[CFT] Evolution of mBack : Super mBack 2.0 and Super Swipe

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2018-09-01 16:09

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Edited by rohit42 at 2018-09-08 13:40

  
MEIZU 16th and 16th Plus were launched on 8 August with very small top and bottom bezels and almost no side bezels. To make the bottom bezel small and then to follow symmetry (Both top and bottom bezel of same size), MEIZU ditched the mBack and also spent millions to fit everything on top bezel. But as we all know, mBack is a must have thing on Meizu phones since a long time so we have Super mBack 2.0 in both the phones. Before learning more about this newest version of mBack, let’s look at previous versions of mBack -  
  
mBack – The Debut
mBack made its debut on Meizu M2 Note which was launched in China on June 2, 2015. Since then it is used in almost all Meizu phones except a few. From budget oriented M series to Flagship Series – Pro, it can be found on a lot of Meizu phones.

How it works-
  • Tap to go back
  • Press to go to Home Screen
  • Long press to Sleep/Google Search

mBack redefined the navigation system on an Android Phone. Compared to stock android navigation system (3 soft keys), we can perform all action with just one button.

* For task manager, you need to swipe up from left or right of mBack button from bottom of the screen.
That’s not the end. Also a fingerprint sensor is in-built in mBack and it is very fast indeed. I personally do not like Stock Android Navigation and prefer mBack.
*Meizu M2 and M5c are the only phone with mBack without fingerprint sensor.
 

The Odd One
All mBack are of same shape and size except the one on Meizu 15th. mBack on Meizu 15th is circular in shape and is smaller to make the bezel thin. Also it is not an actual physical button. Below is the official introduction -

As physical buttons gradually disappear from phones, we have to figure out how we can improve virtual buttons. The MEIZU 15-series comes with a precisely calibrated built-in haptic engine, which simulates the feeling of pressing a physical button based on various levels of haptic feedback effects, designed for over 40 scenarios. We've also embedded individual pressure sensors into the circular home button. Tap to go back and press to return to the home screen—just like you're used to
 

Super mBack
Super mBack was first used in Meizu M6s which was launched on January 17, 2018. mBack was a huge success, so why Super mBack? Well, 18:9 aspect ratio phone is the trend now and we can’t have thick bezels on an 18:9 phone. They will make it look like a TV Remote. And to make the bezels thin, there are only 2 options – Use smaller mBack button that can fit in thin bezel or Move the mBack to bottom of the screen. Later one is what M6s did. It is a small circular soft key.

How it works-
  • Tap to go back
  • Press to go to Home Screen
  • Long Press to Sleep/Google Search
  • Slide up to access multi-tasking
  • Swipe left/right to switch between apps

You must be thinking that how can we press and long press on a soft key on the screen. Well, it has pressure sensor under the Halo (Super mBack) button. It also has a linear motor to give haptic feedback when you press or long press the button. KKPanda has nicely explained it here.

*M6s has side fingerprint sensor (on right side of phone) and it is first Meizu phone to do so.
 
  
Super mBack 2.0
So here we are. The latest mBack. We got Super mBack in January this year and just after 7 months, a newer version. Why?
Well, it’s not just about 18:9 aspect ratio and thin bezels. Users are moving towards 90%+ screen to body ratio phones which leads to another trend – Notch in the display. Many smartphone companies jumped on the bandwagon and started using Notch after Apple launched iPhone X. But not Meizu. Meizu 16th is great example of how to achieve 90% screen to body ratio without the notch.
Super mBack 2.0 is same as Super mBack but it takes less screen space to provide more screen area to users. It is just like a small thin horizontal line in the bottom of the screen.

How it works-
  • Tap to go back
  • Press to go to Home Screen
  • Long Press to Sleep/Google Search
  • Slide up to access multi-tasking
  • Swipe left/right to switch between apps

There is mEngine with pressure sensor and haptic feedback capabilities.  

* Meizu 16th has fingerprint sensor in the display.  
Super Swipe
Well, that’s not the only navigation option in Meizu 16th. We also have Super Swipe so that users can have full screen area to work in. As the name suggests, it is a gesture based navigation system.

How it works-
  • Short Swipe from left/right/bottom of the screen to go back.
  • Long swipe from left/right/bottom of the screen to go to Home Screen.
  • Long Swipe and hold from left/right/bottom of the screen to access multi-tasking.

 
The option to swipe from left or right too is really helpful in larger display phones where we can’t reach top or bottom of the screen for gestures.
As it is software feature, it can be implemented easily on other Meizu phones too. What do you say, do you want Super Swipe option in your Meizu phone? Also what do you think about this new Super mBack and Super Swipe? Suggestions are also welcome.