Google Releases Android Q Final Beta with Changes to Back Gesture

BY Mahit Huilgol

Published 7 Aug 2019

We are just weeks away from Android Q final version release. Google has now seeded the last and final Android Q beta. As expected Google has fixed some bugs and did maintenance. However, Google has changed how the gestures will work.

Here is what Google had to say about the latest Android Q Beta.

We’ve made further refinements to Gesture Navigation in Beta 6 based on user feedback. First, to ensure reliable and consistent operation, there’s a 200dp vertical app exclusion limit for the Back gesture. Second, we’ve added a sensitivity preference setting for the Back gesture.

Vertical App Exclusion lets developers exclude their app from having the back gesture. Quite a few apps function by allowing users to slide through photos, thumbnails, and others. Sometimes the user taps back gesture button while trying to scroll through the menu. The vertical app exclusion will allow users to use features like the seek bar in a video without accidentally triggering the back gesture.

That apart, Google has also baked in a back gesture sensitivity option. As the name suggests, this feature will let you set the sensitivity bar between high and low. So here is how it works, the higher you set the wider will be the region of exclusion. If the sensitivity is set at high the system warns you of possible conflict with app gestures.

Google had received flak over the confusing back gesture and now it seems to have resolved the issue. Meanwhile, Google is releasing a new blog aimed at educating developers about the new gestures and how they can use the same on their apps.

[via TheVerge]