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If you’re following our blog, I don’t think I need to tell you that Google released the first versions of Android 12 last week (seriously, we’ve released a ton). While our main focus has been on revealing new features, today we’re taking a step back and testing one of the officially announced features of the new operating system. One of the coolest features of Android 12 is the audio-coupled haptic effect, a feature that effectively promises to make your phone vibrate depending on the current audio session. Google says it will allow developers to create more immersive gaming and audio experiences, and after seeing it in action, we have to agree.
Developer kdrag0n, who recently gave us our first look at Android 12’s wallpaper-based theme system, wanted to try out the new audio-coupled haptic effect feature, so he created a quick app to see which Pixel phones support this feature. According to the HapticGenerator API documentation, “HG is an audio post processor that generates haptic data based on audio channels. The generated haptic data is sent along with the audio data to the audio HAL, which will force the device to support audio coupled haptic playback. Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear that any of Google’s latest Pixel phones – namely the Pixel 4a 5G or the Pixel 5 – support HapticGenerator. Google’s Pixel 3 2018 doesn’t seem to support it either (admittedly we only tested the XL model), but luckily Google’s 2019 Pixel 4 does.
Google’s Pixel 4 supports the audio-coupled haptic effect feature of Android 12. Image credits: XDA Senior Member cstark27
After confirming that the Pixel 4 supports it, kdrag0n created another app using the HapticGenerator API. This app generates vibrations according to the music playing on the device and the result is better than expected. Here are two videos, both recorded by senior XDA member cstark27, that showcase the audio-coupled haptic effect in action:
Daft Punk: once again
Daft Punk: Solar Sailer (Remixed by Pretty Lights)
Google has played with audio-coupled haptics in the past, but Android 12’s new functionality is much more versatile than anything we’ve seen from the company previously. With the Pixel 3, Google prepared custom vibration patterns to match each original ringtone, but it is obviously not possible for them to create custom vibrations for each sound coming out of the speakers.
That’s why I think Android 12’s new audio-coupled haptic might be one of the OS’s coolest features, and why it’s unfortunate that Google’s latest Pixel phones seem to lack support. Haptic feedback, when done right, can really improve the smartphone experience. While I can’t see many people using it for music playback (how many people are holding their phones in their hands while playing music?), I can see how this will make the game even more immersive on mobile. .
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