Technology

New HydroHaptic technology could have you squeezing, pinching, and twisting a pliable mouse or joystick

Source

Tom's Hardware

Published

Oct 12, 2025

TL;DR

AI Generated

Computer scientists from the University of Bath have introduced HydroHaptics, a technology enabling expressive communication between users and devices through soft, deformable sensors. This innovation allows for tactile feedback without compromising flexibility, making it suitable for devices like computer mice, gaming peripherals, and wearables. The technology was showcased at a recent symposium and received recognition for its potential applications in various real-world scenarios. HydroHaptics utilizes a compact motor and liquid-filled silicone chamber to deliver high-fidelity haptic output, with plans for potential market readiness in the next one to two years pending further development and miniaturization.

Read Full Article

Turtle Beach's new mouse has a 2.25-inch touchscreen and hotswap batteries that last 15 hours apiece — 'MC7' costs $160, part of company's new Command Series peripheral lineup

Turtle Beach has unveiled its new Command Series peripherals, including the flagship MC7 mouse with a 2.25-inch touchscreen, hotswap batteries lasting 15 hours each, and a $160 price tag. The mouse features a 30,000 DPI sensor, optical switches, and customizable buttons, along with OBS and Streamlabs compatibility. Additionally, there are more affordable options like the MC5 and MC3 with varying features. The company also introduced new keyboards, such as the KB7 with a 4.3-inch touchscreen, hall-effect switches, and a $200 price tag. The peripherals are available for pre-order on Turtle Beach's website.

Tom's Hardware•

5 days ago

Steam Controller leaked review points to $99 MSRP — more expensive than PS5 and Xbox controllers and Nintendo Joy-Cons

A leaked review of the Steam Controller revealed a $99 price tag, making it more expensive than controllers for PS5, Xbox, and Nintendo. The controller features dual trackpads, which the reviewer highlighted as a standout feature. Valve announced the Steam Controller alongside other hardware in late 2025, but due to the chip crisis, the release has been delayed to the first half of 2026. Despite its higher price, the Steam Controller's unique features, like dual touchpads, make it a compelling option for PC gaming. Valve has yet to announce an official release date for its new hardware lineup.

Tom's Hardware•

5 days ago

Windows 11 adds haptic feedback for snapping, resizing, and more but most laptops can’t use it yet

Windows 11 is introducing haptic feedback for actions like snapping, resizing windows, and aligning objects in PowerPoint, but most laptops lack the compatible hardware for this feature. The haptic feedback is being rolled out to Windows Insiders gradually, starting with Preview Build 26300.8155. Microsoft is aiming to enhance user experience with haptic feedback, a feature that has been popular on MacBooks but not widely adopted in Windows laptops. While Microsoft is pushing for this premium feel on Windows laptops, the success of implementing haptic touchpads ultimately relies on OEMs prioritizing this feature in their devices.

Windows Latest•

2 weeks ago

Hardening the Silicon: Why Analog Anti-Tamper IP is the New Security Baseline

Protecting hardware-level vulnerabilities is becoming crucial as hackers use more complex tampering techniques, especially with the mass deployment of connected devices. Analog anti-tamper IP and sensors are essential in strengthening hardware security to prevent unauthorized access and manipulation. Attacks, like fault injection and side channel analysis, are increasingly sophisticated, emphasizing the need for hardened hardware security. Analog sensors can detect abnormal conditions and trigger responses to thwart attacks, providing a critical layer of protection that digital security alone cannot offer. Agile Analog's tools aim to simplify the development of analog security components, addressing challenges in implementing advanced hardware security measures.

SemiWiki•