Android 12 returns Pixel to the “Columbus” feature. What is it for?

Since the introduction of the next version of the system Android 12 we are still a few months apart, but information is already leaking what it should bring. The latest such information is provided by the portal 9to5Google. The feature he writes about for Google Pixel smartphones isn’t that new. It has already appeared in the system in the past.

The feature has already appeared in the developer version of Android 11

He unveiled the portal last year 9to5Google in the first editions of the Developer Preview version of Android 11, a feature codenamed “Columbus”. It was supposed to be a reference to a character from the movie Zombieland and her famous rule Double Tap, which in translation means double tapping. In the developer preview version of Android 11, this was a double-tap gesture for Pixel phones.

By default, this gesture was intended as another easy way to launch Google Now, but could also be configured for various actions on the system. It also worked as a quick way to cancel the timer or snooze the alarm. When the stable version of Android 11 was released, the “Columbus” function was missing.

What will the function be for?

Now it seems that Google is working to return this feature to Google Pixel series smartphones with the upcoming Android 12. According to the portal 9to5Google The short double-tap gesture on the back of the smartphone should have several functions:

• Google Now is activated
• A screenshot is taken
• Pause / resume media playback
• The notification panel opens
• A view of recently launched applications opens

The portal also recalls that last year it sent feedback to Google regarding the “Columbus” function in the Developer Preview version of Android 12. Double-clicking was found to be too sensitive and triggered Google Assistant even in unwanted cases. However, Android 12 should allow you to calibrate the function so that the smartphone responds only to strong double taps. We will find out if the portal’s information is true when the first developer version of Android 12 is released. This should happen during February.