A new Google patent application revealed a new way to control future Android devices - by tapping its back cover. It is likely that the new feature will first see implementation on the upcoming Nexus 5 or the Motorola X-Phone.

First reported by Patent Bolt, the new technology appears similar in function to an Apple patent that was seen in 2006, which the report said was then believed to see deployment on future devices by the iPhone maker.

To date, no such traces were seen on iPads or iPhones nor there are indications that Apple plans to use the technology at all.

Now, the Android maker appears bent on pushing out soon its own flavour of the technology which enables smartphones running on the Google mobile platform to "perform in response to non-touchscreen contact being detected on the backside of the Android device's backside housing."

Making it to the rumoured Nexus 5 or X-Phone in 2013, the backside device touch control function "could turn a page of an eBook, article on the web or flip to next or previous views of photos and perhaps music albums in a playlist."

What Apple had intended for its 'future iPad' specs, Google will likely use on its signature handsets, which reports said should be released by the Internet giant on Q3 2013, in time for the Key Lime Pie debut that experts said will be previewed via the firm's I/O developers conference on May.

It's possible too that the backside touch control will become an Android standard, creating the likelihood that other topnotch Android handsets like Samsung's Galaxy Note 3 and Galaxy S4 and HTC One will also enjoy the exciting feature.

No official word yet from Google, but reports abound that a refresh of the Nexus 4 is coming out soon. Tentatively known as Nexus 5, the handset will likely bump up the specs that made it an instant hit while keeping the starting price point of $US299.

Aside from getting a 5-inch plus Full HD screen and a faster CPU, the only confirmed hardware about the Nexus 5 is its insanely great camera capabilities as provided earlier by a Google executive.