The Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday that Apple will add the Force Touch feature, currently found in the new Apple Watch and 12-inch MacBook, to the next-generation iPhone. The company is also said to be considering a pink color option for the next-gen handset.
WSJ, citing sources within Apple’s supply chain, says the company is looking to include Force Touch technology in the next-generation iPhone, which will likely launch, as usual, this fall.
Other reports have also indicated Apple is considering Force Touch for the iPhone, and Apple does have a history of debuting features in one device, only to include them in other devices or its Mac lineup at a later date.
Force Touch allows a device to determine different levels of input pressure:
“Force Touch uses tiny electrodes around the flexible Retina display to distinguish between a light tap and a deep press, and trigger instant access to a range of contextually specific controls. With Force Touch, pressing firmly on the screen brings up additional controls in apps like Messages, Music, and Calendar. It also lets you select different watch faces, pause or end a workout, search an address in Maps, and more. Force Touch is the most significant new sensing capability since Multi‑Touch.”
Force Touch in the iPhone would likely require the use of flexible display materials like the OLED panel used in the Apple Watch. The WSJ report also indicates Apple will continue to offer the iPhone flagship devices in their current 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch display sizes, with “similar” resolutions.
The report also indicates Apple is considering adding pink to the color options available for the iPhone. Current color options are Silver, Space Grey, and Gold.
(Via AppleInsider)
