[guelo]

Android started out with a long-press gesture being prominent throughout the platform but it was eventually deprecated because designers felt that it wasn't very discoverable by users. It's interesting to see Apple going in the other direction, but I'm not sure discoverability will be much better. One of the problems is that even if the majority of apps implement the gesture action consistently it's still very annoying when you come across the random app that doesn't implement it and your 3d-touches are ignored. That forces the user to memorize which apps in which situations obey the gesture which increases the cognitive load.

[nacs]

Long-press has existed on iOS for a long time as well (deleting apps from your homescreen is an example).

"3d touch" works and feels different because of the feedback you get via vibrations and the fact that it feels like you're actually pushing the whole screen down. It's hard to explain but feels natural when you use it.

[guelo]

Feedback doesn't improve discoverability. Apple will try to guide developers as to when and where they should implement the gesture. But not all developers will do it consistently so users will always be guessing if the gesture will do anything.

[happyscrappy]

Apple is fairly strict on developers when integrating new features and the gesture is simple with instant feedback.

[ksk]

You're talking about a tiny sliver of people who are savvy enough to try out this stuff. Most people I know never "try out stuff" when it comes to computers or phones or any other sufficiently complex electronic device. Heck, there is no desire to explore the interface as it exists now. Sure, if you show them some new feature, they might go - that's cool, and never think about it again. They see these things as simple patterns - To do this operation I do that and that's that. And whats interesting is this applies to highly intelligent people. I work with scientists who are extremely intelligent people, and they have trouble with email or installing software.