Has anyone else noticed the sensor that is inside the home button on the new Mini retina? I noticed it almost immediately when looking at the right angle with the right light. I googled and searched the forums and couldn't find anyone that has mentioned what this is. I'm not sure if the iPad Air also has this sensor but comparing it to my original Mini it's obvious that there is some kind of sensor built into the home button. Any ideas?
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iPad mini iPad Mini Retina sensor inside home button? Pic attached
- Thread starter JBryan84
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First saw it in my kitchen with the all the lights on above me. Just look for it and you'll see it. Odd that no one has noticed it or knows what it's for.
Could it be a notification light? Do you have any other iOS devices you can compare it to other than the iPad mini you mentioned, under the same lighting conditions?
That isn't a metal ring around the home button is it?
Perhaps it's a prototype that got sent out by accident, perhaps with the beginnings of the touchID hardware?
Actually, i have it on my non-retina mini as well from a year ago.
Ha, thanks.
I just got home and checked my retina mini, and I can't see that on my home button.
Looks like your rMini was re-wrapped at the Apple Store because someone bought it and replaced the home screen button with another just to screw around with the next buyer and returned it to the Apple Store with the "Eh, not that great."
Yeah, OP, I can't say this is a normal home button at all. Also, that ring around the home seems mighty odd. One would think this is a prototype home button, but I honestly can't put a finger on what it is.
The ring around the home button looks that way because I have the MIME glass screen protector installed. It's makes the home button a little recessed looking but has curved edges and is by far the best screen protector I've had for any ipad I've owned. But as far as the sensor thing I compared it with my original ipad mini and that definitely does not have the same sensor. I know my iphone 5 did not have that sensor and on my 5s because of the Touch ID and sapphire glass it definitely doesn't have the same looking sensor. So no one else has noticed this sensor, should I take it into an Apple Store and ask them what they say?
Well, that makes perfect sense. I didn't account for a screen protector! I'm gonna have to look into that when I get an rMini next year, thanks!
Taking it to the Apple Store could be something to do, but I hesitate personally from that because those geniuses may not know what that is if it is indeed prototype components and may simply decide to switch it out or do nothing at all, leaving you with no answers as to what it is. If your mini is functioning perfectly, I would suggest sending an email out to Apple directly, maybe a few execs, maybe some folks on the production team, etc., just because I'm not sure the AppleCare department would have any answers to this one. It's possible that no one in Apple would give any answers, too, but this is merely a suggestion!
Here's the thing to keep in mind - if that was a sensor and it was normal, the Silver/White iPad mini would have a black dot on the home button. The white paint would block the sensor. It would be similar to how the light sensor is black on the white iPhone, it would be blocked by the white.
Something odd with your device. Take it back.