Google has received a patent for a feature that could allow future Pixel models to sport a touch sensitive surface on the rear cover of the phone. Or, Google could license the patent to phone manufacturers. Google writes in its filing, "It would be advantageous to have an improved touch sensitive surface that offers additional modes of operation." This rear touchpad could handle many different tasks depending on the app or operation that the user currently has open.
For example, if a music app is open, the rear touchpad would control music volume. If the browser was in use, the rear touchpad could allow the user to zoom in and out or scroll through web pages, all without having to touch the front screen. Photos could be looked at while using the rear touchpad to navigate the photos.
In addition, a "gesture" area on the back of the handset could allow the user to make a circle with their fingers and automatically open a certain app, run a specific feature or handle a function. The user could decide which gestures would be used for specific functions. For example, the phone could be programmed to open the camera by drawing a "C" with the fingers, while making the aforementioned circle could toggle on and off Wi-Fi. The Pixel already has a similar feature with its rear-facing fingerprint scanner. When you use a swipe gesture on the scanner, the notification shade on the front of the device can be controlled.
Recommended For You
Google filed for this patent almost exactly a year ago, and the USPTO published it last week. Of course, there is no guarantee that this will find its way onto a Google Pixel handset, or any handset for that matter.
Google receives a patent for a rear-facing touchpad
Mint Mobile now sells the Google Pixel 10 with a massive $450 discount. The promo is available on select color variants with 128GB of storage. You also get a 12-month unlimited data plan for $180 instead of $360.
Grab the pro-grade, compact Pixel 10 Pro at Mint Mobile with a 12-month unlimited plan, and you can save a huge $475. The data plan comes with a discount, too: 50% off, to be exact.
The high-end Gemini AI-enhanced Pixel 10 Pro XL is now available with a mind-blowing discount. You can now save $700 on the phone, plus 50% off unlimited 12-month plans.
The foldable Pixel 10 Pro Fold is another standout holiday offer. Right now, you can get the device for $400 off at Mint Mobile. On top of that, you save $180 on 12-month unlimited data plans.
Alan, an ardent smartphone enthusiast and a veteran writer at PhoneArena since 2009, has witnessed and chronicled the transformative years of mobile technology. Owning iconic phones from the original iPhone to the iPhone 15 Pro Max, he has seen smartphones evolve into a global phenomenon. Beyond smartphones, Alan has covered the emergence of tablets, smartwatches, and smart speakers.
A discussion is a place, where people can voice their opinion, no matter if it
is positive, neutral or negative. However, when posting, one must stay true to the topic, and not just share some
random thoughts, which are not directly related to the matter.
Things that are NOT allowed:
Off-topic talk - you must stick to the subject of discussion
Offensive, hate speech - if you want to say something, say it politely
Spam/Advertisements - these posts are deleted
Multiple accounts - one person can have only one account
Impersonations and offensive nicknames - these accounts get banned
To help keep our community safe and free from spam, we apply temporary limits to newly created accounts:
New accounts created within the last 24 hours may experience restrictions on how frequently they can
post or comment.
These limits are in place as a precaution and will automatically lift.
Moderation is done by humans. We try to be as objective as possible and moderate with zero bias. If you think a
post should be moderated - please, report it.
Have a question about the rules or why you have been moderated/limited/banned? Please,
contact us.
FCC OKs Cingular\'s purchase of AT&T Wireless
Things that are NOT allowed:
To help keep our community safe and free from spam, we apply temporary limits to newly created accounts: