"Force Touch" and Glass Screen Protectors?

[HEK]

It doesn't on the watch, so there's no reason that it would on the phone.

Well the phone uses a special glass developed for flexibility. And there are 96 force sensors in the added layer below backlight. The watch is one sensor for entire face I believe. If the movie Apple put out showing how 3D touch works is to be believed, the screen glass shows specific deflection, bending of glass at the localized position of the finger push. My concern is that a glass screen cover would mitigate, mute, or spread out this deflection.

I like using the Zagg glass so I am hoping it can still be used with the 3D Touch screen, but I need to see it tried before I would chance it. What worries me is that Apple along with Corning needed to come up with this flexible glass. Means that current glass was too rigid to register properly.

The whole system appears to be rather complex as it utilizes the accelerometer as well to determine if gravity needs to be added or subtracted based on position of phone and any phone movement at time of touch. Molecular distances are being measured here. Space between bottom of glass and sensors below backlight are tiny.

 

[lagwagon]

Just thinking out loud. It was my impression that 3D Touch was more sensitive than Force Touch on the Watch so it made me think about how another layer of glass on top of the screen might interfere and cause the depth of the touch not to be sensed as clearly.

Force Touch and 3D Touch are implemented differently. A glass screen protector will probably have an effect. By adding more glass to the screen you're making it more rigid. Which will change how hard one has to press for Light Press and Hard Press (the two levels of 3D Touch.) How much harder? Who knows, but there will definitely be a difference.

 

[VSMacOne]

Force Touch and 3D Touch are implemented differently. A glass screen protector will probably have an effect. By adding more glass to the screen you're making it more rigid. Which will change how hard one has to press for Light Press and Hard Press (the two levels of 3D Touch.) How much harder? Who knows, but there will definitely be a difference.

My thoughts exactly. I just don't think anyone can know for sure since this implementation is new and nobody has had a chance to see how it really works in various environments. I'm sure we'll hear more about it as reviewers go through the ropes.

 

[HEK]

I dont think the 3D touch knows where you are pressing, it just knows where your finger is making contact with the screen and applies the pressure menu there. So in theory, tempered glass should work fine.

It absolutely knows where you are pressing, and how deep. The special new glass flexes where you push it. With 96 discreet sensors, each sensor will detect a different depth of deflection as you push. Watch Apples video about it.

 

[Zetaprime]

The new glass used in the 6S might actually be good enough that it won't need a screen protector. I have one of those glass ones on my phone now and the protector itself never even got a scratch. I probably could have done without it and will probably skip it this time.

 

[lagwagon]

It absolutely knows where you are pressing, and how deep. The special new glass flexes where you push it. Watch Apples video about it.

Lol. 3D Touch uses the digitizer to determine where you are touching, just like any phone does without 3D Touch. The video is just an illustration to "show" it senses deep pressing. The glass doesn't actually bend only under your finger tip like the video. The 96 sensors detect fraction of a millimetre movement of the glass to determine no press (tap), light press and hard press.

 

[HEK]

Lol. 3D Touch uses the digitizer to determine where you are touching, just like any phone does without 3D Touch. The video is just an illustration to "show" it senses deep pressing. The glass doesn't actually bend only under your finger tip like the video. The 96 sensors detect fraction of a millimetre movement of the glass to determine no press (tap), light press and hard press.

I realize the capacitance location still detects location of where you are touching. I also realize the video exaggerates the amount of glass deflection. But the glass does actually bend, flex as you push it. I doubt you will feel it, as it is very small, but it is flexing. First you say it doesn't move and next sentence you say it moves a fraction of a millimeter. To my engineer's mind a fraction of a millimeter is movement.

Why develope a more flexible glass if it doesn't move? And the fact that there are 96 discreet sensors arranged below the backlight layer tells me the system is detecting specific distortion, movement, at those various locations. The deepest at the finger point, with lessening deflection in all directions as you move away from the finger point,

I can see why this took years to develope and deploy across a huge manufacturing system. I am wondering if there will be a setup screen when you start up the phone first time to set pressure settings. On second thought probably not. That's where the taptic engine feedback comes in. As you press to first depth you get that haptic 10 millisecond feedback, deeper and the longer 15 second feedback.

Very smart, as Apple has created a feedback loop between the user and the phone that I suspect will quickly become intuitive. So no setup is really necessary. The phone will teach it's user what the right pressure requirements are. This is really interesting regarding the use of glass screen protectors. Can't wait to see how they will affect the sensitivity.

If this works anywhere near what Apple expects, the adoption rate by users will be massive. The other phone manufacturers will be scrambling over the next year to duplicate this. Some will try to use long touch as a substitute, but I don't think that will satisfy the consumer. Apple can use touch, the long touch, light press, deeper press all as discreet separate commands.

 

[lagwagon]

I realize the capacitance location still detects location of where you are touching. I also realize the video exaggerates the amount of glass deflection. But the glass does actually bend, flex as you push it. You won't feel it, as it is very small, but it is flexing. First you say it doesn't move and next sentence you say it moves a fraction of a millimeter. To my engineer's mind a fraction of a millimeter is movement.

Why develope a more flexible glass if it doesn't move? And the fact that there are 96 discreet sensors arranged below the backlight layer tells me the system is detecting specific distortion, movement, at those various locations. The deepest at the finger point, with lessening deflection in all direction as you move away from the finger point,

I can see why this took years to develope and deploy across a huge manufacturing system. I am wondering if there will be a setup screen when you start up the phone first time to set pressure settings.

If this works anywhere near what Apple expects, the adoption rate by users will be massive. The other phone manufacturers will be scrambling over the next year to duplicate this. Some will try to use long touch as a substitute, but I don't think that will satisfy the consumer.

I said it doesn't bend/move under your finger like the video you pointed out suggests. That's an illustration. And when I said it moves to detect fractions of a millimetre is not the same as me saying it doesn't bend right under your finger tip like the video. Even the current non s glass will flex ever so slightly if you pressed hard enough and would be enough to pick up if it had the sensors. But they needed it just a bit more flexible so that it was easier to activate.

 

[Steve686]

For visualization, imagine putting a thin sheet of plywood on top of a memory foam mattress.

I think this is what will happen with rigid glass screen protectors.

It's what the protectors are designed to do and that is distribute force along the entire piece of glass and reduce point specific impacts(which is what Touch 3D WANTS to do).

 

[HEK]

For visualization, imagine putting a thin sheet of plywood on top of a memory foam mattress.

I think this is what will happen with rigid glass screen protectors.

It's what the protectors are designed to do and that is distribute force along the entire piece of glass and reduce point specific impacts(which is what Touch 3D WANTS to do).

Good point and good illustration. I feel like a pendulum swinging back and forth from protectors will work to protectors won't work. LOL

 

[Zune55]

I wonder if it will work but since it senses light it seems like it will be no problem

The iPhone comes with better quality glass so you may not need to protect it with screen protectors.

 

[Technarchy]

And yet, every season more comments about fine scratches on the screen. Until its sapphire, it is prone to scratches.

Even then. There are photos of the Apple Watch Edition with screen scratches.

I'll try it with a screen protector and see what happens. I am certain ZAGG will be all over this in the event there is a touch issue and will come up with a better glass solution.

I only use screen glass protectors as they preserve image quality better than plastic ones.

 

[VSMacOne]

The iPhone comes with better quality glass so you may not need to protect it with screen protectors.

I hope so but I'm doubtful.

 

[Zune55]

I hope so but I'm doubtful.

Yes I m hopeful too but they said about it in keynote.

 

[VSMacOne]

Yes I m hopeful too but they said about it in keynote.

Every year they say the glass is stronger and yet every year I'm still able to scratch it from every day wear. Maybe this will be the year it stops.
But honestly the assurance of the glass protector, plus ease of cleaning it and getting to keep all that gunk off the screen is worth is to me. I've been using an $18 protector from Amazon on my 6sPlus and nary a scratch where as my previous 6 managed to get scratches within the first week of use.
So when I get ready to sell the 6Plus in a few weeks it will bring in top dollar.

 

[gaanee]

Stronger glass doesn't mean harder.. stronger would mean it's shatter-resistant not scratch-resistant.

Every year they say the glass is stronger and yet every year I'm still able to scratch it from every day wear. Maybe this will be the year it stops.
But honestly the assurance of the glass protector, plus ease of cleaning it and getting to keep all that gunk off the screen is worth is to me. I've been using an $18 protector from Amazon on my 6sPlus and nary a scratch where as my previous 6 managed to get scratches within the first week of use.
So when I get ready to sell the 6Plus in a few weeks it will bring in top dollar.

 

[danilko1]

I have a rugged case on my 6 Plus. I have broken the glass screen once already.

While using the rugged case, I have bumped and dropped my phone, numerous times. Mostly getting in or out of the car.
The "BEAST" is just big enough that I bump my leg or hip often and drop the phone.

If I can't have tempered glass, I think I am going to have a panic attack.

 

[GadgetBen]

REMOVED NEW THREAD TOPIC

 

[Pez555]

I used to swear by screen protectors. I was so OCD that I wouldn't even use the phone without one on in case my nails or fingers scratched the screen. Must have spend several hundred £ on finding the perfect protector too.

Since a few months ago I've learned to throw them away and use the phone without one. The experience is just so much better without a protector let me tell you.

I'm no longer going to use a protector or case.

The glass protector shouldn't have any impact on the 3D touch though I would imagine.

 

[Glideslope]

Why do you need a screen protector? Especially since the new iPhones have Gorilla Glass 4.

I've never used a screen protector since the 3G. Everyone is different. I can sense the difference the extra layer of glass inhibits touch. Others can't. Purchase a high quality drop rated case with a good edge height.

If you are a naked person then you really do need a glass screen protector, IMO.

 

[AbSoluTc]

Your phone is scratched. It may not be enough to bother you or even notice in normal light, but any time someone tells me they have zero scratches I always make a point to take a quick look to express my "amazement".

EVERY SINGLE person that says this ALWAYS has scratches, albeit perhaps just micro ones that you may not normally notice. It's just the way these phones are. Doesn't matter how careful you are with them if you use it normally.

They may not be deep gouges that distract you in everyday use, but they are there. I use a zagg glass and a slim magpul case and they have saved me innumerable times.

I have 0 scratches. No micro scratches either. The ones you have to tilt your phone a certain way in bright sunlight to see. Yeah, none of those.

So when I say I have no scratches, I mean just that.

 

[bnekic]

I've never used a screen protector since the 3G. Everyone is different. I can sense the difference the extra layer of glass inhibits touch. Others can't. Purchase a high quality drop rated case with a good edge height.

If you are a naked person then you really do need a glass screen protector, IMO.

I go naked with no screen protector

 

[AE14]

this is killing me. I am concerned about making the purchase before hearing if they will work. Logically (at least to me) it would seem to interfere with 3d touch as it can alter the amount of pressure.

 

[unclejamaal]

I've ordered a glass protector , lets see how it goes LOL

 

[mproudfoot]

I actually couldn't really care less about 3D Touch, it's one of the least interesting aspects of the new handsets to me (with the 5mp front camera being the most important, followed by the increased RAM) so I'm going with a glass protector regardless of whether it affects that feature or not. However, for those who are concerned, I'd suggest getting as non glass protector for now, seeing how testing goes, and if it turns out that there's no/minimal impact, you're good to go. Otherwise, bad luck, get use to either using non-glass protectors, no protectors or doing without 3D Touch.