it has made with a Chinese firm.
According to the report, Immersion Corporation had previously released a haptic technology special version of the popular mobile game Fruit Ninja in China, and it has already launched several deals that branched out to several Chinese companies.
Pattern also discussed Immersion Corporation's relationship with China, as he expected China to be one of the industry leaders in the new technology. He said that the company has also entered into deals with Xiaomi, Huawei and Meizu, and they have taken their handsets and had them equipped with haptics.
The Immersion manager said that although haptics may look like another gimmick used to enhance theater productions, it is also a very innovative lifestyle tool and its uses go beyond Hollywood movies.
Pattern added that Immersion Corporation aims to bring haptics in interaction with many digital devices since it can create ways for the device to interact with users through a distinctive notification, through experience, and help create a deeper emotional connection.
"Through technology, you can give the user the sense that what the user is doing in the digital world is more real. There are all sorts of ways that haptics can, you name the application, boost what they are looking to do with the mobile phone or tablet," Pattern remarked.
The report said that although the partnership between Immersion and LeTV is still young, the two have already produced some impressive movie trailers, which is the start of what this technology can do.
Immersion said that haptics technology will not affect the operating speed of a smartphone or tablet device and will only be using minimum energy of the mobile battery.
