Last month, Microsoft quietly shipped a subtle new feature that most people won’t even know about unless they have the right hardware. a completely new haptic feedback system this is now woven throughout the OS interface. There are now subtle vibrations when interacting with certain elements of the UI, which is really cool.
Microsoft calls this new system “Haptic Signals,” and if you’re using a compatible device, it can be turned on or off in the Windows Settings app. Currently, its options are quite limited, the only configurable parameter is the intensity of the haptics. You can choose between four intensity levels, 2 as standard.
But if you have a compatible device, prepare to be amazed by the implementation of this new system. It feels great and makes using Windows 11 very satisfying. Haptic bumps are present in the OS; When you’re dragging files in File Explorer, aligning objects in apps, and snapping app windows to the edges of your screen.
It’s not everywhere, and it’s by design. It would be too difficult to include haptic feedback in every visual element of the shell, so Microsoft chose to only add it to “high-value interactions” where “haptics clearly reinforce intent.” according to Microsoft head of design and research Marcus Ash.
However, I wouldn’t mind if this applied to a few more places in the OS, including the dismiss button for notifications and the “clear all” button for Notification Center, or enabling or disabling toggles in apps like the Settings or Quick Actions toggle.
Microsoft has also added haptic cues to PowerPoint that show up when you align objects within the presentation. This is an example of how apps can take advantage of haptics, and the API is open for all developers to implement in their own apps if they want.
The life update I love to watch is this quality. Windows has lacked this kind of finesse in UI and UX design for the past few years, so it’s great to see Microsoft back on the horse and proud of the overall Windows experience like this. It’s not a necessary addition, but it’s an addition, and I’m glad they added it.
Microsoft is still tweaking Haptic Signals, so be prepared for it to appear (or disappear in some cases) in certain parts of the UI as the company figures things out. For example, during my testing, Microsoft removed the tactile bump on the close button in app windows, citing concerns that the app was “too noisy” and not subtle enough. I agree with this decision.
The only feedback I have is that I would like to see more granular control over the Haptic Signals feature. Controlling the intensity is nice, but I’d like to be able to enable or disable individual categories of haptic responses. Enabling haptic feedback for breaking a window but turning it off for object alignment would be handy, for example. So people can dial in how haptically responsive their OS is.
The new Haptic Signals feature for Windows 11 is rolling out now, but is currently available on a very limited number of devices.
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