AT&T is rolling out Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow for Samsung Galaxy Tab S2. (Photo : YouTube/ Waqar Khan)
It has been confirmed that Google's Android N will be supporting pressure sensitive displays, including 3D Touch-like features like those found on iPhone S and iPhone 6S Plus. Google confirmed this when it announced that it would work with pressure sensitive displays in future.
If it comes into being, the feature will allow device manufacturers to make their own versions of 3D Touch pressure sensitive screens on their Smartphones. The feature will as well allow a user-friendly interface with other elements like "Launcher Shortcuts" getting highlighted.
According to Phandroid, the 3D Touch feature on Android N was made possible by developer Kevin Barry using Nova Launcher, which is already running on the Android N Developer Preview 2. Phandroid's Steve Bright also went ahead to demonstrate the 3D Touch-like feature using the aforementioned launcher, and by opening shortcuts found on the Google Weather app.
Reports show that Barry executed the feature by the use of a swipe down gesture on the particular tapped app. Theoretically, it means that a third-party manufacturer or EOM can choose their preferred gesture for the feature.
Nevertheless, the default trait would be a force touch gesture that has already been demonstrated by its integration in the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus. Google confirmed to The Verge that their decision to include 3D Touch is based on the point that Android device manufacturers might want the feature on the operating system itself, instead of them going through the hassle of creating their own software solutions.
In spite of this, it does not necessarily mean that upcoming Android devices will come with pressure sensitive displays this year. Instead, it will serve as a preparation for future devices that will essentially need the feature. This includes devices that will get launched in 2017 and later.
One reason why the feature may favor 2017 devices is the fact that many of the new Android phones are still running on android 5.1 Lollipop instead of the fresh Android 6.0 Marshmallow. Mobile analysts also suggest that there is a possibility that Google's next iterations of its Nexus devices will become the first handsets to employ the feature.
Speculations propose that Google will officially showcase the Android N feature in its upcoming I/O Conferences on May 18. Here is a video showcasing Android N features:
