A vibrating alert is a feature of communications devices to notify the user of an incoming connection or message. It is particularly common on

mobile phone A mobile phone or cell phone is a portable telephone that allows users to make and receive calls over a radio frequency link while moving within a designated telephone service area, unlike fixed-location phones ( landline phones). This rad ...

s and

pager A pager, also known as a beeper or bleeper, is a Wireless communication, wireless telecommunications device that receives and displays Alphanumericals, alphanumeric or voice messages. One-way pagers can only receive messages, while response p ...

s and usually supplements the ring tone. Most 21st-century mobile phones include a vibrating alert feature, as do

smartwatch A smartwatch is a portable wearable computer that resembles a wristwatch. Most modern smartwatches are operated via a touchscreen, and rely on mobile apps that run on a connected device (such as a smartphone) in order to provide core functions. ...

es. Vibrating alerts are primarily used when a user cannot hear the ringtone (a noisy environment or through hearing loss) or wants a more discreet notification (such as in a

theatre Theatre or theater is a collaborative form of performing art that uses live performers, usually actors to present experiences of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place, often a Stage (theatre), stage. The performe ...

). However, when a device is placed on a hard surface, the noise caused by a vibrating alert can often be as loud or louder than a ringtone. The vibrations are produced by an electronic component called a vibration motor (alternatively called a ''haptic actuator''). This component typically consists of a small electric motor with an off-center weight fixed to its output shaft.

References

Mobile phones Mechanical vibrations {{tech-stub

See also

References