An electronic device comprising: a sensor configured to sense an action of a user of the electronic device; a haptic output device configured to generate a haptic effect in response to the action of the user sensed by the sensor, the haptic output device comprising a substrate, an array of electrodes (220, 222, 224) disposed on the substrate, and a layer of dielectric material disposed on the array of electrodes (220, 222, 224), the layer of dielectric material having an exposed outer surface configured for contact with a contact surface, the exposed outer surface comprising a micro-patterned texture configured to increase the effective surface area of the exposed outer surface for contact with the contact surface; the electronic device further comprising: a housing, wherein the haptic output device is mounted to an outside surface of the housing; and a controller configured to receive an input signal from the sensor, to receive an indication that the electronic device has received an e-mail or text message, to determine the haptic effect to be generated by the haptic output device based on the input signal and the indication, and to direct a voltage potential across the array of electrodes (220, 222, 224) to generate an electrostatic adhesive force between the exposed outer surface and the contact surface as the haptic effect. a sensor configured to sense an action of a user of the electronic device; a haptic output device configured to generate a haptic effect in response to the action of the user sensed by the sensor, the haptic output device comprising a substrate, an array of electrodes (220, 222, 224) disposed on the substrate, and a layer of dielectric material disposed on the array of electrodes (220, 222, 224), the layer of dielectric material having an exposed outer surface configured for contact with a contact surface, the exposed outer surface comprising a micro-patterned texture configured to increase the effective surface area of the exposed outer surface for contact with the contact surface; a substrate, an array of electrodes (220, 222, 224) disposed on the substrate, and a layer of dielectric material disposed on the array of electrodes (220, 222, 224), the layer of dielectric material having an exposed outer surface configured for contact with a contact surface, the exposed outer surface comprising a micro-patterned texture configured to increase the effective surface area of the exposed outer surface for contact with the contact surface; a housing, wherein the haptic output device is mounted to an outside surface of the housing; and a controller configured to receive an input signal from the sensor, to receive an indication that the electronic device has received an e-mail or text message, to determine the haptic effect to be generated by the haptic output device based on the input signal and the indication, and to direct a voltage potential across the array of electrodes (220, 222, 224) to generate an electrostatic adhesive force between the exposed outer surface and the contact surface as the haptic effect. to receive an input signal from the sensor, to receive an indication that the electronic device has received an e-mail or text message, to determine the haptic effect to be generated by the haptic output device based on the input signal and the indication, and to direct a voltage potential across the array of electrodes (220, 222, 224) to generate an electrostatic adhesive force between the exposed outer surface and the contact surface as the haptic effect.