The headlines are buzzing about the new iPhone 6s 3D Force Touch display and as a general now tech consumer some might be getting confused. It’s easy to see why a not so tech savvy consumer could easily get misinformed, with headlines like “iPhone 6s Force Touch feature to be able to ‘sense pressure in 3D” and “iPhones 6s to sport ‘3D Touch Display'”. First let’s clear up the obvious, the iPhone 6s will not have a 3D display and that’s where the confusion comes in. There’s no doubt that Apple leaked the term “3D Force Touch” to the press to stir up buzz over the next iPhone ahead of its launch, it’s what they do best (marketing).
First let’s explain a bit about Force Touch. Force Touch is Apple’s name for haptic feedback which has been around for a long time and has been used in hundreds of smartphones. Force Touch combined with what Apple is calling the Taptic Engine (Apple marketing words), help create 3D Force Touch. Haptic feedback senses the pressure of your finger on the screen and responds to your input and Apple (not the first to do this) is using 3 layers of haptic feedback on its screens. Which means the screen can differentiate between tap, press, and a deeper press.
Think of it as a simple knob on a fan marked 0, 1, 2, 3. Zero is off or in this case your fingers aren’t touching the screen. One is low or in this case a finger tap on the screen. Two is medium or in this case your finger holds the screen down with a bit more pressure to initiate a different response. Three is high or in this case the third click on the screen with slightly more pressure to initiate yet another response. It’s really that simple and nothing 3D about it.
Apple is well known for its marketing prowess, they do a great job of convincing consumers they’re creating something of great value even if it’s been around in other products. In this case, don’t be fooled into thinking the next iPhone has an actual 3D display.
Last Updated on November 27, 2018.
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