Pattern unlock to access applications could be coming soon to Android phones

Privacy is of utmost importance when it comes to our smartphones. But on Android, when you opt to have a pattern lock for that extra bit of security, you have to give up on a variety of shortcuts that you can access straight from the lockscreen. Google has a plan up its sleeve to address this issue.

According to a new patent filed by Google, you might soon be able to access shortcuts to applications, even if you have a pattern lock on your phone, using the pattern lock itself. The patent that has recently been granted to Google showcases that you will be able to set unique pattern locks for specific applications to quick-launch them.

What an idea!

The best part about this patent is that Google has thought about the fact that you may not be able to remember so many patterns for so many different apps. You can set a pattern with options on the last node that lets you pop open a specific application. Neat, isn’t it?

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The concept is simple and yet so clever that you wonder why Google did not think about this before. Android does let you access shortcuts from the screen, provided you have a swipe to unlock set for security. You can touch your finger onto the screen and then swipe to the left or right, up or down to bring up applications. Within the pattern unlock too, you can access only a couple of features like the camera and Google Now, but those work in a limited fashion when your phone is locked.

Android 4.3 Jelly Bean is already out, so you can give up hoping this feature will come to your phones anytime soon. It isn’t sure if Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie will have this feature either, but it would be good on Google if it could add it to the next iteration of Android now that it has been granted the patent.