Android smartphones are about to get the iPhones' KILLER feature

Pushing harder on the iOS app icon brings up a short list of icons

ANDROID smartphones with pressure sensitive displays – similar to the staggering 3D Touch technology Apple included with its iPhone 6S – could be just around the corner.

 

Apple introduced a new pressure sensitive display technology – dubbed 3D Touch – with the iPhone 6S last month.

3D Touch offers quick access to a number of shortcuts and hidden menus in iOS, simply by pushing harder on the display than a standard tap.

But Android smartphone owners who find themselves looking longingly at iPhone 6Ss will not have long to wait before a similar technology migrates to Android.

 

Synaptics has announced a series of controllers which will bring a similar functionality to your favourite Google flavoured handset.

Dubbed ClearForce, the pressure sensitive technology adds more control options than the traditional swipe, pinch and tap.

Just as with Apple's 3D Touch – the Synaptics technology will add layers of perceived depth to the glass display.

 

3D Touch enables faster navigation around Apple's iOS 9

The ClearForce technology will be used to control scrolling speeds with pressure, add new ways to zoom and pan over photographs, summon hidden contextual menus, according to Synaptics.

Unfortunately the success of the technology depends on the implementation by popular Android manufacturers like Samsung and HTC.

Different Android manufacturers could use the technology in different ways too.

This could lead to a dramatically different experience on Samsung, as opposed to HTC, for example.

Google would have to incorporate pressure sensitive technology within its pure version of Android to create some consistency.

 

Just as with Apple's 3D Touch – the Synaptics technology adds layers of depth to the glass display

But don't hold your breath – the US search firm only recently refreshed its Nexus line of Android devices.

Kevin Barber, Senior Vice President of Synaptics’ Smart Display Division, said: "This exciting next step in human interface for smartphones will soon become the norm and highlights Synaptics’ leadership in force.

"Early adopters of ClearForce include industry leading OEMs and LCMs seeking advanced technology that drives an enhanced and more productive user experienced."

The ClearForce technology is already in production and is reportedly due to appear in some flagship Android smartphones from early 2016.