From Fastcompany

How Force Touch Will Change How You Use The iPhone
  A new iPhone feature-expected to be announced next week-could 
give your phone a very different feel.


Derek Walter
  When Apple introduces its newest iPhones on September 9, the 
company may reveal a new trick that could forever change how you 
interact with an iPhone.
  It's called Force Touch, a technology the company has baked 
into its Apple Watch and newest MacBook trackpads.  It's a strong 
candidate to be the benchmark feature in the widely anticipated 
iPhone 6S and 6S Plus.
  Here are some of the ways Force Touch could change the way you 
use an iPhone.
  Menus
  On the Apple Watch, Force Touch brings up sub-menus when you 
"press" down on the screen like you would a physical button.  
It's a way to bring functionality to such a small space since the 
amount of room you have for swiping and gestures is limited.  
This sub-menu functionality could manifest on the iPhone as a 
stylish and helpful navigation trick that sets this model apart.
  Previews, Definitions, And More
  On the MacBook, Force Touch is possible through Apple's Taptic 
Engine, which measures how much pressure you're applying when 
pressing down.  It allows you to bring up definitions, web page 
previews on links, and other extras.





Apple's Taptic Engine
  On the iPhone, it may work something like this: You open an 
email, and find a web link.  You could force touch on the link to 
get a preview of the website, an option to copy the link, or to 
share it with others.  Or when using Maps, a Force Touch on an 
address might show you a preview of that location.
  Haptic Feedback
  Force Touch on MacBooks and the Apple Watch provides users with 
subtle physical feedback.  For example, when using the Photos 
application on a MacBook to crop and then rotate a photo, you'll 
feel a slight "bump" when the rotation is at zero degrees.  Apple 
outlines how else you'll get minor touchbacks with Maps, 
GarageBand, and other Apple apps.  Just as Apple said its watch 
would be its most "personal" device yet, some of that connection 
may be coming to the iPhone.
  For example, on the iPhone you might get a little haptic touch 
when you've pressed a button to send an email or post a status 
update.  Such a small nuance could take some of the guesswork out 
of interacting with a plane of glass.
  An Awkward Adjustment Phase
  Whenever Apple splashes the tech world with a new innovation, 
its ripples are felt by those who build applications for the 
company's devices.  The big impact for iOS developers and 
designers will be in working Force Touch into their apps while 
trying to keep a consistent experience for those who won't be 
upgrading their current iPhone.





Cat Noone, the cofounder and chief design officer for Liberio, 
says rushing into implementing such a new technology is not 
always the best idea.
  "While Force Touch opens up an entirely new layer of 
interaction for users (if done properly), it's not something I'd 
advise every product to jump on without a research phase," she 
said.  "Because ultimately it comes down to a decision of whether 
or not it serves the users in a delightful and non-obtrusive 
way."
  There's also the risk of confusing users who interact with the 
same app on different devices.  Using a Force Touch-type action 
on an iPhone, for example, won't trigger the same action on all 
the other iPhones out there that don't have this new technology.
  But there's a huge potential for an improved user experience 
with Force Touch.  We'll find out on September 9 exactly how 
Apple plans to integrate this technology into future iPhones.


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