When the new Nexus smartphones from Google debut in a few months from now, Android 7.0 Nougat is not the only thing fans of the handset can look forward to.
What else is in store, you ask? The 2016 Nexus smartphone lineup from Google will allegedly benefit from a new gesture, which will enable users to open the notification shade in a jiffy!
According to a report from Android Police, the impending HTC-made models of the Nexus smartphone will tout a swipe fingerprint gesture.
"We've learned that Google plans to introduce a new gesture to open the notification shade using the fingerprint on its new Nexus phones, slated for release later this year," notes the publication.
The publication has also shared a leaked animated image, which looks like an official press render, showing that when a swipe down on the fingerprint reader is done, the users of the 2016 Google Nexus smartphone will be able to espy the alerts/notifications with ease.
This nifty feature may not come across as novel for many people as several Chinese companies already deploy the fingerprint scanner on the handset for additional purposes such clicking selfies, moving the UI, etc. Huawei already has a similar feature on its Honor 5X. However, that said, Google should be lauded for attempting to enhance the functionalities of the fingerprint sensor on the upcoming Nexus handsets.
The fingerprint sensor on the Nexus 5X or the Nexus 6P were merely restricted to performing tasks such as unlocking the handsets or verifying a purchase made on the Play Store. However, with the arrival of the swipe fingerprint scanner gesture, future-gen Nexus smartphone owners will have a handy feature on the tips of their finger!
The leaked render also suggests that the navigation buttons are poised to get a refresh and will benefit from some colors being added to certain symbols. The publication cites multiple sources and claims that the "'flower' home button is alive." It will allegedly get animated when certain actions are performed and will be used to call the Google Assistant.
Moreover, the leaked demo image shows off a phone sporting a blue hue. Reportedly, this is the alleged "Electric Blue" hue which the supposed 5.2-inch HTC Sailfish and the metal-clad 5.5-inch HTC Marlin will sport.
Both the Nexus handsets are rumored to sport a fingerprint scanner on the rear of the device — as illustrated by the leaked demo image as well — which will make it easy for users to swipe down and take a peek at the notifications. If one wishes to disable the feature, a toggle switch will allow to exercise this option.
Whether the swipe fingerprint scanner gesture will make its way to the Nexus 6P or the Nexus 5X or stay restricted to the 2016 Nexus models remains to be seen.
