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MIUI beta lets you twirl your phone around to launch apps
The LG G8 ThinQ uses its front-facing 3D ToF camera for some interesting functionality, allowing you to control and unlock the phone by waving your finger in front of the screen. But why use your finger when you can wave the actual phone around? That seems to be Xiaomi’s thinking with the latest MIUI China beta.
A Xiaomi employee showed the functionality on Weibo (spotted by XDA-Developers), dubbed 3D Air Gestures. It only seems to be available for the Mi 9 for now, but what does it actually do?
3D Air Gestures apparently lets you “draw a pattern in the air” with your phone in order to launch various apps and services. The Xiaomi employee’s Weibo video (seen below) shows a variety of patterns, such as “drawing” a ‘C’ in order to launch the camera, or a ‘Z’ to open PayPal.
It’s a rather interesting feature and seems to combine Motorola’s Moto Actions and OnePlus screen-off gestures. Motorola’s feature allows you to conduct a chopping motion or a twisting motion with your phone to activate the flashlight or camera app respectively. Meanwhile, OnePlus lets you draw letters on the screen when it’s off in order to launch apps.
One major concern might be the reliability of the 3D Air Gestures though, so Xiaomi will need to work hard to ensure it’s polished. After all, what’s the point of the feature if it doesn’t work half the time or activates in your bag?
Another potential stumbling block could be whether people actually use this feature. Xiaomi might have a tough job convincing consumers that it’s more convenient than unlocking the phone and tapping on the relevant icon. What do you think of 3D Air Gestures? Give us your thoughts in the comments!