Let's Think about the Home Button

[iPhoneSince2008]

I always see concept videos and rumors, in which iPhone 8 will not have a physical home button and that the screen will cover the entire front, thus the home button will be integrated into the screen. The question that keeps bugging me is how will it work? How would I watch a YouTube video or play a game? Would there always be a black portion of the screen with a round virtual home button or just a transparent circle on the screen? I highly doubt that Apple will do it, waste the space for the home button. Then, the question is - How would it work? No one can't come up with the solution and the detailed explanation of how would Apple make it work? They would never waste the screen space like Android does. During the iPhone presentation, Apple will most likely present the easy and simple way of having a virtual button, yet none of 7 billion people can figure out what it would be like. How do you think Home Button will work then?

 

[Newtons Apple]

As much as I would like to know, there are multiple ways for Apple to handle it. I am betting it will be slick!

 

[blairh]

I always see concept videos and rumors, in which iPhone 8 will not have a physical home button and that the screen will cover the entire front, thus the home button will be integrated into the screen. The question that keeps bugging me is how will it work? How would I watch a YouTube video or play a game? Would there always be a black portion of the screen with a round virtual home button or just a transparent circle on the screen? I highly doubt that Apple will do it, waste the space for the home button. Then, the question is - How would it work? Why no one can't come up with the solution and the detailed explanation of how would Apple make it work? They would never waste the screen space like Android does. During the iPhone presentation, Apple will most likely present the easy and simple way of having a virtual button, yet none of 7 billion people can figure out what it would be like. Why can't concepts be detailed and actually invent? How do you think Home Button will work then?

It's a good question I've been thinking alot about today.

I agree that having a static home button that remains a constant on the screen (like Android) isn't a great solution. I mean it's a fine solution but should we really get excited over something like that? I don't think so.

With respect to videos, I can envision they will go full screen when desired like they do now. When you want to get out of full screen just tap the screen and then minimize.

With other things I'm less certain. One idea I had was that the home button would be rather large and obvious when at the home screen, however it would minimize once you open an app. That way you can use more of the 5.8" screen versus the 5.15" recently rumored. If not, I'm not too crazy about a big ole' home button constantly taking up space on that new screen.

Apple hopefully will come up with a good solution. I would pre-order an iPhone that has a usable 5.8" screen on the footprint of roughly an iPhone 7. I would not if we are talking about a 5.15" usable screen. While sharper and slightly wider than my iPhone 7 screen that doesn't scream 'upgrade' to me.

 

[lordofthereef]

How do you find android implementation as a waste of space? The buttons pop up when you need them. And go away when you don't.

 

[v0lume4]

How do you find android implementation as a waste of space? The buttons pop up when you need them. And go away when you don't.

I personally like Android's implementation of buttons (though I miss a tactile home button -- personal preference), but I think that a possibly better implementation could be something that takes up no screen real estate at all. Perhaps a special force touch in the lower half of the screen that acts as a home button or something. Whether or not there is a not-crappy way to implement a buttonless phone without software buttons is beyond me.

 

[dk001]

I personally like Android's implementation of buttons (though I miss a tactile home button -- personal preference), but I think that a possibly better implementation could be something that takes up no screen real estate at all. Perhaps a special force touch in the lower half of the screen that acts as a home button or something. Whether or not there is a not-crappy way to implement a buttonless phone without software buttons is beyond me.

Whatever solution they come up with should be scalable or transferable to the iPad.
Force touch would be a waste. MO YMMV

 

[borgsauce]

Considering the Touch ID will be implemented into the display, that would mean you'd have to always look at where you place your thumb. Currently, when I reach for my phone from the pocket I'd have my thumb already place on the home button so by the time I'd look at it it would be unlocked and ready for use.

 

[dk001]

Considering the Touch ID will be implemented into the display, that would mean you'd have to always look at where you place your thumb. Currently, when I reach for my phone from the pocket I'd have my thumb already place on the home button so by the time I'd look at it it would be unlocked and ready for use.

Maybe.... be interesting to see what they come up with, if they do. Maybe you can just put it anywhere ....

 

[Applejuiced]

I always see concept videos and rumors, in which iPhone 8 will not have a physical home button and that the screen will cover the entire front, thus the home button will be integrated into the screen. The question that keeps bugging me is how will it work? How would I watch a YouTube video or play a game? Would there always be a black portion of the screen with a round virtual home button or just a transparent circle on the screen? I highly doubt that Apple will do it, waste the space for the home button. Then, the question is - How would it work? Why no one can't come up with the solution and the detailed explanation of how would Apple make it work? They would never waste the screen space like Android does. During the iPhone presentation, Apple will most likely present the easy and simple way of having a virtual button, yet none of 7 billion people can figure out what it would be like. Why can't concepts be detailed and actually invent? How do you think Home Button will work then?

That is a great question.
Im also wondering how it will work if all these rumors are correct.
Also I really like the touch ID on my i7. Its very fast and accurate unlike previous modes.
I would hate to lose the touch ID feature. Not really sure about using the front camera for face recognition instead. Not sure how secure that is to unlock a phone and also when it comes to Apple pay transactions.
What stops one from putting a picture of me in front of the phone to unlock it and get in? Guess its all unknowns for now but Im interested to see how it plays out.

 

[noobinator]

The home button will be gone, and so will TouchID. Facial recognition / retina scanning or something is where they are going I'm afraid.

 

[JM]

Does anyone think they will abandon blind users? That tactile feedback I imagine is important.

 

[borgsauce]

Does that retina sensor or facial recognition work in the dark?

 

[44267547]

The home button will be gone, and so will TouchID. Facial recognition / retina scanning or something is where they are going I'm afraid.

It makes me wonder the future of Touch ID after the Bernadino incident. That said, An Iris scan contains about five times more secure data than a fingerprint.

Fingerprint scanners can inadvertently match someone else's finger print about 1/50,000, where Iris scanner inadvertent rates are somewhere around 1/1,000,000,000.

Iris scanning is highly unique over a fingerprint.

I think Apple is defintely leaning this way and this seams like it could be a reality.

 

[dk001]

Does that retina sensor or facial recognition work in the dark?

Sorry Officer. I was in a fight and cannot unlock my phone. Frackin Siri!

 

[borgsauce]

Sorry Officer. I was in a fight and cannot unlock my phone. Frackin Siri!

There will always be a passcode if the fingers and at least one eye is still intact

 

[diamornte]

Maybe it will be like the Mac OS dock that hides during movies or games/apps and can pop back up when invoked with a swipe up from the bottom or keeping your finger over the Touch ID area of the screen? The dock could have Touch ID, folders or favorite apps all in one bar

 

[0000757]

Does that retina sensor or facial recognition work in the dark?

Yes. Windows Hello and the Galaxy Note 7 operate using an IR camera, which actually is more effective the less light you have.

Iris/Retina scanners work, and they can work well. They work in the light, and in the dark, and even when you have glasses. Just look at the Note 7; the feature was well received. The problem is that it's very slow in comparison to a fingerprint sensor. That's not to say eventually it won't be the standard, but it's much faster to just swipe up and type my PIN on a Windows Hello device, or to just use the fingerprint sensor.

 

[iPhoneSince2008]

I figured it out, guys. I think it will be a TouchBar near the home button, thats what it will be. Think about it: we will have a big screen, then maybe a black tiny stripe, and then another screen, which is a TouchBar, that will serve as a call button, hang up button, favorite contacts, home button, Touch ID, etc. Sounds like the greatest concept of all time to me. I figured it out!