Tag: 3D Touch

Apple Planning On Removing 3D Touch Feature In Future iPhones

Apple’s latest generation of smartphones has been shrouded with plenty of rumours and speculations. The renders seem to strike the right chord with some but fail to impress others, regardless Apple is set to take centre stage with its latest lineup. Amongst the many leaks that have yet to be confirmed, the latest reports point towards the removal of 3D Touch input. The 3D touch is a feature that the company introduced in its handsets back in the year 2015 that has made a recurring appearance since and is now receiving a rain check with the latest generation of iPhones.

The exclusive pressure sensing technology from Apple has always been a cut above the rest was made possible by the company’s proprietary Taptic Engine. The seamless integration of 3D Touch within iOS added a varying degree of functionality to the user interface that saved time for users.

3D Touch allowed users to perform many useful ‘quick functions’ like ‘peak and pop’ where pressure on emails or other text-based apps allowed previews of messages and URLs without actually opening the said application or links. Apple, however, has been reported to have removed the Taptic Engine for cost efficiency and space management.

Apple’s Taptic Engine that powers the 3D touch is reportedly expensive to implement and takes up a lot of space inside the device. The company has sought to increase its profit margins and use the space for other potential components, like a larger battery. One of Apple’s best-selling iPhones the iPhone XR lacked the 3D Touch feature and still sold commendably. This is probably one of the major reasons that reassured Apple on its decision to make the feature optional.

Also Read: OnePlus 7 Unboxing And Hands On Video

Apple users have to, regardless of their stance on this decision, accept the removal of the Taptic Engine and lack of the 3D Touch functionality that was offered on previous iterations of iPhone models.

May 31, 2019
2018 Apple iPhone With LCD Display Won’t Have 3D Touch

Apple has just launched the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus (Product) RED in India. This launch comes halfway through Apple’s iPhone cycle as the next batch of iPhones is expected to be launched in September 2018. So far, we know that Apple will launch three new iPhones in September and the most affordable of the lot will the one with an LCD display. Now, a new research note Ming-Chi Kuo has revealed a few key details about the 6.1 inch LCD iPhone.

According to Kuo, the 6.1-inch iPhone will use what he calls “Cover Glass Sensor” (CGS) technology, relocating the iPhone’s touch module from the display panel (in-cell technology) to the surface glass. He says that this method results in a display that’s lighter and more shock resistant. Apple will apparently add a thin-film sensor to the touch film sensor in the CGS. This method will also result in a 15% increase in the cost of the touch panel. This means that the purchase price of the panel will increase from US$ 23 to US$ 26.

2018 Apple iPhone lineup

Kuo believes that to maintain the cost of the iPhone and obtain parity, Apple will remove 3D Touch on the 6.1-inch iPhone. So far, 3D Touch functionalities are well integrated within iOS since it has been present in all iPhones since the iPhone 6s launch. Apple wants to implement the CGS technology in all future iPhones, which means that 3D Touch could be removed from iPhones altogether in the future. That being said, the 5.8 inch iPhone and the iPhone X Plus, both of which will have an OLED panel will have 3D Touch functionalities.

Kuo also believes that the 6.1 inch LCD iPhone will make up 65 to 75% of iPhone shipments during the year. This is mainly attributed to its much more affordable price tag and the similarities in features with the pricier 2018 iPhone X and iPhone X Plus.

April 27, 2018
3D Touch Delayed, Android N Launch to Continue Without It

Google has put off implementing an Android variant of Apple’s 3D touch at the launch of their next big OS, Android N. A lot of people were excited about this feature, said to be implemented in Android N, providing support to hardware manufacturers to use 3d touch type functionality throughout Android OS.

Google’s next Nexus phones which are supposedly being manufactured by HTC will come with the hardware capabilities of 3D Touch, however, may not use this feature from the get-go.

According to a report in Recode, insiders in Google said

the feature will not be part of the initial Android N release and will have to wait for a later release of the operating system, most likely as part of a maintenance update to the software.

While this may be a let down to excited patrons, this also confirms that Google is indeed working on a 3D touch Android variant which has been loved by iPhone 6s and 6s Plus users alike.

There are already a few manufacturers that have used pressure-sensitive screens and have a more nimble version of 3D touch support on their phones. Googe has already seeded a pre-release dev beta version of Android N and is currently holding a poll to decide the name of this variant of Android.

May 13, 2016
2016 Means 3D Touch for All

Many would say that Apple was the first to bring 3D Touch pressure sensitive screens to smartphones. There are those who contest that the technology has been employed much before that. While you are free to choose your side, there is no denying that 3D Touch or Force Touch technology is here to stay. This fact has been accepted by companies like HTC, Meizu, Xiaomi, Oppo and many other OEMs as they all are rumoured to launch smartphones this year with pressure sensitive screens.

Recent rumours have suggested that HTC’s upcoming Nexus smartphone(s) will incorporate 3D Touch functionality. However, HTC will not be the first Android device to do so. Huawei already pushed out the feature with its Mate S smartphone.

Meanwhile, it also appears that Meizu’s upcoming Pro 6 will feature 3D Touch functionality as well. Weibo recently posted an image of what you can expect from the feature on the Pro 6 and it appears to work just like the iPhone 6s’ Peek and Pop. Force touching the display will bring up a context menu with options on top of a blurred background.

Apple’s 3D Touch in the recently launched iPhone 6s did exactly what the company had wanted. It was a smooth, no fuss feature that changed that way a phone could be operated. Apple played it smart too, keeping minimal functionality of its 3D Touch feature, restricting it to basic quick access features when, in fact, a pressure sensitive screen could have been used in unimaginable ways. There are literally a hundred untapped uses for pressure sensitive screens.

However, by restricting what developers can do with the 3D Touch, Apple can make sure there isn’t any unnecessary fragmentation. Yes, Apple’s 3D Touch functionality currently lacks novelty which works for Apple. But this is where Google can jump in and explore the full potential of 3D Touch.

Rumours have it that Google plans to incorporate the pressure sensitive technology as a native feature in Android. This will help make the technology common for Android users, and will boost adoption rate. Furthermore, this will also push app developers to come up with creative ways to allow users to fully utilize the technology. It is common knowledge that Apple is very choosy about the apps it lets in its App Store.

Where Apple may be restrictive about the way developers use 3D Touch, Google has the opportunity to let developers play with the feature a lot more. What one can expect to see, once 3D Touch becomes native to Android, are apps that will likely do a lot more than simple Peek and Pop function. 3D Touch has the potential to take mobile gaming to the next level, and this is something Google will be keen on in the future.

It is also interesting to note that prior to the launch of the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge, rumours were abound that Samsung would incorporate its own version of 3D Touch and was working with Synaptics to do so. This, however, never came to be. Perhaps Samsung wanted to wait until Google nativized 3D Touch before having it in its flagship device. Whatever may be the case, it looks as if 3D Touch is being embraced by many OEMs and it’s only a matter of time that pressure sensitive displays become the new norm for smartphones.

March 5, 2016
HTC’s Next Nexus Device to Feature 3D Touch Functionality

Many would say that Apple was the first to bring 3D Touch pressure sensitive screens to smartphones. There are those who contest that the technology has been employed much before that. While you are free to choose your side, there is no denying that 3D Touch or Force Touch technology is here to stay. This fact has been accepted by companies like HTC, Meizu, Xiaomi, Oppo and many other OEMs as they all are rumoured to launch smartphones this year with pressure sensitive screens.

HTC is among the most well-known and established brands. While the world awaits the launch of the One M10 flagship smartphone, it seems the company is already busy working on its next Nexus device. In fact, the last known rumour that circulated a few weeks ago suggested that HTC will not release one but two Nexus handsets, and both will likely feature 3D Touch functionality.

Huawei Mate S features 3D Touch functionality

Rumours also say that Google plans to incorporate the pressure sensitive technology as a native feature in Android. This will help make the technology common for Android users, and will boost adoption rate. Furthermore, this will also push app developers to come up with creative ways to allow users to fully utilize the technology.

It will still be a while before we hear anything more on HTC’s Nexus device(s). Before that, it is said that Meizu will be among the first this year to ship its upcoming Pro 5 handset with 3D Touch feature in the first half of 2016.

March 4, 2016
Meizu Pro 6 To Get 3D Touch Display

Looks like Miezu is all set to join the 3D touch bandwagon for phones. As revealed by Meizu VP and Flyme chief architect Yang Yan through a Weibo post just today, the feature which can be found on a couple of flagship devices will soon make its way to this Chinese smartphone maker’s Pro 6.

The screenshot as revealed by Yan hints at the implementation of this new tech in a similar way that Apple uses it. Force touching the display will bring up a context menu with options on top of a blurred background.

Currently, the 3D Touch feature is seen on the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus, which according to the Cupertino-based tech company was hard to develop at the beginning. Analysts predict that this feature that is still in its infancy will take a fair number of years to become mainstream. Other handsets that have this feature include the Huawei Mate S and the ZTE Axon mini.

March 2, 2016
Facebook App To Bring more 3D Touch Capabilities

Facebook which had earlier introduced some 3D touch capabilities to its native iPhone app, has now added some more features for its users. This will be a slow rollout and Facebook will now release more features that can make use of the tech.

The Facebook app will let users of iPhone 6s, and 6s Plus peek and pop to view profiles, take a closer look at photos or to preview web links, pages, groups and events. The app’s icon will also get a new shortcut option along with an option that will take you directly to your timeline.

“We are excited to start rolling out support for 3D Touch in our iOS app so people can quickly and easily peek into a preview of anything they are interested in on Facebook, and pop into that content to see more,” a Facebook spokesperson said, confirming the addition.

But there’s a catch, Facebook has said that it’ll start the roll out of these new 3D Touch tricks first to “a small group of people beginning today,”. The rest of the loyal Facebook community on the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus will get this update “over the coming months.” That’s sounds like a long wait really.

January 23, 2016
iPad Air 3 to Launch Early Next Year Without 3D Touch

According to popular and trustworthy Apple insider, KGI’s Ming-Chi Kuo, the iPad Air 3 is set to launch in the first half of 2016. Kuo also stated that the upcoming 9.7-inch Apple tablet will not come 3D Touch capabilities.

…new iPad Air 3 in 1H16F unlikely to feature 3D Touch. We forecast that iPad Air 3 will opt not to feature 3D Touch because of production issues.

Kuo also said that the “3D Touch [is] one of the most severe production bottlenecks in iPhone 6s supply chain.” There have been no further details on the specs of the iPad Air 3 and we’ll no more as we approach the launch. It is likely that Apple will hold an event for the iPad Air 3 along with the rumoured 4-inch iPhone 6c.

Meanwhile, Kuo also states that the upcoming iPhone 7 flagship will include 3D Touch as was expected, and will have “similar technology & structure as the iPhone 6s.” The iPhone 7 launch will likely take place next September.

December 16, 2015
Samsung and Xiaomi to Incorporate 3D Touch-like Technology in Future Devices
3D Touch is the new cool thing in town and everyone wants to have a piece of it. It is indeed true that the touch-sensitive feature has opened up new possibilties in the way your phones works for you. It is also a feature many gaming companies are excited to ‘tap into’. We had earlier reported that Samsung was in talks with Synaptics to bring the 3D Touch feature seen in Apple’s iPhone 6s series into its 2016 flagship Galaxy S7. Samsung plans on calling it ClearForce.

Now, fresh rumours suggest that Samsung is not the only brand looking to incorporate the pressure sensitive feature into its phones. Reports emerging from China tell us that Xiaomi too is interested in having this technology for its future flagship devices. This could be one of the reasons the expected Mi5 announcement has been delayed.

G for Games cited Weibo that said that Xiaomi is working on a 3D Touch-like feature for its upcoming devices. Whether Xiaomi is going solo on this project or is seeking help from Synaptics (as it did with the Mi 4c, which uses Synaptics’ ClearPad S3708 capacitive touch controller) is not yet known. Meanwhile, Synaptic claims that its ClearForce technology will be superior to 3D Touch feature.

ClearForce – What We Know So Far

For those unaware, 3D Touch enables the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus to understand three distinct levels of pressure. This, then, enables new gestures such as Peek and Pop that lets you quickly see inside an app without actually having to open it. Users need to press the screen lightly to get a ‘Peek’ at a photo, email, web page or other content, and if pressed a little deeper, they can ‘Pop’ into the content itself.

ClearForce, on the other hand, is planning to take the feature up a notch. From what we know so far, the ClearForce technology, besides the expected 3D Touch functions, will have the ability to understand the difference between speed scrolling, zoom, gaming, texting and even operate photo editing tools by noting subtle variable pressure on the surface. Some of the new features, according to Synaptics, are as follows:
- Variable speed scrolling
- Picture zoom and panning
- Function preview and selection
- Continuously variable gaming control functions
- Unlock and wake up
- Right-side mouse click behavior (open contextual menus)
- Line thickness control while drawing (e.g., when writing Chinese characters and creating artwork)
- Image editing (brightness, contrast, saturation)
- Upper case and symbol selection (to bypass keyboard mode changes)
The rumoured tie-up between Xiaomi and Synaptics is not yet confirmed and we will have to wait and see for more information on that. Synaptics has also mentioned that it plans to work with other OEMs as well. So we could see brands other than Samsung and Xiaomi making use of ClearForce in the months to come.
October 26, 2015
Why Apple Limited Functionality of 3D Touch

3D Touch is definitely one of the most talked about features of the new iPhones. This is a highly sensitive touch technology which is able to differentiate between three different kinds of touch. In simpler terms it means easier, quicker shortcuts for the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus users.

However, Apple deliberately limited the functionality of this new feature, according to sources. Developer Victor Baro says,

“We need to take into account that, because 3D Touch is only available in iPhone 6S and 6S Plus, no action should be completed just by using this feature,” he said. “The user should be able to achieve any action without using 3D Touch (just like Peek & Pop does), and 3D Touch should only provide an extra level of interaction.”

Similarly, other developers have also pointed out how 3D Touch would allow users an entire range of features likethe ability to apply filters to images only using force on the screen, being an example. Take a look at developer FlexMonkey’s blog post right here to see what else 3D Touch has to offer.

One of the main reasons why Apple didn’t introduce many features with 3D Touch this time is that the company wants users to be more familiar with the technology first. The introduction of 3D Touch to iPhone 6s and 6s Plus is an attempt to familiarise users before they can be introduced to a more complex technological advancement.

Additionally, Apple also wants the same set of core features for all iOS users, irrespective of the device they’re using. Granted, all such devices are different from each other in many ways, but the essential requirements for apps to run is quite similar in all iOS 9 gadgets. Apple has thus made life easier for developers by making sure 3D Touch is only used for shortcuts at the moment.

iPhone 7 is the Apple device which is likely to bring in more 3D Touch features with it. Following from the rumours of getting rid of the home button we talked about yesterday, 3D Touch might be used to take care of tasks by replacing it. It seems like a long wait until iPhone 7 for us to find out more about 3D Force, but waiting is what we shall do for now.

October 22, 2015
These Hacks Help You Get iPhone 6s’ Best Features on Your Old iPhone

iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus are up for grabs in the country since last night. With the price bracket between Rs.62,000 and Rs. 92,000 the cost is a major discouragement for a lot of buyers. However, if you already own an iPhone 6 and want the features of its successors without burning that hole in your pocket, here are some quick jailbreak hacks for you.

The most talked about feature of the new iPhones is 3D Touch which allows the device to differentiate between three kinds of touch. Though the device necessarily has to be pressure sensitive for this to work, jailbreak tweaks allow the user to swipe up to be able to use 3D Touch on their iPhone 6. Jailbreak tweaks like Forcy, UniversalForce and Hapticle allow you to use the feature on your device.

Another highlight of the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus is Live Photos. This feature does not require new hardware and therefore can work on the older iPhone models as well. The Live Photos enabler tweak, however, hasn’t been working for everyone. Some users have complained of over-heating while others have mentioned freezes. Many users have managed to successfully jailbreak, yet glitches continue.

If you really want the features of the new iPhone, simply buying the device is your best bet. You could try jailbreaking, but less for the features and more for the adrenaline rush of using something you’re not allowed to be using.

October 16, 2015
WhatsApp Rolls Out 3D Touch Support For iPhones 6s

Apple introduced the 3D Touch with their latest iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s plus. It is, without a doubt, one of the coolest technological improvements from the company in a long while. As you may know already, the 3D Touch makes navigating apps a whole lot easier with the ability to ‘Peek and Pop’, as Apple calls it.

Apps like Instagram, Twitter and Facebook have already begun rolling out updates that make use of the 3D Touch feature. Now WhatsApp joins the list as well. The messaging service rolled out its latest version yesterday and the description mentions how you’ll be able to make use of the 3D Touch feature with your latest iPhone.

While not many found the previous update (starring a message by tapping and holding the message) all that useful, the new update is sure to be a treat for iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus users out there who want to get as much out of the 3D Touch feature as they can. As the update mentions, the 3D Touch feature will now allow you to quickly Peek and Pop pictures, videos, links, contact cards, and locations that you send and receive in chats.

Another update is not 3D Touch related but worth a mention. The WhatsApp interface is now mirrored and optimized for right-to-left languages like Arabic.

October 14, 2015
Samsung’s ClearForce Set To Take On Apple’s 3D Touch

The tussle between Samsung and Apple over similar features in their respective devices has persisted for a while now. Both companies have a long history of legal feuds – an example of which can be the 2013 jury verdict which had required Samsung to pay $900 to Apple for infringements of patents. However Samsung still continues to sell the products which used the technology in question and had led to legal trouble in the first place.

Earlier this year in April, the two tech-giants were part of another courtroom drama where Apple was suing Samsung for what it claimed was the copying of the former’s patented features by the latter. Samsung, on the other hand, was counter-suing Apple for having copied its features for iPads and iPhones.

Samsung has incorporated iPhone-inspired features in the past. An example of this is the manual adjustment of exposure at the point of focus in an iPhone camera. Even though this feature is available on pretty much all Android devices, none made it as convenient as Apple. When Samsung came out with its Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge this year, their cameras had the same exposure control feature as the iPhone.

Samsung’s phone unlocking system, which was a shoddier version of iPhone’s slide-to-unlock-feature, is another example of the tech giant coming out with similar tech as its counterpart.

Apple too has picked up features from the Korean company in the past -attempting to make a slimmer variant of iPhones, and opting for an Ion-strengthened glass are two examples.

Staying true to their history of mutual inspiration, Samsung and Apple might be headed towards another common element -ClearForce, very similar to 3D Force, the highlight of the newest iPhones -iPhone 6s and 6s Plus.

Apple’s launched it’s iPhones last month to a huge hoopla in the tech world. One of the most talked about characteristics of the new iPhones is 3D Touch which employs a touch-sensitive technology, enabling the device to differentiate between three distinct types of touch.

Synaptics announced this week that it has also been working on a similar technology called ClearForce. The company plans to work with leading OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturer) to test the technology, and Samsung is expected to employ it in its future phones, post its history of having worked with Synaptics. Synaptics and Samsung earlier worked together on the touch based finger print sensor that are part of Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge.

Apple isn’t the pioneer of using finger-print technology -OEMs have been working on it longer than Apple, so has Synaptics as is evidenced from the progress it has made so far. Samsung wouldn’t shy away from employing this feature in its new devices once its ready. Only time will tell if it would it be another contentious feature in the list of over-laps between Samsung and Apple.

October 10, 2015
Apple CEO Tim Cook Reveals His Favourite iPhone 6s Feature

Before the iPhone 6s launch, rumours and multiple leaks of the iPhone 6s had suggested that it would come with a massive battery, USB Type-C port and fast-charging tech. Unfortunately, we weren’t so lucky. The few new features Apple did announce were upgraded cameras, new Force Touch and an upgraded body.

Now, Apple CEO in a conversation with Buzzfeed News revealed his favourite new feature about the iPhone 6s – the 3D Touch. This feature is an ungraded version of Force Touch, which was introduced with the MacBook. Just like Force Touch, it also senses your action depending on the amount of pressure you apply on the iPhone screen. Adding to the multi-touch gestures like Tap, Swipe, Pinch, 3D Touch brings Peek and Pop. Tim Cook admitted that these features “save so much time.”

With Peek and Pop you can preview the content without opening it entirely. For example, If someone sends you a link to a website, you can Peek at it without leaving the screen you’re on. If you want to open the full page in Safari, press the link a little more deeply to Pop into it.

I personally think 3D Touch is a game changer, I find that my efficiency is way up with 3D touch, because I can go through so many emails so quickly. It really does cut out a number of navigational steps to get where you’re going.

In the same interview, Tim Cook revealed that, going forward, the company may decide to make stock iOS apps optional. Some of the apps we will be able delete are Tips, Podcasts, Compass, Stocks and iBooks. This would mean good news for people who have opted for the lower storage space iPhones.

Source : [tw-button size=”medium” background=”#07ABE2″ color=”” target=”_blank” link=”http://www.buzzfeed.com/johnpaczkowski/twenty-minutes-with-tim-cook#.dxoNYbbmA”]Buzzfeed [/tw-button]

September 16, 2015