SAN JOSE, Calif., Jan 06, 2006 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Immersion Corporation (Nasdaq:IMMR), a leading developer and licensor of touch feedback technology, has launched a certified actuator program for its VibeTonz System. The program enables handset manufacturers to simplify and speed the selection and integration of actuators into VibeTonz-enabled mobile phones. Samsung Electro-Mechanics (009150.KS) is the first manufacturer to participate in the program with an actuator certified to the new standard.

Mobile phones with Immersion's VibeTonz System produce touch sensations to enhance the mobile communications experience, including games, ringtones, and the user interface. Actuators certified under the program help assure a quality VibeTonz experience for consumers and a choice of available, qualified actuators for handset manufacturers.

"The VibeTonz System has quickly established a new standard in the mobile phone industry for exciting touch sensations in mobile phone content and the user interface," said Mr. Kieung Hong, vice president, Samsung Electro-Mechanics' Precision Motor Team. "We identified the VibeTonz System as an important new feature for mobile phones and wanted to be able to expedite and simplify the integration process for our handset OEM customers. Immersion's VibeTonz Certified Actuator program helps us to provide this support."

The VibeTonz System exerts high-speed control over the phone's actuator, producing a broad range of touch sensations that can make phone navigation and operation more intuitive and game play more engaging and realistic. The certification program assures that approved actuators have the durability and performance characteristics to produce sensations that can be as subtle as an intuitive cue signaling that a call has been dropped and as stunning as an explosion in a mobile game.

"This program provides another way we can help our OEM customers create the best user experience possible -- by determining, in advance, actuators optimized for VibeTonz touch sensations," said John Grundy, vice president and general manager, Immersion's Mobility business group.

About Immersion (www.immersion.com)

Founded in 1993, Immersion Corporation is a recognized leader in developing, licensing, and marketing digital touch technology and products. Bringing value to markets where man-machine interaction needs to be made more compelling, safer, or productive, Immersion helps its partners broaden market reach by making the use of touch feedback as critical a user experience as sight and sound. Immersion's technology is deployed across automotive, entertainment, medical training, mobility, personal computing, and three-dimensional simulation markets. Immersion's patent portfolio includes over 500 issued or pending patents in the U.S. and other countries.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties, as well as assumptions that, if they never materialize or prove incorrect, could cause the results of Immersion Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

All statements, other than the statements of historical fact, are statements that may be deemed forward-looking statements, including any projections of earnings, revenues, or other financial matters; any statements of the plans, strategies, and objectives of management for future operations; any statements concerning the breadth of and timeline to implement force feedback technology into handset models or into content, any change in revenue that may occur from such adoption; any statements of the timeline for and acceptance and use of certified actuators by handset manufacturers, consumer response that may occur to having touch feedback in handsets or content, or consumer and market acceptance of force feedback products in general; proposed products or services; any statements regarding future economic conditions or performance; statements of belief; and any statement or assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Immersion's actual results might differ materially from those stated or implied by such forward-looking statements due to risks and uncertainties associated with Immersion's business which include, but are not limited to, delay in or failure to achieve commercial demand for Immersion's products or a delay in or failure to achieve the acceptance of force feedback as a critical user experience.

For a more detailed discussion of these factors, and other factors that could cause the Company's actual results to vary materially, interested parties should review the risk factors listed in the Company's most current Form 10-Q, which is on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements in this press release reflect the Company's beliefs and predictions as of the date of this release. The Company disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements as a result of financial, business, or any other developments occurring after the date of this release.

Immersion, the Immersion logo, and VibeTonz are trademarks of Immersion Corporation in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

SOURCE: Immersion Corporation

A&R Partners
Elizabeth Conrady, 650-762-2815
econrady@arpartners.com

Copyright ^© 2006 Business Wire. All rights reserved.

News Provided by COMTEX

Close window | Back to top