JonathanSparks Apps

Vibraille is an exploration intothepossibilities of adding haptic feedback back into themobileexperience. It is a mobile application that translatesletters fromtext messages into their corresponding braillepatterns. Thesepatterns are in turn translated into vibrationsusing the mobilephone's built in vibration motor.For each letter, users scan the 2 by 3 grid on screen withtheirfinger, triggering vibration whenever they scroll over a cellthatcontains a braille bump. This gives them a quick mental imageofthe pattern and thus the current character in the text.Doubletapping the bottom right of the screen advances to thenextcharacter. Double tapping the bottom left returns to thepreviouscharacter. Both functions produce a sustained buzz toindicate thechange has occurred.Messages are organized by the mobile number associated witheachtext message, starting with the most recent received. Userscanadvance through the mobile numbers by swiping down withtwofingers. Swiping right with two fingers loads themessageitself.Using this kind of haptic feedback could allow those withvisualimpairments an alternative to a speech only interface withmobilephones.