iPhone Home Button That Transforms Into Gaming Joystick Shown in Apple Patent Application

[MacRumors]

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office today published an Apple patent application revealing the company's interest in an iPhone or iPad home button that transitions form its normal functionality into a small joystick for gaming (via Patently Apple).

The "multi-function input device" would serve its normal home button functions, ostensibily with Touch ID and all other current features, but with a simple pressure click would pop up and transform into a slightly elevated thumb joystick.

Home button mode (left) and joystick mode (right)​

A simple push of the elevated home button back into a flush position with the body of the iPhone would return it to its original state when done gaming. Diagrams included in the application show a very low-profile joystick , allowing for some level of physical control while being much smaller than traditional game controller joysticks in order to fit into the thin bodies of iOS devices.

Apple's claims within the patent application note some gamers' hesitancy to play seriously on a smartphone due to the entire set of controls resting on the screen, with their fingers blocking a significant portion of the game's content. The company thinks a built-in solution in form of this new home button could be an acceptable option for those unable or unwilling to carry additional gaming accessories.

As noted by Patently Apple, the patent, with inventor credit going to Colin Ely and Fletcher Rothkopf, was originally filed by the company in the summer of 2013. Though it's highly unlikely this particular technology will show up on the company's next iPhone, presumably launching later this year, like most patents it's still interesting to see what possibilities Apple has considered in the past and the possible directions it may choose to go in the future.

Article Link: iPhone Home Button That Transforms Into Gaming Joystick Shown in Apple Patent Application

 

[Zxxv]

As if the home button doesn't wear out as is. With this it'll be worse... and will apple cover as they'll put it , over use of home button?

 

[128keaton]

Very interesting. I could see this as being something for people with disabilities. Using the joystick and selecting apps while the phone read them out would be super helpful.

 

[I8P'CS]

Joystick to play angry birds, candy crush? Ok then. Besides, some would say "the screens to small to play any real game"

 

[whooleytoo]

That's very clever.. but as above I'd be wary of breaking / wear and tear / dirt and grit getting in under the button and jamming it (as happened with many existing iPhone home buttons). If they can make it durable, and seal it against anything getting in there, I'm all for it!

 

[furi0usbee]

Hope they offer in-store repair on that new home button...

 

[TWSS37]

This would be like playing games with the nub mouse in the middle of my laptop. Pass.

 

[NachoGrande]

Imagine all of the pocket lint that would be trapped under that thing... no thanks... cool idea though.

 

[bacaramac]

Why does this seem so logical? I guess if they find a way to really make this hold up it would be pretty awesome.

 

[evansls]

Can not imagine how many moving parts that will bring to its complexity.

 

[DaveN]

Here comes buttongate where the extended button snags on something and either wrecks the button or what it snags on. /s

 

[JVossos]

More distraction

I love apple products ... they are useful and of course entertaining, but this move looks almost desperate ... trying to find a new reason to flog the wares. I think a quality product that stays up to date is enough. This form of cheap gadgetry makes me NOT want to buy an iPhone. I don't want to own a gaming device, I want to own a phone with powerful features ... which it already has.

This would be like buying a new car with huge spoiler on the back end or a big scoop on the hood .... for kids ... so ... maybe Apple should put out a model called the 'iMatura' ... for those who cannot grow up and keep a more serious model for the rest of us.

 

[darngooddesign]

As if the home button doesn't wear out as is. With this it'll be worse... and will apple cover as they'll put it , over use of home button?

In seven years of owning iPhones, I have never had a home button wear out.

 

[MH01]

Iphone is a quality device, no need to cheapen it with gimmicks like this. I suspect Apple has no intention ever of implementing it, they are just blocking others with a patent. Meh

 

[nws0291]

Just think of all the mountain dew and doritos that will get stuck down in there

 

[newdeal]

looks like a nice way to get pocket lint under my home button

 

[jigzat]

Yes please it would be a nice feature

 

[maflynn]

Clever idea, but it seems kind of fragile in the drawing.

 

[sza]

Sumsung: hmm, we can't copy it this time, since the button we designed is not round...

 

[BrettApple]

Once it's extended, it reminds me a bit of the flat joystick on the PSP.

 

[taptic]

It'll never happen for thinness' sake.

 

[Matthew Yohe]

You'll get crumbs in there.

And that's how you get ants.

 

[kronusdark]

I like the idea, but I would think that a better idea would be touch sensitive home button that could detect swipes. (no moving parts)

 

[cmChimera]

Watch out Nintendo.

 

[fanbrain]

You'll get crumbs in there.

And that's how you get ants.

Ants in your pants.