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Newly granted Android patent suggests we might see a pattern unlock that also features app shortcuts

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google-unlock-to-app-patent

Application shortcuts from the lockscreen aren’t exactly a new “thing” in Android. We’ve been enjoying them since the 528MHz days, but unfortunately, there’s never been a way to keep your device securely locked while still enjoying application shortcuts from the lockscreen. It’s always been one or the other and is one of the reason I’ve never bothered with securing my device with a pin/pattern unlock (please don’t rob me).

But it seems those wacky brains at Google are on top of it, or… at least thinking about it, as hinted by this newly granted patent. It’s the familiar pattern lock we all know and love only with a twist. The patent suggests a user defined pattern unlock that can be extended to unlock specific apps. Simply swipe the pattern to unlock, and continue to the next dot to launch the dialer, or continue to another dot for the camera.

Seems pretty neat and we’d love to see a 3rd party lockscreen get the jump on this. While there’s no indication that Google will actually utilize this patent, we wouldn’t mind seeing a pattern unlock like this introduced in Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie (version number unconfirmed).

[USPTO | via Engadget]

Chris Chavez
I've been obsessed with consumer technology for about as long as I can remember, be it video games, photography, or mobile devices. If you can plug it in, I have to own it. Preparing for the day when Android finally becomes self-aware and I get to welcome our new robot overlords.

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18 Comments

  1. I was reading about this early and think it is a brilliant idea. I generally keep my device security free for convenience sake, despite having been a victim of theft and knowing better, but this ability to have a screen lock with shortcuts would mitigate that reasoning to some degree. Although, pattern lock isn’t necessarily the most ideal option when it comes to security it’s a step in the right direction.

  2. this is already a thing.

  3. I know that the device drawn does not matter but why did they choose a Nexus One?

    1. Beautiful phone right there. Timeless.

    2. they could’ve had this idea awhile ago (nexus one days) but not felt it was ready to be implemented or patented until now

  4. apple needs to patent this asap make its own idea

  5. at first i was confused since my phone has app shortcuts on the unlock screen and is perfectly secure, but then i realized i have sense on my phone and this is referring to stock.

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      I was reading about this early
      and think it is a brilliant idea. I generally keep my device security
      free for convenience sake, despite having been a victim of theft and
      knowing better, but this ability to have a screen lock with shortcuts
      would mitigate that reasoning to some degree. Although, pattern lock
      isn’t necessarily the most ideal option when it comes to security it’s a
      step in the right direction.

  6. I like that idea a lot!

  7. This is a cool idea, but it sucks Google is forced to patent every little aspect of Android now.

    1. Indeed, but no one wants to see Apple jump in, patent it and then sue the crap out of everyone for using their “innovation”

      1. I hope google won’t copy Apple anymore. I want google to invent their own stuff and stop copying features of iOS and its looks. I want google to innovate like Apple!!!

        1. Actually, it’s been Apple copying Android for at least the last two major versions of iOS.

        2. Do tell which features Google’s Android copied from Apple’s iOS. We’re all waiting to hear this absolute nonsense. Here’s a short list of what Apple took from Android:
          -“Notification center” which Android had from the start but only really developed in 4.0. Before iOS 5 (I think) nothing like it ever existed on iOS, and was instead those notification bubbles that popped up in the middle of whatever you were doing.
          -The quick shortcut area (Bluetooth, Wifi, Data, toggles volume/music control, etc) that just came into being on iOS 7, has been a part of Android for the better part of 3 years on some phones (mainly Samsung).
          -“Multitasking” which Android has had from day 1, was only instituted in something like iOS 3, and has recently been updated in iOS 7 to look and function more like, you guessed it, Android’s multitasking.
          -“Airdrop” to mirror S Beam/Android Beam, which has been around since about Android 4.0.
          So again, do tell what features Google took from Apple.

          1. Your sarcasm sense must be off

        3. That must be some nice crack you’re smokin

        4. WTF!? This used to say “Get phat & party on”. Why you changed your name?

  8. apple will still sue samsung :) /s

    because that emergency call button has rectangle with rounded corners :)

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