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WirelessDevNet.com Press Release
Immersion's Touch Sensations Debut in Samsung Mobile Phone and in Downloadable Content from Verizon
SAN JOSE, Calif.--April 25, 2005--Immersion Corporation (Nasdaq:IMMR), a leading developer and licensor of touch feedback technology, today announced that the wireless industry's first VibeTonz-enabled mobile phone for the U.S. market, and VibeTonz-enhanced downloadable ringtones and games, are now available from Verizon Wireless (NYSE:VZ). Samsung (SOUTH KOREA:005930.KS), Immersion's first licensee of the VibeTonz System, manufactured the phone, the SCH-n330. The VibeTonz System, designed to be implemented on any mobile wireless technology platform, provides a full range of vibrations to enliven mobile phone content such as games and ringtones and various user interface features.
"The introduction of the VibeTonz System is something like the introduction of camera phones in that it adds value in a place customers weren't expecting," said Freda Benlamlih, director of consulting, Informa Telecoms & Media Group, formerly ARC Group. "I believe the VibeTonz System can add a great deal of value for users in navigating and operating an ever broadening set of features. It also provides an element of fun and personalization that users are increasingly valuing in their mobile devices. This development opens avenues for generating additional revenue from enhanced ringtones, games, and messaging."
"Verizon Wireless's introduction of the Samsung SCH-n330, combined with downloadable VibeTonz-enhanced content, represents our first complete wireless ecosystem," said John Grundy, vice president, Immersion's Mobility business group. "The phone has the VibeTonz Mobile Player embedded in the handset, a QUALCOMM TRUE BREW(R) Tested VibeTonz extension that enables commerce over-the-air, and VibeTonz-enabled content from prominent aftermarket content providers MIDIRingTones, Pulse Interactive, and Indiagames available through Verizon's Get it Now service. Using the VibeTonz System, handset manufacturers, operators, and content developers around the globe can increase their revenue and enhance their new and existing content and services on any wireless platform."
"The n330, with its touch sensation technology, introduces a new dimension for games, ringtones, and the user interface," said Peter Skarzynski, senior vice president, Samsung. "Full fidelity touch sensations are new in mobile phones, and Samsung is pleased to be the first wireless manufacturer to bring the innovative features of the VibeTonz System to market."
Downloadable VibeTonz-enhanced Content
Games
Pulse Interactive, a publisher and developer of mobile games worldwide, was the first to license Immersion's VibeTonz Studio SDK to add engaging touch sensations to its most popular mobile games. Samsung SCH-n330 users can purchase and download these enhanced games through the Get It Now service.
"Thanks to Immersion, our top three games -- Snake Mayhem, City Auto, and Highway Racer -- contain full-fidelity orchestrated touch sensations," said Paul Trowe, president of Pulse Interactive. "SCH-n330 users can feel the motorcycle's acceleration, collisions, and the roughness of off-road terrain. In the same way that force feedback forever changed PC and console gaming in the '90s, VibeTonz touch effects will stimulate the rapidly growing trend of mobile gaming. This is just the beginning of what's to come."
Indiagames Ltd., with majority investor TOM Online Inc. (Nasdaq:TOMO); (HK GEM:8282), has also signed a license agreement allowing inclusion of VibeTonz effects in its products. Publishing on the Java, BREW, I-Mode, Flash Lite, and Symbian platforms, the firm distributes to many of the world's largest mobile operators including Verizon, Cingular-AT&T, Orange, Vodafone, China Mobile, China Unicom, and many others.
"As a first step, we will be enhancing our 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer,' 'Bruce Lee,' and 'Predator' games with VibeTonz effects," said Vishal Gondal, founder and CEO, Indiagames. "Adding rich tactile feedback will heighten the excitement and draw players in. We believe this feature will be popular worldwide, and we look forward to implementing it on various platforms around the world as the phones become available."
Ringtones
AG Interactive, the media subsidiary of American Greetings Corporation (NYSE:AM) has introduced a trendy new set of downloadable VibeTonz-enabled polyphonic ringtones. The set includes 50 of AG Interactive's best selling ringtones -- ranging from hip-hop and Latin favorites to billboard chart toppers. Samsung SCH-n330 users can purchase and download these new ringtones through Verizon's Get It Now service.
"VibeTonz touch sensations combined with ringtones gives users a way to feel music rather than just listen to it, and offers new ways to absorb information even with the ringer turned off," said Bryan Biniak, senior vice president and general manager of AG Interactive. "We're thrilled to be on the forefront of this movement, giving people the ability to personalize the feel of their mobile phones. Immersion's VibeTonz Studio SDK allows fast development of touch effects. Moving forward, we plan to incorporate VibeTonz touch sensations into all our brands, including Blue Mountain Mobile, MIDIRingTones, Def Jam Mobile, and Univision Movil."
SCH-n330 Preloaded VibeTonz-enhanced Content
Ringtones
Ringers enhanced by VibeTonz technology include touch sensations synchronized to the melody, beat, and dynamics of music, making tunes more fun and identifiable. The new SCH-n330 comes with 15 preloaded VibeTonz ringers (bells and melodies) that can be used to personalize service or identify individual callers.
User Interface
In the new SCH-n330, key sounds are accompanied by simple touch sensations that confirm each key press. If a call is dropped, an intuitive ramp-down touch sensation immediately informs users, so they know to stop talking. There are also special VibeTonz touch sensations incorporated into power on and off, enabling the user to confirm these actions, even in situations where viewing or hearing is difficult.
Online Information
-- Samsung SCH-n330 phone mobile phone, www.samsung.com and www.verizonwireless.com
-- Customized VibeTonz support for Verizon developers on The Zon, www.vzwdevelopers.com
-- Immersion's VibeTonz System, www.immersion.com/mobility
-- AG Interactive, www.interactive.ag.com
-- Indiagames, www.indiagames.com
-- Pulse Interactive, www.pulsemobilegames.com
-- QUALCOMM BREW, brew.qualcomm.com
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 3D simulation, automotive, entertainment medical training, mobility, and personal computing markets. Immersion and its wholly-owned subsidiaries hold more than 270 issued patents worldwide.
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, 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-K 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 and VibeTonz are trademarks of Immersion Corporation in the United States and other countries. Samsung is a registered trademark of Samsung Electronics America, Inc. and its related entities. QUALCOMM and BREW are registered trademarks of QUALCOMM, Incorporated. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
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