Android N may bring support for pressure-sensitive display technology

Android Mascots At The Google I/O Developers Conference — Android mascots are lined up in the demonstration area at the Google I/O Developers Conference in the Moscone Center in San Francisco, California, May 10, 2011. Reuters/Beck Diefenbach

Android-powered smartphones will soon be supported by pressure-sensitive display technology, just like Apple’s iconic 3D Touch, according to unconfirmed reports. By applying differential force, this feature allows the user to perform various actions faster than ever.

Google seems to be all set to introduce its touch-sensitive screen technology in the next generation of Android operating system. The search giant is likely to come up with a new name for it, as Apple’s iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus, launched in 2015, have the same display technology named 3D Touch.

The ‘launcher shortcuts’ in the latest beta of Android N, which was released last week, reveals that the new version upgrade will allow users to ‘perform actions quicker.’ The app shortcuts will help users to navigate to apps in a simpler way.

Phanroid worked closely with the developer of Nova Launcher to test the dynamic shortcut feature. According to the website, Google will probably opt for a third-party developer or make each OEMs work on creating the launcher.

The short video (see below) published by Phanroid indicates the Google’s touch-sensitive display technology might be quite similar to that of Apple’s 3D Touch.

With the Android N Developer Preview 2 Google introduced launcher shortcut including options like navigating to a particular location in mapping app, sending messages and playing the next episode of a TV show in media app.

The latest developer preview also introduced “human-looking” emojis and added support for skin tone variations. The first Android N Developer Preview, released last month brought in features like Multi-window, Direct Reply notification and Bundled notification among many.

Google is expected to officially announce Android N operating system at its annual developer conference Google I/O 2016. Samsung’s upcoming flagship smartphone Galaxy Note 6 is rumoured to come with Android N pre-installed.

Samsung Galaxy Note 6 release date is speculated to fall sometime in July.