ぎゅって 下さい！ Squeeze Please!

ぎゅっとする means to squeeze tightly.

It is also the name of an interaction model in the newer generation of Google mobile devices.

This gripping innovation is available on Android smartphones that have Active Edge.

It allows users to wake up their device, activate Google assistant, or silence an incoming call just by squeezing the edges of the handset.

How does it work? 

Rows of pressure sensing gauges are embedded around the edge of the phone. They deform when squeezed, providing inputs to the device OS.

You can only see them if you tear down your phone (or have an x-ray machine).

They work through the phone’s case.  おもしろい！

I’m interested to see what other types of interactions can be designed onto the Active Edge. 

My iPhone loves me too much to let me switch, but if I were an Android-ster I’d give it a try. 

Here’s an entertaining video intro to the concept from Google Japan … 

https://pixeljp.withgoogle.com