Haptic Touch Rich Notifications Coming to iPhone XR in iOS 12.1.1

Iphone Xr Haptic Touch Credit: CNET
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Apple’s mid-range iPhone XR boasts a number of markedly high-end features like the zippy A12 Bionic, TrueDepth Camera with Face ID and edge-to-edge form-factor with a generous 6.1-inch LRD display. However, in order to keep build costs down, Cupertino ultimately decided against employing its hallmark 3D Touch-enabled pressure-sensing display — a staple of most modern iPhones like the 6s and newer.

In lieu of 3D Touch, the iPhone XR offers a suite of unique long-press gestures, dubbed Haptic Touch. Apple says these gestures are meant to simulate the 3D Touch experience using long-presses and haptic feedback.

Haptic Touch

Haptic Touch is an intuitive, but ultimately, cost-saving solution, that’s simply meant to mimic the 3D Touch experience for users when carrying-out certain tasks. And while some hallmark 3D Touch gestures like ‘Peek and Pop’ won’t ever debut on iPhone XR simply because they rely on the mechanisms of a 3D Touch-enabled display, Apple promised a similar experience for iPhone XR users.

Except, when it hit store shelves just weeks ago, the mid-range iPhone flagship was notably missing Apple’s hyped-up ‘rich notifications’ feature. This allows users to expand their notifications using a long-press and Haptic Touch to simulate a 3D Touch-like experience.

Luckily, the latest iOS 12.1.1 beta release notes revealed on Thursday that these features will be coming soon to iPhone XR as part of the iOS 12.1.1 update.

When Will iOS 12.1.1 be Available?

Apple’s iOS 12.1.1 update is currently in developer beta. And while the company hasn’t established a timeline for its public release yet, we can reasonably expect it before the end of the year.

In addition to bringing Haptic Touch to iPhone XR, the iOS 12.1.1 software update will usher in new and returning features like FaceTime now, the restoration of iOS 11’s popular Live Photo functionality, and a new assortment of Apple Watch Series 4 faces and compilations.

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