One of the “features” of the new Google Pixel phones is the fingerprint scanner gesture that allows the notification shade to be pulled down with a swipe on the scanner. The Nexus 6P and 5X share the same fingerprint scanner as the Pixels, which has left a lot of people wondering if it was possible to port that feature to those devices as well. While we know that unofficially it is possible a lot of people prefer official channels.
Googler Nick Desaulniers waded into a thread over on Reddit and said that they (the 5X and 6P):
… use similar hardware, but older versions of firmware that don’t have gesture support. Updating the firmware used and HAL and some other stuff will take some effort.
Google PR have spoken to Android Police and said that they are currently evaluating a firmware update for the 5X and 6P that will add support for the fingerprint scanner gesture. Considering that Google publicly comment on very little, it is a very positive step that this eventuality may not be too far down the track. Maybe Google will also think about bringing other Pixel exclusives to those Nexus devices soon as well.
This feature was originally one of the Pixel exclusives but hopefully Google will bring it to the Nexus 6P and 5X soon. Of course, those who follow Ausdroid will already have fingerprint scanner gestures operational via the app I wrote about a few days ago, Fingerprint Quick Action.
