Giving friends custom text buzzes based on Morse code
The author set up custom iPhone vibration patterns for 25 contacts based on the Morse code of their initials to identify texters without looking.
summary is enough A short personal build log fully captured in the summary, though the comments provide alternative technical hacks.
summary
The author wanted a way to identify specific contacts by phone vibration alone without pulling out the device. By mapping the Morse code of each person's initials to manual iPhone haptic patterns using an AI-generated helper tool, they configured custom buzzes for 25 people. The manual process took 45 minutes and required setting up each contact individually through iOS settings. While effective, the approach highlights the friction in customizing haptic feedback programmatically on iOS.
key points
- Custom haptic vibrations can be manually recorded on iOS under Settings, Sounds and Haptics, Text Tone, Haptics.
- Using an LLM to generate a tap-to-play Morse code reference tool simplifies translating initials into vibration rhythms.
- Commenters note alternative techniques, such as synchronizing custom audio files with haptics or using syllable counts instead of Morse code.
who should read it
iOS users looking to customize haptic notifications for specific contacts.
discussion positive
consensus
Commenters like the idea of filtering notifications via haptics, though many find translating Morse code too tedious.
pushback
Some point out that generating custom audio files with synchronized haptics or using syllable counts are easier alternatives.
Pretty clever! Not a bad way to passively learn Morse code too.
iOS supports having notification sounds synchronized with the haptics; I wonder if generating the text tones as audio files and assigning those would have been an easier approach.
Just have to use the share sheet on an audio file and choose "Use as ringtone". Shortcuts/Automator might even be able to make this automagic.
Points out that iOS supports synchronizing notification sounds with haptics, enabling automated audio file generation as an alternative.
Generated by an LLM from the article and thread. Check the sources before relying on it.