Force Touch

The text editing feature on iOS has always been an issue. Using your finger to drag the blue cursor across your display not only blocked what you were trying to edit, but it was like trying to drop a needle down a small crack. Sometimes the copy and paste options would pop up for no reason, or you would begin highlighting text when you didn't want to. It could be a real nightmare trying to edit a text message or email, until Apple introduced the Force Touch trackpad.

One of the clearest iPhone 7 images yet has leaked over at Nowhereelse.fr. Showing the back panel of the iPhone 7 case, the photo is further confirmation of design tweaks that have been previously discussed. The reconfigured antenna lines, here in white on a gold colored model, wrap around the edges of the device. A larger opening for the camera is also clearly visible.

What is Force Touch ID? According to a report from Cowen and Company, Apple may debut the technology on the iPhone 7 this fall. Force Touch ID would replace the home button with a capacitive touch sensor to unlock the device. The iPhone 7 concept from designer Yasser Farahi shown above includes a flush home button that avoids using any moving parts.

Apple is said to be testing two configurations of Force Touch technology for the next generation iPhone. Sources told DigiTimes that the new iPhone 6s sensors will be supplied by the same companies manufacturing these panels for Apple Watch. Force Touch makes it possible for devices to discern between a light tap and a heavy press when interacting with the display.

According to the report, a Force Touch sensor layer is likely to be placed below touch panel backlighting. This approach would reduce interference with the in-cell touch panel, however it requires additional components and a new flexible printed circuit design. Another configuration being tested locates the Force Touch sensor directly under the outermost protective screen layer, above the in-cell touch panel.