A new beta build of OS X Yosemite 10.10.3 has been seeded to developers this morning alongside the release of iOS 8.3 beta 3. The new update is available in the Mac Dev Center or via a software update, and comes two weeks after Apple released the second OS X 10.10.3 beta to developers.
The biggest new feature added in today’s beta is the inclusion of a new set of developers APIs that work with the Force Touch trackpad in the new MacBook and Macbook Pro. The new APIs will allow developers to add a new dimension of control and interactivity to their apps.
Here’s some of the new features developers can add:
Force click. Apps can have any button, control, or region on the screen respond to a press of stronger pressure. This Force click can provide a shortcut to additional functionality within the app.
Accelerators. Pressure sensitivity in the trackpad enables apps to give users greater control. For instance the fast-forward button in media playback can speed up as pressure increases.
Pressure sensitivity. Drawing and other creative apps can take advantage of the pressure-sensing capabilities of the trackpad to make lines thicker or give the brush a changing style.
Drag and Drop. Apps can add the springLoaded property to their controls so they can react to a Force click gesture while in the middle of performing a drag, for instance to immediately open a new target for the drop.
Buster Hein is a freelance writer who lives in Phoenix, Arizona. Twitter: @bst3r.
One response to “Apple adds Force Touch APIs in latest OS X beta”
Here’s hoping that this technology is made available in an update to the Magic Trackpad and Mac OS 10.9. Or at least provide a ‘graphics rollback’ feature in 10.10 to save the world from visual torment.