Google's upcoming phone may let you launch apps by squeezing it

• The Google Pixel 2 might let you squeeze it to activate certain functions.
• Details were revealed in teardowns of Google code.
• The squeeze function is reportedly called "Active Edge."

One possible interesting feature of 's upcoming : You might be able to squeeze it to open apps.

Lines of code spotted by blog 9to5Google reference a new "Active Edge" setting that, with a squeeze gesture, can launch Google Assistant.

The thought of squeezing your smartphone might sound outlandish, but it shouldn't.

Rumor has it HTC is building at least one of Google's expected Pixel 2 smartphones (LG is apparently building a larger Pixel 2 XL.) HTC's latest handset, the U11, allows users to squeeze the edges to launch applications such as the camera, Amazon Alexa and more. Different squeeze strengths can launch different apps, too.

If HTC really is building the phone — again, not outlandish since HTC built the current crop of Pixel smartphones — then Google would be smart to adopt the convenient and fun feature.

At the very least, it's one we won't see in the .

Read the full report on 9to5Google.