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  New mobiles will let you text emotions
Updated 21 January 2003, 17.21
The man behind the new phone shows how it works
The man behind the new phone shows how it works

Forget emoticons, because hot on the heels of text and picture messaging comes the latest hi-tech way to use your mobile - virtual touch messaging.

A US company reckons within a year people will be able to send physical messages from mobile to mobile.

The makers reckon you'd be able to send different types of vibration that could represent different emotions, instead of using an emoticon.

The phone uses games technology
The phone uses games technology

They suggest you could send someone a short sharp buzz could mean a slap, while a longer softer buzz could stand for a high five.

Buzzin'

It works by using the same kind of technology that makes your phone vibrate instead of ring.

Mix that in with the way games console controllers rumble when you're playing a game, and you have a touchy-feely phone!

It means if you were playing a driving game on your mobile you'd be able to feel the car as it screeched around corners.

But the people who make the phones have made it clear the phone isn't just a toy.

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