3D Touch was the single biggest selling point of the iPhone 6s, so naturally every other smartphone vendor is tripping over themselves and each other to add their own version of Apple’s pressure-sensitive iPhone feature to their next handset.
Because of this, a new report claims that force sensing module shipments will grow by a whopping 317 percent in 2016 to reach 461 million units. As a result, almost one in four new smartphones shipped will include the technology.
Photo: MacRumors
We’re already starting to see some evidence of Android makers springing into action to rip off Apple.
Samsung’s upcoming next-generation Galaxy S7 is reported to feature 3D Touch gestures baked into its Android software — following Samsung’s long history of “borrowing” whatever new ideas Apple comes up with for its handsets.
Meanwhile, Xiaomi (a company also known for its Apple impressions) is allegedly also planning to include a pressure-sensitive display in its new Mi 5 phone, although it’s said to be running into problems to secure the necessary components.
For its part, Apple clearly realizes that it needs to stay one step ahead of ripoff artists. In this case, it’s achieving it by relying on the ingenuity of app developers — sending out a recent email encouraging devs to make innovative use of the technology when updating their apps.
Source: Digitimes
Luke Dormehl is a U.K.-based journalist and author, with a background working in documentary film for Channel 4 and the BBC. He is the author of The Apple Revolution and The Formula: How Algorithms Solve All Our Problems … and Create More, both published by Penguin/Random House. His tech writing has also appeared in Wired, Fast Company, Techmeme and other publications.
16 responses to “Rival smartphone makers are desperate to rip off 3D Touch”
But Apple never innovates!
Huawei Launched this tech 1st, so yes Apple never does!
Right…because Huawei definitely didn’t copy Force Touch from the Apple Watch. And Huawei definitely didn’t rush out their “feature” just to beat Apple to it.
Go troll an Android blog.
Why do we even care about 3D touch again? Most worthless new feature ever.
Yay, a context menu!
could be interesting, but more for games. for user interfaces, its basically a right click
The same response when iPhone was launched, TouchID was launched, 64 bit processor was launched… you keep calling it a gimmick and the competition will keep copying or adopting it… that is Apple for you.
64bit & touch ID are totally different as they’re all actually useful. 3D touch requires expensive tech that takes up internal space to do what a long click has been always capable of accomplishing. That is why its worthless.
People said similar things about 64 bit and touchid. Once they become standard across you cannot ignore…
Yes let’s leave it to the developers to make this feature “innovative”…. Force touch is an even bigger gimmick than the curved displays on the Samsung Edge line of products… I wonder what worthless “innovative” feature Cupertino is going to come up with next… Of course they have their cult of mindless followers that will overpay for crap… Even Apple thinks lowly of its consumers. I mean look at the battery pack for the 6s, the design screams money grab… An afterthought…
Dont worry… blind android fans will come and say Huawei had this first..without even knowing what it does and why they never bother to put that feature in their phones… these guys are amazing…
Lol ppl are really concerned over technology and who does what and who doesn’t do what? Also, people really think apple invents everything and everyone else should be banned from competing? Oh wait the name of this website should have given me a clue. Looks like a click bait. Sorry you’re not getting your 50cents. Thanks AdBlock Plus!
Anyone remember Windows slates? That was a tablet from 10+ years ago before apple “invented” and patented the already existing ‘prior art”. Many of those tablets had a feature where if you pressed harder with your finger on the screen , the OS would interpret and perform a mouse click. Sound familiar?
The tone of this article is quite outlandish and bordering on childish. “Tripping over themselves”. Really? Is this a respected site or a sweaty gossip circle at the local BINGO?
The arrogance AND ignorance here is both outstanding and humorous at the same time. A really bad mix.
Personally, I wouldn’t be able to write this type of drivel and feel like my career is going in positive directions, and that I’m truly connecting with my readership.
Think it was samsung who trademarked it before apple. And like apple doesnt borrow pretty much 90% of android?
Wonder if the author of this amateurish fan boy literature remembers patented ClickThrough technology created by BlackBerry… in 2008.