Android 12 should bring a double gesture for pixels



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Last year, in the early versions of Android 11 Developer Preview, we found out that Google was developing a new double-tap gesture for Pixel phones. Now it looks like Google is working to bring the Columbus gesture back to Pixel phones with Android 12.

The gesture received the code name “Columbus”, a reference to a character in the film Zombieland and his famous “double tap” rule. By default, this gesture is meant to be another easy way to access the Google Assistant, but it could also be configured internally for various actions. We also found that it worked as a quick way to remove a timer or snooze an alarm.

At the time, we thought that this ‘Columbus’ gesture would replace the ‘Active Edge’ squeeze gesture that all the Pixel 4a, Pixel 4a 5G, and Pixel 5 lack. However, when Android 11 was fully released for Pixel phones, the Columbus double-tap was nowhere to be found.

According to information seen by 9to5Google, Google is working to relaunch Columbus on Google Pixel phones with Android 12 as a “double tap” gesture. By quickly double-tapping the back of your phone, you’ll be able to do one of the little things:

  • Activate the Google Assistant
  • Take a screenshot
  • Pause / resume media playback
  • Open the notification panel
  • Open the recent apps view

One comment we shared when Columbus first arrived in the Android 11 Developer Preview was that the gesture was a bit too sensitive. The new version that comes with Android 12 allows you to adjust your phone to recognize only strengthen button on the back. Or, like other gestures on Android and Pixel phones, the Columbus double tap can be completely disabled.

The first version of Android 11 Developer Preview arrived in mid-February of last year. If Android 12 follows the same pattern, we might only be a matter of weeks before we get our hands on the Double Tap gesture again. That said, Columbus has been unceremoniously removed from Android 11, and it’s still quite possible that it will be removed from Android 12.

Dylan roussel contributed to this article

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