Rumor has it that HTC will soon launch a phone with high-end specs and a distinctive feature called Edge Sense. The HTC U is said to have sensors along the left and right bezels that will let you control some of the phone’s functions by squeezing.
Now Android Headlines has published more details about the phone, giving us a better idea of what you the Edge Sense feature can do. The information comes from a set of documents that are reportedly “preview materials” for the upcoming phone.
First up, the phone can differentiate short and long squeezes, which gives you two different ways to interact with the phone without touching the screen.
You can then assign different actions to each type of squeeze. Some of the options including:
- Launch camera app (or take a photo)
- Launch Google Assistant
- Launch HTC Sense Companion
- Take a screenshot
- Toggle the flashlight
- Instant recording
- Enable/disable WiFi hotspot
- Lock or unlock the screen orientation
- Launch a specific app
The phone is said to feature a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor, up to 6GB of RAM, up to 128GB of storage, a 5.5 inch, 2560 x 1440 pixel display, and a 3,000 mAh battery. The HTC U reportedly features a USB Type-C port, but no headphone jack.
In addition to the Edge Sense feature, there’s also a touch sensor in the home key that can detect fingerprints.
I would like to see HTC get rid of the power button and volume rocker.
And use the device-squeeze as the button.
Of course, you would be able to put those buttons On-Screen or in the Notifications Shade.
It could make for an interesting device.
Something really slick looking… maybe they could adopt such navigation as a ecosystem type
(eg/ Android TV, Android PC, Android Auto etc etc). It’s one of the strong points of making the UX centered around the screen.