Apple’s 3D Touch display used to weigh objects in new video

Here’s a use for your iPhone 6s’ 3D Touch feature you may not have thought of before: acting as a set of mini kitchen scales.

The feature adds a whole new level of interaction to the smartphone’s UI.

“Here’s a quick video of a little demo app I made using the iPhone 6S’s 3D touch to display the weights of plums (relative to the phone’s maximum possible force)”, said Gladman on the video blurb on YouTube. It is however unclear if Xiaomi is developing its own technology, or if it plans on adopting Synaptics” “Clear Force’ technology. The basic premise of Synaptics’ technology is similar to 3D Touch, and the company is extending this technology to other companies manufacturing Android devices.

Xiaomi is not the only company working on bringing this technology to its smartphones.

Huawei has announced a “Force Touch” phone a few weeks before Apple. The ClearPad S3708 actually has support for 3D Touch and Side Touch, but only the latter is enabled in the Mi4c.

Not only Xiaomi but also Samsung is looking forward deploying the feature in its devices.

The big advantage 3D Touch has over the traditional long press is the speed at which the UI reacts and a user can perform an action. Huawei recently introduced the Mate S which uses the same technology, where users can apply pressure on the screen to magnify pictures, play games, etc. The Huawei Mate S’ screen can also be used to measure objects, claims the company.

But there’s a downside to 3D Touch. With this technology, not only taps and presses, but also deep press can be recognised. However, one can not determine if the technology will make its way to the upcoming Mi5 flagship.

The app is not now available for download, but Gladman has put the source code online for those who might be interested in having a shot at it.