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A man looks at his Apple iPad in front an Apple logo outside an Apple store in downtown Shanghai March 16, 2012. Reuters/Aly Song

Apple is expected to introduce Force Touch to the next set of iPhones. This technology will allow the devices to distinguish between a light tap and a deeper press to enable a wide range of new gestures.

Force Touch has been built into the Apple Watch, Retina MacBook and the newest Retina MacBook Pros. Thus, giving a lot of edge and adding a whole new dimension to the way the devices work. On the Apple Watch, the technology is used within apps to access different settings. On the Mac, Force Touch can preview links in Safari, accelerate rewind or fast forward speed in iMovie and so on.

According to 9to5Mac, the iOS version of Force Touch is known internally as “Orb.” On the iPhones Force Touch will be used as a way to access shortcuts, pull up menus and activate new functions. It might also allow users to skip existing lists of options or button presses and pass over certain screens.

On the new iPhones, Force Touch will be represented in three ways:

  • No additional user interface as with the subtle integration on the new MacBooks
  • A user interface that appears surrounding the finger where the Force Touch gesture is conducted
  • A shortcut list toward the bottom of the display similar to options list across iOS

Using Force Touch in Maps

In Maps, users will able to Force Touch a specific destination to immediately launch the turn-by-turn directions to get there. Currently on Maps, users have to tap a navigation symbol and then a “Start” button. Force Touch will help simplify that experience.

Using Force Touch in Music

In the Music app, applying Force Touch would mean pressing the “More Options” button. This would launch options to add a song to a playlist or to download for offline listening.

Using Force Touch in Safari

Force Touch on Safari will give quick previews. Users can Force Touch a link on Safari to see a preview of the webpage, get a glimpse of where it is located on a map. The technology can also be used to view contact info or even the user can Force Touch a word to look up its definition.

Apple is also currently testing a new functionality that will let users customise what happens when they Force Touch an app on the Home screen. The new iPhones will be sporting a faster A9 chip in addition to 2GB of RAM, faster LTE speeds and more efficient chips for better battery life. It is also being speculated that the upcoming giant screen 12.9-inch iPads will also feature a Force Touch display.

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