Apple’s Double-Tap: A Tiny Step into the Future of Gestural Interfaces

The Apple Watch's Double-Tap Feature Exceeds Expectations and Leaves Me Wanting More

The Apple Watch’s double-tap gesture is surprisingly awesome and I need more of it.

Apple has done it again! With the release of the latest Apple Watches, they have introduced a new double-tap gesture that has people tapping their fingers like crazy. Whether it’s on a walk or on the train, we can’t help but imagine all the possibilities this little gesture holds. It’s like having a secret superpower at our fingertips.

This double-tap feature is just the beginning. It is a mere taste of what’s to come. Apple’s grand plan involves a combination AR/VR headset called the Vision Pro that will revolutionize the way we interact with technology. This bold product will fold all of iOS into a mixed-reality interface, relying on eye and hand tracking for control. And yes, double-tapping will play a significant role in this futuristic device.

Now, don’t get too excited just yet. The current iteration of the Apple Watch double-tap gesture is not quite there. It’s a bit laggy and limited in its capabilities. But fear not! This is just the beginning. I believe this gesture will evolve, improve, and make its way into other wearable devices made by different companies.

A Foot in the Door on New Ideas

Let’s clarify one thing: the double-tap on the Apple Watch is not the same as the double-tap on the Vision Pro. They utilize different technologies to achieve the same result. While the watch relies on optical heart rate and accelerometer/gyroscope measurements, the Vision Pro uses external cameras to sense hand motion. However, the similarities between these gestures are no accident.

Companies like Meta have already painted a picture of a future where wrist trackers and headsets merge seamlessly. In their vision, advanced input technologies like electromyography (EMG) accurately detect hand motions. But until then, we will witness a period where watches evolve their gesture awareness without relying on EMG technology. Just like how early phones showcased augmented-reality effects using basic cameras and motion detection before more advanced sensors were introduced, we are currently witnessing the beginnings of “good enough” gesture tracking. It’s only a matter of time before more sophisticated sensors refine these capabilities even further.

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It Needs to Be More Frictionless

The concept of gestural inputs extends beyond the realms of VR and AR. It reminds me of Google’s Soli, the radar-based sensors designed to eliminate the need for screens or buttons at home. For this technology to truly take off, it needs to be seamless and intuitive. Unfortunately, we won’t know if it achieves that until we spend some time living with it. Personally, I tend to stick to what I know and often overlook new shortcuts and features. Although I have mastered certain gestures in VR, I still forget to use voice commands. So, the question remains, will Apple’s double-tap gesture truly enhance our user experience?

The best example of the current double-tap magic can be seen when messages pop up on the Apple Watch. Each phase of double-tapping triggers a different function, making the quick response process so much smoother. However, there are still some limitations. For instance, you can only stop timers, not start them. While you can navigate through basic widget panes on watch faces, you can’t open them with a double-tap. And let’s not forget Siri; there’s still some work to be done to synchronize it with the double-tap feature.

Why This Will Matter

I’m not just excited about double-tap gestures; I’m excited about the future of spatial computing that Apple envisions. The Vision Pro, a revolutionary wrap-around headset controlled solely by hand and eye movements, offers a glimpse into what lies ahead. While the current controls are basic, we can’t help but wonder if faster, more efficient commands will become possible. Will there be quick moves and commands, similar to the multifinger gestures on trackpads or keyboard shortcuts? Could our trusty Apple Watch, with its discreet display, be the reliable companion we need? Or could it join forces with other gestures on the Vision Pro?

At this point, we’re just scratching the surface of what gestures can do. While VR headsets currently rely on standard game controller-type inputs and limited hand gestures, Apple is pushing the boundaries of input technology, and Meta is on a similar journey. But Apple has a head start. Their smartwatch gestures, though not yet connected to VR and AR, bring us one step closer to a revolutionary gestural language.

Imagine if these commands could extend beyond watches. Could we use them on iPads, Macs, TVs, or any other device? That’s the beauty of ambient computing—the ability to seamlessly interact with technology across various platforms. No company has fully unlocked this new gestural language for everyday use yet, but with baby steps like the double-tap gesture, we inch closer to that future.

So, let’s keep tapping away, one tap at a time, as we eagerly await the day when our wildest gestural dreams become a reality.

Readers: Have you tried the double-tap gesture on the Apple Watch? How do you think it will shape the future of technology? Share your thoughts below!

• apple
• Augmented Reality
• Virtual Reality
• watchos
• wearables