Google may be bringing its 'double tap' gesture to Pixel smartphones when it rolls out Android 12, according to a report. The feature allows users to trigger actions by tapping the rear of their device twice. It was initially unearthed in the Android 11 Developer Preview early last year but was a surprise omission when Android 11 rolled out fully.
The double tap feature was developed under the codename 'Columbus,' which is said to be after the character in Zombieland one of whose rules was to always shoot the undead at least twice. 9to5Google said the default action assigned to the double tap was launching Google Assistant and speculated that this might have been with the intention of it being used when a phone was in a pocket. In this way, a user could ask Google Assistant a question or set it a task via their headphones without needing to take their phone out and keeping their hands free.
After the non-appearance of the feature in Android 11, 9to5Google now says that it has seen information confirming that Google is working to include it in Android 12. It suggested the implementation of the feature last year was too sensitive and that, in reprising it, Google will make it possible for users to adjust the sensitivity of a device's tap recognition. Assuming this is all borne out, users can expect to get access to the feature in September when the new version of Android is likely to be launched.
What Can Google's Double Tap Do?
Besides activating Google Assistant, there are a number of other actions that the double tap feature will apparently be able to trigger. Users will be able to set it to take a screenshot, to pause and resume media playback, to open the pull-down notifications 'shade,' and to open the recent apps view. Theoretically, it would be possible to allow users to assign any action on their device to the double tap trigger, but Google will apparently limit possibilities to only this small number of actions.
It may not be long before we get more of an idea one way or the other about the inclusion of the feature on Pixel phones and about how it will be implemented. As 9to5Google points out, the first Android 11 Developer Preview was made available in mid-February last year, so it may be just a matter of weeks until we see the first Android 12 Developer Preview. Of course, any features that are suspected now or when the developer preview arrives remain at the mercy of Google and could still be hooked depending on its whim.
Source: 9to5Google