Skip to main content

iPhone-like 3D Touch feature spotted in Android N

Evidence that the next version of Google’s Android mobile operating system may include 3D Touch-style app shortcuts has been discovered. References have been found in the code, and the official Preview 2 documentation for Android N, to a feature named dynamic launcher shortcuts, which does sound very similar to Apple’s 3D Touch feature introduced on the iPhone 6S.

The documentation best describes the feature. Designed to help you quickly activate common or popular features inside an app without having to open the app first, shortcut menus will appear after a gesture is made over the app icon on the main Android home screen. Examples given include quickly sending a message using a messaging app, playing the next available episode of a streaming TV show, and choosing a favorite place to navigate to in maps.

Recommended Videos

It certainty sounds familiar, but there is a further feature that’s not seen in iOS, the chance to pull one of those shortcuts out of the menu and pin it to the home screen. Google says there’s no limit to the amount of these pinned shortcuts, which may create an entirely new way of organizing home screens and using apps. It’s also mentioned that apps will only be able to have five shortcuts on the gesture-controlled menu. The exact type of gesture needed isn’t discussed, so may not be related to hard-pressing the touchscreen.

A developer has tried to implement the dynamic launcher shortcuts, but found they didn’t work at the moment, according to Phandroid. It’s speculated the feature and its gesture controls require changes to the hardware as well. That’s true of Apple’s 3D Touch system, which doesn’t work on older iPhone models.

It’s not the first time we’ve heard talk about pressure or gesture controlled touchscreen features in Android N. At the beginning of March, rumors surrounding the next Nexus smartphones said HTC was working with Google to implement a pressure sensitive screen into this year’s devices. Additionally, several manufacturers — from Huawei and ZTE to Meizu and Gionee — have already added their own interpretation of 3D Touch to phones released recently.

Android N is likely to be fully revealed at this year’s Google I/O conference, which takes place in late May.

Andy Boxall
Andy is a Senior Writer at Digital Trends, where he concentrates on mobile technology, a subject he has written about for…
iPhone 13 and Z Flip 3 keep Apple and Samsung sales strong in U.S. and Europe
Galaxy Z Flip 3 closed with Cover Screen active.

The smartphone markets in the U.S. and Europe are still suffering from a chip shortage, according to a report from Counterpoint Research, with overall sales being slightly lower in Europe and slightly higher in the U.S. than they were last year. In Europe, Samsung, Xiaomi, and Apple led the European smartphone market in Q3 (July, August, and September). Even though Samsung saw a decline from the immediately preceding quarter, the newly launched Galaxy Z Flip 3 helped its fortunes. The U.S. market remains dominated by Apple and Samsung, with Motorola continuing slow and steady growth.

Zooming out to look at the bigger picture, aside from Apple, the usual suspects who make the best Android phones (Samsung, Xiaomi, Oppo) lead the pack in the European market. This was likely with phones like the Galaxy Z Flip 3 and OnePlus 9, along with lower-priced A-Series models, while there are some surprise entrants from the likes of Vivo and Realme. Huawei continues to decline, with the lack of Google services and the limited launch of the P50 continuing to take their toll, while former sub-brand Honor is on the rise. The company just launched the Honor 50 and Honor 50 Pro as its first phones with Google services in years, and it'll be interesting to see how these affect future sales.

Read more
iPhone 13 Pro Max vs. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3
iPhone 13 Pro Max back.

If you want an Apple smartphone, the iPhone 13 Pro Max is pretty much where it's at right now. Flaunting newly improved camera lenses, a beautiful 120Hz refresh rate, a more long-lasting battery, the new A15 Bionic chip, and the choice of having a massive 1TB in storage, it gets nearly everything right. However, while it may be the best -- and most deluxe -- Apple smartphone available at the moment, Samsung fans may probably argue that it's not the best phone overall when other manufacturers and operating systems are taken into account.

In particular, one of the best Samsung devices out now is the Galaxy Z Fold 3. As the third-generation Samsung foldable, it almost perfects the concept of a folding phone, incorporating a more durable hinge mechanism and better durability while also offering great performance, a big potential for multitasking, and some very solid cameras.

Read more
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 vs. iPhone 12 Pro Max
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 5g cream.

With the recent launch of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3, you might be wondering whether to invest in the latest foldable delight or pick up a new iPhone 12 Pro Max instead. True, the 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, A14 chip, and matte glass back of the iPhone 12 Pro Max are appealing, but the foldability, dual screens, and 120Hz refresh rate of the Z Flip 3 are calling out to you too.

Comparing two phones can be hard work -- but don't worry, we've done it for you. We've compared the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 and the iPhone 12 Pro Max across six core categories, from display to special features, to help you decide which one is worthy of your cash.

Read more