Will there be a day the home button will be gone?

[krause734]

With all of the new gestures, it seems like the home button could possibly be the next thing thing to go on the iPhone to give it more screen real estate without making it bigger. With gestures, I rarely use the home button on the iPad. With only the on/off button on top, I could see an edge to edge screen on an iPhone with maybe a side button or gesture for Siri. Does anyone else share my vision?

[adildacoolset]

The home button is good because of the tactile response it provides. I like the home button

[hovscorpion12]

Most likely, Apple may design an iPhone similar to the Galaxy Note II, Blackberry Z10 & Q10...etc.

[Mrbobb]

The "button" is what makes the iPhone and iPhone, BUT I wouldn't mind if they add an alternative way to "go home."

There is already a couple of threads about the button BTW. Maybe we should create a few temporary Stickies that people new post every week: Want Bigger Screen! Want button Gone! Want new OS! Want NFC!

[scapegoat81]

I agree w/ the OP. I think hardware buttons/softkey buttons on mobile device's days are numbered.

[hovscorpion12]

Apple does not necessarily have to rid itself of it. Simply touch sensitive.

[C DM]

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1534268

[FSMBP]

Originally Posted by Appl3FTW

iphone 6 will be groundbreaking and blow everything out of the water again... think circa iphone 4.

How can a minimalist company constantly keep making groundbreaking iPhones? At some point you will be left with the bare-essentials (ex. Look at iMacs from 2005-present, iPod Classic 2004-Present, etc...).

Talking the Home Button away raises issues with Siri, music control on the Lockscreen, etc.

Personally, I would just be happy if they added the option for gestures while still keeping the Home Button.

[SAD*FACED*CLOWN]

there has to be a physical button in case the software does not respond correct?

[Appl3FTW]

they can have another gesture to initiate siri like hold a siri app. they can also replace the home button and put it as a button on the side or something to just press whenever a hard reset is needed.

[Chris092881]

I think I could do without the mute switch, but lets leave the home button alone for the time being.

[E.Lizardo]

Originally Posted by adildacoolset

The home button is good because of the tactile response it provides. I like the home button

This.
Don't forget screenshots.They can make it smaller but I'd still like to have it,especially on the phone,since there is no thumb gesture to replace the button.

[inselstudent]

Originally Posted by SAD*FACED*CLOWN

there has to be a physical button in case the software does not respond correct?

I know what you mean. For instance, when I accidentally open an app and quickly want to close it with the gesture from Zephyr (on a jailbroken iPhone), it fails to react until the app is fully loaded - a click on the home button closes it instantly.
On the other hand, if such gestures were implemented by Apple deep into their OS, I think it'd be feasible to do it fail-safe. I mean, the OS hardly ever fails as it is.

And even if it ever did, I'm sure there are ways to replace the home button's other functions.

[onthecouchagain]

Originally Posted by E.Lizardo

This.
Don't forget screenshots.They can make it smaller but I'd still like to have it,especially on the phone,since there is no thumb gesture to replace the button.

Other phones take screenshots perfectly fine without a physical home button. Just pointing that out.

[Baklava]

BTW: Is the iPhone 5 Home Button smaller than iPhone 4S and below?

[cube]

The main problem is that it is too big.

[ucfgrad93]

I have no problems with the home button. It wouldn't bother me at all if Apple keeps it as is.