SAN JOSE, Calif., Jun 07, 2006 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Immersion Corporation (Nasdaq:IMMR), a leading developer and licensor of touch feedback technology, announced that its VibeTonz(R) System, which provides dynamic vibrations, is embedded in the new feature-rich Samsung SCH-a930 mobile phone from Verizon Wireless. VibeTonz touch effects, in combination with sight and sound cues, make content more realistic and fun and operation more intuitive. The new VibeTonz-enabled phone will be made available to Verizon's more than 53 million wireless subscribers.

"Samsung's new SCH-a930 is a very impressive handset, and our VibeTonz System contributes to its appeal," said Immersion CEO Vic Viegas. "The VibeTonz System is catching on because it improves the user experience. It can make the mobile communications experience fuller, easier, and more intuitive and exciting."

The new SCH-a930 CDMA handset with EVDO broadband networking, V CAST music, 1.3 megapixel camera with flash camcorder, video on demand, Bluetooth technology, TransFlash memory slot, internal antenna, stereo speakerphone capability, and advanced speech recognition also includes VibeTonz-enhanced ringtones that help keep users informed when in noisy environments or when sound is turned off. Consumers can assign these ringtones to particular callers, and unique vibrations can also be assigned to various types of messages. In addition, the phone has the ability to play downloaded VibeTonz-enhanced applications from Verizon's Get It Now service.

Leading mobile game publishers Indiagames and Pulse Interactive are offering games with embedded VibeTonz effects for the new phone. Punch Entertainment, SkyZone Entertainment, and Sonic Branding Solutions recently signed agreements with Immersion for use of VibeTonz technology in their downloadable SCH-a930 games.

"We added VibeTonz effects to an upcoming mobile-game version of a very popular, well-known cartoon feature," said Tobin Lent, CEO of Punch Entertainment. "VibeTonz effects can be artfully used to add impact, attention, fun, and communicate subtleties that you otherwise would not be able to on the small screen."

"Adding VibeTonz effects to this new Duke Nukem title enhances our commitment to making great games," said Neil Haldar, vice president, Production and Business Development, SkyZone Entertainment. "The VibeTonz System adds to the excitement and realism we strive to bring to the gamer on the go. This technology is a powerful asset to mobile gaming."

Sonic Branding Solutions' award-winning Name That Tune! uses polyphonic music based on songs from the world's most popular artists, provided under license from the world's leading music publishers. "Our Name That Tune!, the leading wireless music subscription game in the country, just gets better with VibeTonz effects," said Kenny Engels, vice president, Wireless, Sonic Branding Solutions. "On the SCH-a930, you not only hear the tune in stereo, VibeTonz effects make it feel like you turned up the subwoofers. The VibeTonz System adds another dimension that makes Name That Tune! even more fun and entertaining."

Online Information

-- Verizon Wireless, www.VerizonWireless.com

-- Immersion's VibeTonz System, www.immersion.com/mobility

-- VibeTonz support for developers, developer.immersion.com

-- VibeTonz-enabled content and phones, www.vibetonz.com

-- Indiagames, www.indiagames.com

-- Pulse Interactive, www.pulsemobilegames.com

-- Punch Entertainment, www.punch-entertainment.com/

-- Skyzone Entertainment, www.skyzonemobile.com

-- Sonic Branding Solutions, www.SonicBrandingSolutions.com

About Immersion (www.immersion.com)

Founded in 1993, Immersion Corporation is a recognized leader in developing, licensing, and marketing digital touch technology and products. Bringing value to markets where man-machine interaction needs to be made more compelling, safer, or productive, Immersion helps its partners broaden market reach by making the use of touch feedback as critical a user experience as sight and sound. Immersion's technology is deployed across automotive, entertainment, medical training, mobility, personal computing, and three-dimensional simulation markets. Immersion's patent portfolio includes over 600 issued or pending patents in the U.S. and other countries.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties, as well as assumptions that, if they never materialize or prove incorrect, could cause the results of Immersion Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

All statements, other than the statements of historical fact, are statements that may be deemed forward-looking statements, including any projections of earnings, revenues, or other financial matters; any statements of the plans, strategies, and objectives of management for future operations; any statements concerning the breadth of and timeline to implement force feedback technology into handset models or into games or other content, release of VibeTonz-enabled handsets, release of content by service providers, or any change in revenue that may occur from such implementation; any statements regarding consumer response that may occur as a result of having touch feedback in handsets or content, or consumer and market acceptance of force feedback products in general; proposed products or services; any statements regarding future economic conditions or performance; statements of belief; and any statement or assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Immersion's actual results might differ materially from those stated or implied by such forward-looking statements due to risks and uncertainties associated with Immersion's business which include, but are not limited to, delay in or failure to achieve commercial demand for Immersion's products or a delay in or failure to achieve the acceptance of force feedback as a critical user experience.

For a more detailed discussion of these factors, and other factors that could cause Immersion's actual results to vary materially, interested parties should review the risk factors listed in Immersion's most current Form 10-Q, which is on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements in this press release reflect the Immersion's beliefs and predictions as of the date of this release. Immersion disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements as a result of financial, business, or any other developments occurring after the date of this release.

Immersion, the Immersion logo, and VibeTonz are trademarks of Immersion Corporation in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

SOURCE: Immersion Corporation

A&R Partners
Erin Freeley, 650-762-2863
efreeley@arpartners.com

Copyright Business Wire 2006

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