Both Android 11 and iOS 14 are currently in their first beta forms, with each company highlighting the features they think matter the most through separate online reveals. As with any new software release, it’s impossible for companies to talk about each during these events, so that’s where we often see everyday users dive in and find other cool stuff. That’s starting to happen with iOS 14 since yesterday, where iPhone owners discovered a feature we thought Google would have already made official on its own platform.
You may recall from both Android 11 Developer Preview 1 and 2 that a work-in-progress double-tap gesture was discovered that would allow users to perform custom actions by tapping the backs of their phones. That double-tap gesture could do thing like launch Google Assistant, take screenshots, dismiss a timer, play or pause music, snooze alarms, launch the camera, and more.
With the launch of Android 11 Beta 1, we sort of figured Google would include this new gesture as a part of the feature package, only that didn’t happen, at least yet. Now, Apple is here to steal Google’s spotlight on the idea.
iOS 14 has a “Back Tap” feature in Accessibility settings that lets you customize both double-tap and triple-tap actions. You can apparently use it to open the app switcher or spotlight, take screenshots, and even customize it to do things like open Google Assistant.
iOS 14 has a new Back Tap feature in Accessibility and it's wild. You can perform quick actions by double- or triple-tapping the *back of your iPhone*. Literally quick taps on the back; works with a case on.
These include system actions as well as custom shortcuts. pic.twitter.com/87uJU9qAtu
— Federico Viticci (@viticci) June 23, 2020
Again, Google is (or was) working on this same thing for Android 11 and there’s a chance they will still include it in a later Android 11 build. I hope they do, because I’d use it.
// The Verge
It’s horribly sensitive though. Set your iPhone down and it triggers the double tap almost every time.
WILD
I think android needs a UI refresh now
Eye will never buy an iPhone. This comment section is weird…
My girlfriend said to me yesterday.. but if Eye buy you one you would use it? And Eye said definitely not. Eye’ll never use an iPhone as my phone. Maybe as a music player, but that’s the extent. They’re too simple and that wall of ill ordered apps would drive me insane
Which Eye? Your right or your left?
Ahhhhhh hahahahaha /s
Your nose knows. Trust me!
Ahhhhhh hahahahaha /s
Your nose knows. Trust me!
I’m running the beta of iOS14 on my XS and yes this works for launching Google….come on Droid-Lifers come to the dark side ????
Edit: I guess it works better in “Assisted Touch” too…in ios13 when you have a shortcut programmed to assisted touch it asks you for permission to run. Now it just automatically runs the action, so you can theoretically add a Google Assistant button to your phone.
I’m running the beta of iOS14 on my XS and yes this works for launching Google….come on Droid-Lifers come to the dark side ????
Edit: I guess it works better in “Assisted Touch” too…in ios13 when you have a shortcut programmed to assisted touch it asks you for permission to run. Now it just automatically runs the action, so you can theoretically add a Google Assistant button to your phone.
I’m running the beta of iOS14 on my XS and yes this works for launching Google….come on Droid-Lifers come to the dark side ????
Edit: I guess it works better in “Assisted Touch” too…in ios13 when you have a shortcut programmed to assisted touch it asks you for permission to run. Now it just automatically runs the action, so you can theoretically add a Google Assistant button to your phone.
Yup! This is what MKBHD did… He had a touble tap for Google Assistant… Pretty dang sweet. Now just let me change default Calendar and Maps app and it might make me switch… Yikes!
Same here, just let me use Googles services and im about ready to jump. I already use my ipad a ton but couldnt jump with phones because I am too dependent on googles search and maps on the go. If i could swap Siri with Assistant for always on, or at least have Siri be better AND launch googles services Id be willing to give an iphone a try.
Damn. Two down votes so far (not you guys)…people can’t take a joke lol
Anyway yea default app situation is still annoying. I noticed for the most part though that if you are in Google services they work with other Google service. Ex: if I click on an address in Chrome it will open in Google Maps.
I guess this version they allow you to set default for browser and email but I haven’t played with it….hopefully this is a starting point and they will expand on it.
I might be able to make do with the double tap to bring up assistant, although that doesnt work as well in the car honestly.
Its a shame siri is still just hot garbage. The smart home stuff I have isnt proprietary so no reason I shouldnt be able to use it for smartthings.
Actually tbh. In my experience I’ve noticed Siri to be superior for commands, however Google is better with information.
I really do wish I could have Google Maps as my default though. I loath Apple Maps.
Apple doesnt play with everyones (or almost anyones) smarthome stuff, so even if it was theoretically better at hearing the command its pointless if i cant connect it to smartthings.
My bad I was just talking about in general…not in regards to smart things…I’ve never tried to use Siri for smart devices.
Safari is far better than Google Chrome. Google maps are worse than Waze in term of app itself. Siri and assistant I’m not counting, hardly even used. So, u are not using IP just because u just don’t wanna, u make stupidest excuses.
Yeah, youre completely full of shit…
for curiosity…is getting on an ios beta as easy as it is for getting a beta on a pixel?
Mmm it’s pretty easy but unofficially. First they release developer beta which is out now. Then they release public beta in a few months which is available to everyone.
I don’t feel like finding the video right now. But in iOS there are “profiles” which are is xml files of various settings and stuff inside iOS. I downloaded the iOS 14 developer beta “profile” from the guy’s YouTube video and then once you click install on it shows the iOS 14 beta in your software update section.
So I guess in effect. No it’s not as easy as pixels but still easy.
thanks for the reply… appreciated
No problem. If you have an iPhone and are genuinely curious about installing it..I will see if I can find that video again for you
I’m good, thanks
Omg if you can for real customize it to open an app like Google Assistant then that’ll solve one of my biggest gripes about iOS. Having to say “Hey, Siri, OK, Google” is as lame as it sounds.
Yes, it works 🙂 I have the beta on my XS and you can add a Google Assistant shortcut …additionally they improved the “assisted touch” menu. Prior when you would program an shortcut to the assisted touch it would ask for permission to run the shortcut, now it automatically runs…theoretically you can add a Google Assistant button to your iPhone.
LOL I did the same thing. “Hey, Siri, Get Google” Now it’s just a triple tap. The double is too sensitive.
Is this available for older devices like iphone 7 too?
Word is it’s only available on devices that support tap-to-wake, so iPhone X and onward.
The way I hold my phone this feature wouldn’t be useful to me, but I’d give it a shot to see if I could maybe adapt to it.
So many stupid gestures and shortcuts i never use most of the time. I just want a darn good camera and battery. Have a Pixel 5 as either the Nexus 5 or Pixel 2XL with better cameras and big battery. I buy based on these not if I can triple tap this or more morse code crap.
my favorite from MOTO are the chop and twist actions….every phone needs that. the squeeze action is pretty cool on the Pixel if they made it easier to customize.
Good thing is you don’t have to use gestures or shortcuts, though you may want to start sooner than later. Physical/software buttons are going away quick.
Agreed. I thought I’d miss physical recent, home & back keys, but I haven’t used navigation buttons in over a year.
So don’t use them then. Seems like a pretty simple solution. Meanwhile, all the others who actually use and enjoy gestures can keep using and enjoying them. Everybody wins.