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#PMChallenge - Force touch + | App shortcuts made shorter Feb 16, 2019

mahyunk , Feb 16, 2019 :

Namaste!
A big thanks to the OnePlus team @Ruby G. and others for giving us this opportunity.

Here's my entry to the #PMChallenge
Force touch+ | A new way to interact with app shortcuts

Why would you want to use Force touch+? | LOGIC and
implementation

If you have used the long press you know it saves a lot of time by executing app specific quick actions without opening the app itself. This new function will allow you to select the said quick action without even lifting the finger .......Ta-Da!!

Endless possibilities and can work with most of the app shortcuts.

Here's the stock android version:


How does Force touch+ work?
1) You tap and hold on the app you want to use which triggers the quick action popup
2) Move your finger towards the intended function/action which gets highlighted
3) Release your finger and Voila!

Example
For instance, I want to call Andrea

Spoiler

(she's the girlfriend i wish i had)

I'll tap and hold the phone app icon and flick my thumb towards her icon
and release my thumb for magic to happen

Spoiler

Notice how it tells me that her name's Andrea *chuckles*
Bad joke's aside,
This is useful to know what exactly the action's name is before releasing the thumb

Finally, I can talk now *phew
See it in action


Actions won't trigger unless you release the thumb/finger.
Thus, it prevents accidental triggers and add more control to the gesture.



Possible Advanced Features:​

• Launch frequently used apps from folders.
  • Example, user utilizes force touch+ on the social app folder to launch his desired app without opening the folder.
• Contextual actions can be suggested based on phone's location state.
  • Example, quick actions like write a review or post photos based on the restaurant you're checked in.
• Or a new way to interact with quick tiles. ​
  • Following example shows interaction with WiFi quick tile (useful to switch connections in a jiffy).​

How to drag/drop the app icon?
Normally, if we use drag-flick the app icon will move. Easily solved by adding a move button right next to app info/edit/widgets/uninstall buttons.

Initial concept sketches depicting different layouts based on icon's location on screen
​

TL;DR - #PMChallenge summary
Who are the Users?
Everyone, particularly who use gestures to increase productivity.

What is the proposed function?
An updated version of the long press (tap and hold) that allows the user to select the quick actions without lifting the finger/thumb.

What is the user value?
A more natural and intuitive gesture which is super easy to use and isn't gimmicky

How is your proposed feature superior?
Almost every smartphone manufacturer has it own version of tap and hold (long press) but Force touch+ enables the user to perform actions using a drag-flick gesture.
OnePlus could be the first one to implement such gesture into its smartphones.
OxygenOS has been all about blazing fast UI and UX. Let's make it even faster.
The best part is this feature isn't hardware dependent

How this will be integrated into the OS?
Just replace it with existing tap and hold.
It can be future way to interact with the OS

Will this result in a burden-less experience?
Contrary to its name Force touch+ isn't forced upon users.
They can simply open apps using single tap and do tasks the long way.

Continuing the above example, If i were to call Andrea, i would have to
Tap the phone icon > Tap her contact icon > Call placed
but the productivity increases multi-fold when using force touch+

because now i'll just have to
DRAG - FLICK - RELEASE
in one continuous motion.

Any feedback and suggestion is appreciated​

I know this won't win *sob* but hey, at least i tried.

​