[APP] (2009-02-05) TouchBack v1.0b4 - Haptic/Touch Feedback for DialPad/SIP

[Kay_]

Updated to v1.0 - BETA4 (2009-02-05)

About TouchBack

TouchBack is an application for emulating haptic feedback for Windows Mobile 6.0 devices. It has been designed simply to give a configurable feedback response to your fingers within the SIP window and within the DialPad window. Settings persist between device resets and you can enable TouchBack to start-up automatically upon device bootup.

The current version of TouchBack is being released as a beta, as I'd like to get some feedback on how it works for you. Despite the beta status, I have been running the program daily since the end of November and it hasn't crashed once yet - No detectable slow-downs have been caused by running the application in the background either (and the memory footprint is very small at 4KB).

I do realise that other decent haptic feedback programs have popped up (e.g. TouchResponse), and I don't want the authors to feel like I'm trying to step on their toes. I just thought it was a waste to not release the application after pouring time into it - I may also consider releasing the source code once I get my website up and running.

Please leave feedback on whether or not TouchBack works for you and your device. Enjoy!

Features

• Haptic feedback (!) within SIP, DialPad or Both.
• Support for multiple dialers (stock DialPad and iDialer so far).
• Activate feedback On Press, After Press or Both.
• Configurable vibration length (minimum: 1ms)
• Configurable ignore press period (prevent multiple vibrations).
• Start-up automatically on reset.
• Settings persist across resets.

Installation/Setup

• Download the CAB file and copy to your device.
• Run the CAB and install the program.
• Run the TouchBackCfg application found within your Start menu.
• Configure your desired settings - Ensure your notification (vibration) port is correct (click on test area to check).
• Click on Menu -> Save Config to save your settings.
• Click on the "Start" button to start TouchBack, then you can exit the program.

Version History

Version 1.0 - BETA4

• Added: Support for different dialers (currently: stock DialPad + iDialer).
• Fixed: Vibration does not work on stock DialPad when non-English language is set.

Version 1.0 - BETA3

• Fixed: Failure to create/delete startup shortcuts on systems with non-standard startup path (e.g. Non-English).

Version 1.0 - BETA2

• Added: Resolution-aware Dialogs.
• Fixed: Configuration does not display correctly on VGA displays.

Version 1.0 - BETA1

• Initial Beta Release.

 

[Kay_]

Reserved for updates.

 

[Yuna]

Why is it better TouchResponse?

 

[littld]

Why is it better TouchResponse?

Just looking at it, it has the advantage of being much smaller in size, so you'd assume it uses less memory. It also supports the dial pad which I think is very good.

 

[Yuna]

please, make this program to display properly on diamond, evrithng else works like a charm!

 

[Kay_]

What's the problem? How does it display? I presume you're talking about the TouchBackCfg application. Are parts of it cut-off? I can work on fixing that if that is the case. Please let me know if it is similar to the attached image.

 

[zen_green]

It sounds so good! Actually, I looked for a vibration feedback only for SIP and Dialpad, so it looks like just perfectly suit...

But unfortunately, on my Cruise, the vibration don't work for the dialpad (I use the Amine Opal Dialer). Only works for the SIP (TouchPal).

Do you think it is possible to fix that?

Thanks!

 

[Yuna]

yes, just like that - cutted off...

 

[Kraize]

Does this app still have that problem that TouchResponse has? The one where sometimes a touch stimulates a stronger vibration from time to time?
And is there anyway to have exceptions in this? Like suppose I don't want it to give me haptic feedback in a certain app.

 

[superman.namrepus]

Nice work Kay_! Works great on my Sprint Diamond. Keep up the great work.

 

[scdavis]

What's the problem? How does it display? I presume you're talking about the TouchBackCfg application. Are parts of it cut-off? I can work on fixing that if that is the case. Please let me know if it is similar to the attached image.

Hey Kay,

Thats exactly how my screen looks on a Touch Pro (VGA) and i dont get feedback when dialing, just on the keyboard.

I checked the settings too, they were right...

nice app!

-SCDavis

 

[CorruptedSanity]

Looks nice and almost identical to TouchResponse.

Can we know, from your side, the differences or benefits this has over TouchResponse?

Thanks

 

[Kay_]

yes, just like that - cutted off...

I've added resolution-awareness to the config application, so it should now display correctly on VGA devices. There is a separate profile for those with the HTC Touch HD to take advantage of the slightly roomier window space. ;-)

Does this app still have that problem that TouchResponse has? The one where sometimes a touch stimulates a stronger vibration from time to time?

You can vary the period that TouchBack prevents multiple vibrations using the "Ignore Length (ms)" setting. The default is set to 100ms, and this seems to prevent most repeats - But you may need to adjust it higher if you're a particularly fast typist (erm, "stylist" if you're an adept stylus user I suppose!)

And is there anyway to have exceptions in this? Like suppose I don't want it to give me haptic feedback in a certain app.

As for exclusions, this currently isn't supported - The idea was to make TouchBack a simple program that targets the SIP window and DialPad windows only. Why do you not want haptic feedback for a specific window?

i dont get feedback when dialing, just on the keyboard.

Aye - The current support for the HTC Touch HD default dialpad is a bit of a hack, so I thought this might not work across different mobiles. On the upside, if you let me know exactly what dial pad it is then I'll be able to get it onto my Touch HD and see if I can program support in for it. I'll have a look into the Amine Opal Dialer that zen_green mentioned too.

...

Thanks for the feedback folks! Don't let me stop you though, try out BETA2. I'll implement AppToDate support after we get past the initial BETA period (well, that is if people want to continue using the application, hehe).

 

[Kay_]

Looks nice and almost identical to TouchResponse.

Can we know, from your side, the differences or benefits this has over TouchResponse?

Thanks

TouchBack primarily runs as a tiny (4Kb) resident program that sits in the background, and hooks into system events - It doesn't consume any processing time apart from when you've clicked/pressed the screen. Performance is also very good with regards to feedback response and there is no appreciable slowdown from activating vibration.

This isn't a direct comparison with TouchResponse, as I'm unaware of the internals of that program; although I do know that my approach to the problem is different from that of TouchResponse (but I'm not claiming that this method is better, just different). Thus. I'm hoping to sell TouchBack on its simplicity and small memory footprint, and the fact that I'm primarily targetting SIP/DialPad as opposed to giving general haptic feedback for everything.

I'll have to let users themselves decide which they like - Please try out the program and see for yourself. All feedback and constructive criticism is entirely welcome.

 

[zen_green]

Thanks very much for considering our comments and requests.

Keep this great work!

 

[lpaso]

On my french HTC Touch HD, I don't get any vibration with the dialpad. I use the stock ROM, with the stock dialpad. Maybe a localisation failure ?
(I can't make TouchBack to start with Windows either : I got the error "could not create shortcut").

 

[Kay_]

Aye - Likely a localisation issue. I'll have to look into programmatically looking up the name (via SHGetSpecialFolderPath) for the start menu rather than just assuming it is "Start Menu" *cough* hard-coded *cough*. I am writing a test app to help me diagnose these issues at the moment.

 

[Kay_]

OK, solved the localisation issue with the startup path. I'll upload the new version whenever I make some progress on making it work with DialPads other than the stock English ROM one.

 

[CorruptedSanity]

Thanks very much for considering our comments and requests.

Keep this great work!

As above.

 

[kayge]

Will this work for iDialer (the keypad that accompanies iContact)? If not can you associate it iDialer?

I've made that my default dial pad on my Diamond and would like haptic response.

Thx.