Google last week started rolling out the second Developer Preview of Android N adding new features such as Launcher shortcuts, Emoji Unicode 9 support, and more. While Google revealed a list of features and fixes it introduced in the Preview 2, some other new features have been discovered that the next version of Android will natively support 3D Touch-like pressure sensitive displays, as well as feature new VR helper services.
According to Phandroid who not just discovered the new feature but also got it working with help of a third-party app developer, the new feature is expected to make an appearance due to requests by OEMs who have already utilised a pressure-sensitive display similar to Apple’s 3D Touch implementation. These may include companies such as Huawei, Gionee and others who have already announced smartphone’s with pressure sensitive displays.
Tagged as “setDynamicShortcuts(List)” the feature allows users to press down on the screen to reveal shortcuts that get to you specific places within an app. This would be enabled on the homescreen for now, but its applications for the same are more in-depth like jumping to the last saved point into a game directly thanks to the shortcut option from the app’s icon.
The developer of the launcher who managed to get it enabled tells that a pressure sensitive display being the fastest option is not the only option to get it enabled. The same developer as seen from Phandroid’s video demo of the feature got it enabled with a swipe down instead.
ArsTechnica discovered, the new Android N preview comes with something called a ‘VR helper service’ or ‘VR Listener’ which is accessible by going into Settings>>Apps>>Configure apps>>Special Access>>VR Helper services.
According to the site, this will most likely work similar to the ‘Notification access’ screen. On the VR Helper list, you will be able to see the apps that are will be able to use the VR API and users can allow or deny the permissions to the app from using this feature.
You will get a permissions warning with regards to VR service which states, “<app name> will be able to run when you are using applications in virtual reality mode.”
This seems to be a pre-cursor to the big VR push that Google is aiming at, most likely with a GearVR like headset which it might announce at the Google I/O next month. According to a Wall Street Journal report, Google is said to be working on its VR headset that does not require a smartphone, computer or game console.
One of the popular features being speculated with regards to VR is the ability of the VR apps to disable the phone’s auto-lock mechanism so that the phone screen does not go into sleep mode when inside the headset.
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