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Apple to Remove Home Button From Future iPads and iPhones?
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I could see it going well on the iPad but not on the iPhone. They could add the gestures and keep the home button also, There's no harm in that. But one thing they could do for the iPhone is get rid of the button and jus make it touch sensitive maybe. I mean im sure if they do get rid of it then they do have a great way around it (they get paid to think of these things) but to us, right now, doesn't seem like a good idea for the phone
Device to turn on by just touching the screen (for just longer than a tap). iPhone to keep a record of all your fingerprints and immediately recognise it is you turning it on. Eliminates the need for a passcode screen.
As an iPad user I have to say the home button is just as useful on an iPad as it is on an iPhone. I think these two posts sum up my thoughts and the only way the home button will be removed. iOS 4.3 should make it more clear how easy it really is to use gestures for everything on the iPad.
Edwin
this would be the most stupid thing they can do!
one of the problems of user interfaces is that people don't know in which hierarchy they are in the program. the home button eliminates that problem. whenever and wherever you click it, you are at level 0.
to remove it would be the most stupid thing they can do!
the home button is also the button to switch on the ipad/iphone. with which button would you switch on the device? with a gesture? certainly not, because it would cost way to much energy to constantly power the touchscreen just to switch it on.
this is the wrong thing to save space and production costs!!!
one of the problems of user interfaces is that people don't know in which hierarchy they are in the program. the home button eliminates that problem. whenever and wherever you click it, you are at level 0.
to remove it would be the most stupid thing they can do!
the home button is also the button to switch on the ipad/iphone. with which button would you switch on the device? with a gesture? certainly not, because it would cost way to much energy to constantly power the touchscreen just to switch it on.
this is the wrong thing to save space and production costs!!!
If anything the iPhone needs more buttons. It's a phone. Where the hell is my 'answer the call' button?! When no call is coming in, it should automatically bring up the Phone App. It's a god damned phone!
Joke all you like, about disabled people not being able to use the iPad without a Home button, but my 16-year old son has cerebral palsy and is also a technology addict. He gets by just fine, typing on his MacBook and iPad by typing with his little finger. Without the home button, he would not be able to use an iPad.
For those worrying that you wont be able to use iphone with one hand with physical button gone perhaps you are forgetting about this patent that apple has
Seriously? You still don't get it? Right now a hard reset is mapped to pressing Lock + Home. WIthout a home button, the function will be performed by pressing Lock + Volume.
Again, there are other buttons that would take this job. Alternatively, these are also functions that could be performed with a 3 finger hold on the screen for example.
maybe they will remove the black masking on the iphone and then voila, bigger screen, but same size device. *fingers crossed*
Thank GOD! It's about time.
My number one complaint with my iPhone 3G, the Home Button. It's the most susceptible to breaking, it mars the smooth face of the device, it collects dirt and other crap on your fingers. It was mitigated when I bought a nice Speck case that fully covered the home button but then re-emerged as a problem with my new iPad (and there are no cases that I've seen that cover the home button there). I've wondered for awhile why they didn't borrow from their older iPod classic (I think it was the third generation) that had no moving parts and four touch buttons on the face (obviously only using one touch button).
Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if we saw a new iPhone soon that put the speaker for your ear on the "back" of the device or behind some new screen that allowed sound to travel through it enough to be audible keeping a smooth face. On the iPhone a rear facing ear piece would also mean potential for near 100% screen space on the front face. I think something similar could drag down the size of the iPad's bezel without impacting the size of the screen itself.
My number one complaint with my iPhone 3G, the Home Button. It's the most susceptible to breaking, it mars the smooth face of the device, it collects dirt and other crap on your fingers. It was mitigated when I bought a nice Speck case that fully covered the home button but then re-emerged as a problem with my new iPad (and there are no cases that I've seen that cover the home button there). I've wondered for awhile why they didn't borrow from their older iPod classic (I think it was the third generation) that had no moving parts and four touch buttons on the face (obviously only using one touch button).
Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if we saw a new iPhone soon that put the speaker for your ear on the "back" of the device or behind some new screen that allowed sound to travel through it enough to be audible keeping a smooth face. On the iPhone a rear facing ear piece would also mean potential for near 100% screen space on the front face. I think something similar could drag down the size of the iPad's bezel without impacting the size of the screen itself.
There is no chance of this happening with either device. Silly rumor someone made up last night. How fun!
Worst mockups ever. I imagine there would probably be some differences in the face of the devices.....Like a removal of the black bars. This would be a good way to increase screen size without increasing device size. Though, I agree that the iPhone simply isn't big enough.
here's my opinion on the matter.
iPad? it's a must. iPhone? not now, too early.
iPad
I think taking out the Home Button is a must, because it's just taking space for nothing really. Once we get used to the gestures for Home, Switch Apps and Multitasking Bar (and you all know we WILL ALL eventually get used to those); the home button will not be needed anymore. PLUS, when u get "submerged" into the iPad (specially in landscape mode), sometimes it's kinda awkward looking for the home button to click it.
now, for the people talking about the hard-reset and stuff like that, you still have physical buttons: the lock button and the volume buttons. they can do the volume buttons of the iPad 2, just like the ones of the iPhone 4: separated. that way, to do a hard reset you'll have to press the lock button with one of the volume buttons instead of the Home button.
iPhone
I think it's too early only because, like most people said, the screen of the iPhone is just too small for 4/5 finger swipes and gestures. so it's a no-no. BUT, as far as everything else goes; the hard-reset, the voice command, the double click to open cam (for us who still have that option), it can all be assigned to a single or even both volume buttons. Apple can always find a way.
What do u all think?
[EDIT] on the iPad it would actually look nice, because the space between the screen and the edges is almost the same from all sides. on the iPhone it would just look wrong if they cut it out from below and it would only have that extra cm on top for the earpiece and cam.
iPad? it's a must. iPhone? not now, too early.
iPad
I think taking out the Home Button is a must, because it's just taking space for nothing really. Once we get used to the gestures for Home, Switch Apps and Multitasking Bar (and you all know we WILL ALL eventually get used to those); the home button will not be needed anymore. PLUS, when u get "submerged" into the iPad (specially in landscape mode), sometimes it's kinda awkward looking for the home button to click it.
now, for the people talking about the hard-reset and stuff like that, you still have physical buttons: the lock button and the volume buttons. they can do the volume buttons of the iPad 2, just like the ones of the iPhone 4: separated. that way, to do a hard reset you'll have to press the lock button with one of the volume buttons instead of the Home button.
iPhone
I think it's too early only because, like most people said, the screen of the iPhone is just too small for 4/5 finger swipes and gestures. so it's a no-no. BUT, as far as everything else goes; the hard-reset, the voice command, the double click to open cam (for us who still have that option), it can all be assigned to a single or even both volume buttons. Apple can always find a way.
What do u all think?
[EDIT] on the iPad it would actually look nice, because the space between the screen and the edges is almost the same from all sides. on the iPhone it would just look wrong if they cut it out from below and it would only have that extra cm on top for the earpiece and cam.
Last edited:
death grip replaces home button
i'd suggest the death grip to replace the home button.
just squeeze your iPhone a bit to go back to the home menu,
(no SJ, don't implement a 5-seconds squeeze as a "hard reset" )
however, i do like the id of a button-less iPhone / iPad....
one more thing:
we will hereby rename the iPhone and iPad: introducing the iPinch
i'd suggest the death grip to replace the home button.
just squeeze your iPhone a bit to go back to the home menu,
(no SJ, don't implement a 5-seconds squeeze as a "hard reset"
)however, i do like the id of a button-less iPhone / iPad....
one more thing:
we will hereby rename the iPhone and iPad: introducing the iPinch
I think they should remove it. It's ridiculous as it is. In it's current form, it's not good design, the same button does just about everything on the phone depending on the number of times you press it and how long. If you have to press a button three times just to get a menu to pop, there obviously is something wrong.
If the part under the screen was a touch sensitive strip, it would be interesting. It could recognize how many fingers are on it and even gestures. But it would be separate from the screen so it would be available at all times. It could even do the ipod controls when the device is locked. Swipe right for next track, tap to pause, heck it could even remove the volume control, pinch out to bring volume up, pinch in to volume down... 3 fingers to sleep or make the slide to unlock appear...
If the part under the screen was a touch sensitive strip, it would be interesting. It could recognize how many fingers are on it and even gestures. But it would be separate from the screen so it would be available at all times. It could even do the ipod controls when the device is locked. Swipe right for next track, tap to pause, heck it could even remove the volume control, pinch out to bring volume up, pinch in to volume down... 3 fingers to sleep or make the slide to unlock appear...
What would you replace a double-click with? Double-five-finger-swipe? I'll just tickle the iPad screen then?
Uh, unlock and push the phone button in your dock. Personally I much rather have my contact list in the dock though and bring up the call from the contact. I rarely if ever need to get to "Phone.app" on my iphone or any phone I've had in the last 10 years.
We don't need your antiquated thought processes mucking up progress in design.
RIP Home Button
No need to fret over a disappearing home button. Other buttons/switches can be repurposed to substitute functionality. Between the Power button, volume +/-, and the "multi-function" switch (aka mute or rotation lock) there are plenty physical input methods.
The power button could be adjusted to accept a single short click for "home" a double click for "multitask menu" and a triple click for "power off". Press and hold for a hard reset or forced power off.
Moving the volume into the multi task menu also indicates that we could do away with the volume buttons altogether perhaps.
Let's also not forget that this will all be a moot point in a sooner-than-you-think amount of time. We'll be controlling the iDevices with highly functional voice control, Star Trek style. And not far after that, we'll have thought control.
Am I the only one that still has moments of awe when interacting with these devices and thinking how it is still amazing? Growing up in the 70s and seeing these ideas in TV and movies that really truly exist in the palm of my hand... wow.
No need to fret over a disappearing home button. Other buttons/switches can be repurposed to substitute functionality. Between the Power button, volume +/-, and the "multi-function" switch (aka mute or rotation lock) there are plenty physical input methods.
The power button could be adjusted to accept a single short click for "home" a double click for "multitask menu" and a triple click for "power off". Press and hold for a hard reset or forced power off.
Moving the volume into the multi task menu also indicates that we could do away with the volume buttons altogether perhaps.
Let's also not forget that this will all be a moot point in a sooner-than-you-think amount of time. We'll be controlling the iDevices with highly functional voice control, Star Trek style. And not far after that, we'll have thought control.
Am I the only one that still has moments of awe when interacting with these devices and thinking how it is still amazing? Growing up in the 70s and seeing these ideas in TV and movies that really truly exist in the palm of my hand... wow.
maybe they are doing it to avoid the whole "the iPad is just a giant iPod Touch" issue. now they can say no it isn't look no home button .
.Five finger swipe up. Goes intuitively with the action the screen takes.
Would be nice for a five finger swipe down to completely close an app too from inside the App.
For the iPad I wouldn't miss the home button, I seem to have it upside-down half the time anyway. But for the iPhone, I think I need it since I tend to use it with one hand much of the time.