Just when you thought their products couldn’t get any more sophisticated, Apple went and released the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus.
These two brand new iPhones come complete with 3D touch technology – arguably their coolest development yet – and this advanced pressure detection system is set to add a whole new level to the Apple user experience.
DariuszSankowski / Pixabay
In short, it’s still possible to perform those classic commands such as swipe, pinch and tap like you can with the previous models of iPhone, but now, iOS responds in a multitude of ways depending on how hard you push into the screen.
3D touch may take a little getting used to, but once mastered, the possibilities are pretty much endless (as far as smartphones go). To help get you off to a head start, here are a few must try tips, tricks and pearls of wisdom for the Apple iPhone 6S or 6S Plus that will enhance your user experience tenfold.
The Key 3D Touch Features
Peek and Pop
Arguably one of Apple’s most useful new 3D touch features, Peek and Pop gives users the power to preview content (and even act on it) without actually having to open it on a separate screen. We all know how much time can be wasted on switching between tabs (especially when you accidentally delete something) – so when it comes to checking your phone on the go, this is a real winner.
For example, with a light press of the screen, you can Peek at each email in your primary inbox without actually having to enter it. When you find an email you’d like to respond to, you can press a little firmer and Pop into it hassle free.
Live Photos
We all know that these days, smartphones have the capability of capturing incredibly high-quality photos with the tap of a screen; 3D touch technology has taken image snapping to a whole new level.
Live Photos is essentially a way to bring your photos to life by capturing a few seconds of footage when you’re taking a snap on your iPhone – it’s a little like a .GIF, except it can capture audio too. By applying pressure to the screen when documenting your desired image, you can manipulate how much footage you capture and the results are impressive.
Photographic preview
Much akin to Apple’s new Peek and Pop function, the new photo preview option available in the iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus’ pre-installed Camera App is incredibly useful, especially if you’re an Instagram junkie.
Traditionally with iPhone, the last picture you have taken always appears in the bottom left-hand corner of the screen. In order to view it, you would usually be required to tap on the photo and enter your Camera Roll and check it out in full.
With Apple’s new photographic preview feature, you can push on the small image on the bottom left-hand corner of the screen to view an almost full sized version of the image without having to leave the app. Should you want to commit to opening the Camera Roll, all you have to do is press a little harder on the image and enjoy your snap in its full glory.
Quick Actions
When it comes to the hectic work schedules of today’s fast-paced modern world, there is little time to flick your phone until you find the app or function you need, which is why Quick Actions is so effective.
An essential part of the iPhone 6s arsenal, Quick Actions allows you to create bespoke shortcuts to the things you use most, which can be accessed straight from the home screen with just a single swipe or press – a must for anyone who is always on the go (or just plain lazy).
Quick dial in email or iMessage
IOS has always been equipped with a host of nifty shortcuts but its new 3D technology adds a whole new depth to getting in touch with those all-important contacts – whether it’s your mum, a key client, your mobile hairdresser or anyone else for that matter – dropping someone a line has never been easier.
When in iMessage, just press on the small circular profile image of the person you want to connect with to continue the conversation and enjoy a number of contact options such as call, Facetime or message, depending on how hard you press – a sure fire time saving solution with less time wasted on scouring through separate menus.
Multi Touch VS Force Touch VS 3D Touch Technology
Okay, so Apple introduced multi-touch with its inaugural iPhone back in 2007. This of course, is an earlier, more primitive form of touch technology which covers tried and tested actions including pinching, swiping, tapping and grabbing. Although much more effective than the analogue-like phone buttons of yesteryear, multi touch can be sluggish or inaccurate when performing an operation on your smartphone; however, it is still widely used among the iPhone community.
To build on this, Apple introduced a little thing called force touch, which can be found in the Apple Watch and certain types of Macbook trackpads. This slight evolution of multi touch could be referred to as the original version of 3D touch as it does, to some extent, respond to pressure – basically in the way that it can tell the difference between a tap and a press, therefore, creating a second level of commands during operation.
Which brings us to 3D touch. Of course, we’ve already given you an insight into what 3D touch does and the cool things you can do with it, but did you know that Apple’s chief designer Jony Ive has coined it as the next generation of multi touch? As mentioned, 3D touch has been developed to make your phone or iPad feel like an extension of you, using greater levels of sensitivity and super intuitive technology. Pretty cool stuff.
Uses for 3D Touch
Other than superior usability and great features, there are some other handy uses for Apple’s new 3D touch technology. In addition to turning your iPhone 6S into an amazing multi-tasking device with its slick operating system and range of quick actions, it also has a couple of other top uses that make every day smartphone life that little bit easier. Here are two of the best new uses for 3D touch:
Cursor Control (virtual trackpad)
A simple feature maybe, but certainly one that will be used again and again. Apple’s new 3D powered cursor control makes life so much easier when it comes to editing text in anything from iMessage to Twitter – and beyond.
When you’re about to unleash your next Tweet on the world, you can touch up any errors hassle free by hard-pressing anywhere on the system keyboard. Once the individual keys have greyed out (and become temporarily deactivated), you can take full control of your cursor and move it around with ease, using your index finger rather than thumb for even greater accuracy.
Sensitive Drawing
Okay, this particular function isn’t necessarily a time or effort saving function, but it’s very cool none the less. By getting a compatible Paint or Sketch app, you can really get to grips with the capabilities of Apple’s 3D technology, while creating your own mini-masterpieces on-screen.
This feature allows you to move your hand seamlessly across the screen and create different line densities, as well as textures by applying different levels of pressure, almost as if your hand is a high-quality paint brush. Not only is it an exceptional new feature for budding artists and graphic designers, it’s also an instant cure for boredom.
Animated Lock Screen
A very cool feature of the 6s, the animated lock screen not only looks superb with its ability to conjure stunning 3D motion images. This may not help you to be more organised, but it sure will add some vitality to that lifeless phone screen.
A Whole New Way of Multitasking
Most people need to multitask and a simple swipe of the iPhone 6s allows you to juggle a number of things in an instant by taking full advantage of 3D touch technology.
Perform an off-screen swipe to the left-hand edge of the screen and not only will you be able to enjoy Quick Actions and Peek and Pop to help you with your pile of tasks, it will open you up to a wealth of offer touch sensitive features in the form of its shiny new stacked card interface.
3D Touch Apps and Games
Chanzj / Pixabay
Not only does 3D touch make surfing through the iPhone 6S and its integrated features even better, this kind of technology has opened up certain apps and games to a whole new world of wonderment.
In terms of 3D touch apps, Apple’s new Peek and Pop function, amongst others, has improved the user experience for movie streaming service Netflix by offering consumers optimised layouts, 3D touch support, improved user experience and a streamlined performance.
Web browser app Firefox 2.0 has also benefited from a little 3D touch makeover, with added features, specialist support and improved functionality, such as ‘find in page’, which enables users to search the content of a tab for a specific word or phrase.
We all love Google Maps, but with 3D touch, getting accurate directions on the go has never been easier – especially as with a firm touch on the screen, you can pull up directions from work and home in an instant.
If you’re a console freak, 3D touch games will not disappoint – and with more being developed every day, soon the market will be alive with games based apps that add a whole dimension to gaming from a tablet or phone.
Right now, the 3D touch gaming apps that are sure to knock your socks off are futuristic racing game AG drive; gruesome adventure beat ‘em up sequel Badland 2, tactical adventure epic Warhammer 40,000 Freeblade and high-octane real time strategy game Special Tactics Online.