“Slide to Unlock” Patented! How Can This Change Android?

“A device with a touch-sensitive display may be unlocked via gestures performed on the touch-sensitive display. The device is unlocked if contact with the display corresponds to a predefined gesture for unlocking the device. The device displays one or more unlock images with respect to which the predefined gesture is to be performed in order to unlock the device. The performance of the predefined gesture with respect to the unlock image may include moving the unlock image to a predefined location and/ or moving the unlock image along a predefined path. The device may also display visual cues of the predefined gesture on the touch screen to remind a user of the gesture. In addition, there is a need for sensory feedback to the user regarding progress towards satisfaction of a user input condition that is required for the transition to occur.”

Apple has won the patent know as “Slide to Unlock.” So what does this mean for Android? Well, for starters in Google’s new platform, Ice Cream Sandwich, Google has introduced the Face to Unlock feature. It allows you to now use the front facing camera to recognize your face, to unlock your Android phone. It’s a pretty cool feature and a new way to unlock your phone. I want to go next level on this, “How will you unlock your phone in the dark if you can’t use a slide to unlock feature?” I am going to leave this one to our users to comment.

Via 9TO5Mac