New PMP with touchscreen that pushes back

The Korean company ORACOM announced this little treasure and our ears picked up. The specifications of this new PMP, the W30, are not that outstanding but it does have one saving grace: haptic interface that is selling for a reasonable price of $180.

A haptic interface tries to simulate pressing a real button when you press virtual keys on a touchscreen. Operating a touchscreen interface can take a little getting used to because from a young age we are familiar with interfaces that, when you press a button you feel it go in. This doesn’t happen with touchscreens so devices like ORACOM’s W30 try to solve this through the use of sounds and vibrations.

Haptic interfaces are not new but devices which use them are usually quite expensive so this is what makes the W30 so interesting. Other than the haptic capability the W30 sports 4GB flash memory, DMB TV tuner and built-in FM tuner as well as an integrated dictionary to help you get directions when abroad.

The tiny 240 x 400 3-inch display is a little disappointing, and although touchscreens can take a little getting used to I certainly don’t have any problems with them. I am not that fussed about haptic interfaces just yet, so I won’t be rushing to the shops when W30 is out here.

[Source:Akihabara news]