iOS code suggests 'iPhone 6s' will feature Force Touch technology
Code discovered in a recent iOS build suggests Apple is testing implementations of pressure-sensitive Force Touch gesture technology in its next-generation smartphone hardware, anticipated to launch in the coming weeks.
Developer Hamza Sood, who has a track record of uncovering unannounced features hidden within Apple source code, was able to generate pseudo code that appears to enable deep press trackpad gestures for selecting UI text. It is thought that such capabilities will be borne out through Force Touch hardware on upcoming "iPhone 6s" models.
"Some force touch code in iOS. Looks like they've tested kb trackpad gestures on the 6s, activated via force touch," Sood said in a Tweet on Wednesday.
AppleInsider first received word of Apple's plans to proliferate Force Touch to iOS devices in February, with sources saying this year's iPhone variants will sport the pressure-sensitive input mechanism debuted on Apple Watch. Apple has since integrated Force Touch into its MacBook product line, including the latest MacBook Pros and 12-inch MacBook with Retina display.
Recent rumors suggest Apple suppliers started ramping up iPhone 6s Force Touch module production in July ahead of a fall release. Aside from Force Touch, the forthcoming handset is expected to include an all-new A9 system-on-chip, a chassis made from 7000 series aluminum, enhanced camera hardware, integrated Qualcomm transceiver and more.
Apple is widely expected to announce a refreshed iPhone lineup alongside new Apple TV hardware at a special event in September.
Developer Hamza Sood, who has a track record of uncovering unannounced features hidden within Apple source code, was able to generate pseudo code that appears to enable deep press trackpad gestures for selecting UI text. It is thought that such capabilities will be borne out through Force Touch hardware on upcoming "iPhone 6s" models.
"Some force touch code in iOS. Looks like they've tested kb trackpad gestures on the 6s, activated via force touch," Sood said in a Tweet on Wednesday.
AppleInsider first received word of Apple's plans to proliferate Force Touch to iOS devices in February, with sources saying this year's iPhone variants will sport the pressure-sensitive input mechanism debuted on Apple Watch. Apple has since integrated Force Touch into its MacBook product line, including the latest MacBook Pros and 12-inch MacBook with Retina display.
Recent rumors suggest Apple suppliers started ramping up iPhone 6s Force Touch module production in July ahead of a fall release. Aside from Force Touch, the forthcoming handset is expected to include an all-new A9 system-on-chip, a chassis made from 7000 series aluminum, enhanced camera hardware, integrated Qualcomm transceiver and more.
Apple is widely expected to announce a refreshed iPhone lineup alongside new Apple TV hardware at a special event in September.
Comments
Apropos of nothing, it would be nice if the Magic Mouse had an "ignore light touches that appear to be accidental" feature...
IMO it'd be good if there was a visual cue that force touch is available on a particular screen within each app. I often forget to think about trying it out in various Watch apps and miss half the functionality. It'd only need something simple such as a slight wiggle when the app opened (like the one you get when you force touch something non-force-touchable) and it'd let you know FT is available on that screen, and at the same time remind you that force touch is a thing.
I'm not exactly sure how you would do that from a UX perspective. I think there are some things you just have to be taught or learn via exploring. There are plenty of things in iOS that don't necessarily provide visual clues. Ask someone who's never used an iOS device how to delete an app or add a photo to an email message and they would have no clue. People learned right-click with the mouse, I think they can learn force touch too. I like that the watch has haptic feedback when you use it, it would be nice if the phone did something similar.
Perhaps a slight sheen effect on the homescreen on the app icon for a while after you install. Reminds you that there is something new?
It's really not that hard to guess what's in store for phones these days... especially on the "s" cycle.
I guess the 7 will bring a new design, 8 might integrate the home/finger button into the screen, 9 may be about dual lens cameras.... Not that exciting. We're really hitting a wall with these devices where it's now more and more about the software.
What a load of crap. 4S brought a much faster processor, better camera, and was the first phone in the world with BT 4.0 support.
5S brought Touch ID and the world's first (and most advanced) 64bit ARM processor.
These are hardly "extra touches". They are major upgrades.
The iPhone 5s introduced the world's first 64-bit smartphone, better camera, dual tone flash. Give me a break.
Stupid comment is stupid.
Touch ID, 64 bit mobile cpu, M7 coprocessor, massive power increase, dual tone flash, etc. Yeah, "touches".
But sure, screw the facts.
IF anything buying "S" phone is buying last year's model with a few extra touches. Save your money for the 7.
Actually, it's almost opposite. "Standard" numbers bring above all new overall design, like case and screen size/form factor, whereas "s" actually bring really big changes in internals. "s" always seem to be "real thing" after following design change hype, therefore I'm "s" user.
Why do smartphones have to be exciting?
wow what? you press forcefully. that's it.
whether there's a relevant function to act on or not is not different than knowing if you can right click for a contextual menu. try it and see.
until we have print scanners and FaceTime cameras embedded in the screens (so you can actually look at each other's eyes) then no, we have not plateaued in usefulness in hardware.
ignorant. in years past the S models have had almost all new hardware inside...only the case design remains. big whoop.
IF anything buying "S" phone is buying last year's model with a few extra touches. Save your money for the 7.
See, this is never an issue for me. I upgrade to S and non-S models every year!