Should the next iPad have no home button on the front?

[4DThinker]

But not everyone uses a smart cover.

OK, make the bezel turn on the iPad when you double-tap anywhere on it. Or shake it a little to turn it on. Or say "iPad ON" to it. Or using ASL sign for "O" in front of the camera. Or since it does predictive text so well, just improve that so the iPad itself simply predicts from your usage patterns when you want it on and turns itself on then. Or etc..

My point? Surely someone at Apple is smart enough to come up with a way to eliminate the hard HOME button and still let users easily turn it on and off.

 

[miamialley]

OK, make the bezel turn on the iPad when you double-tap anywhere on it. Or shake it a little to turn it on. Or say "iPad ON" to it. Or using ASL sign for "O" in front of the camera. Or since it does predictive text so well, just improve that so the iPad itself simply predicts from your usage patterns when you want it on and turns itself on then. Or etc..

My point? Surely someone at Apple is smart enough to come up with a way to eliminate the hard HOME button and still let users easily turn it on and off.

They already have a way. Tap the power button.

 

[ditzy]

It is important for those of us with disabilities. I you get rid of the home button the iPad would be useless for me.

 

[miamialley]

It is important for those of us with disabilities. I you get rid of the home button the iPad would be useless for me.

As I said, it doesn't have to be on the front though. It could be on the side or top.

 

[jagolden]

They already have a way. Tap the power button.

The power button is not easy to press when the iPad is in many cases and the magnetic auto on/sleep kicks in when case covers are folde all the way over across the back. I turned off the feature.

 

[jsh1120]

I've been using multitouch gestures since they came out. (legitimately, since I'm a developer) I almost never use the home button anymore, and use the five-finger pinch instead. I wouldn't miss the home button if they got rid of it entirely.

Problem is, the five-finger pinch just isn't possible for some physically disabled people. And I'm sure many people prefer the button. I say leave it where it is. It's not exactly in the way.

Another vote for leaving it alone. My daughter is one of those physically disabled folks who would have a very difficult problem using the five finger pinch gesture. And for those of us who are OCD about fingerprints on the screen and use a stylus almost exclusively, requiring five greasy fingers stained from Doritos to perform such a common operation is just wrong.

 

[miamialley]

The power button is not easy to press when the iPad is in many cases and the magnetic auto on/sleep kicks in when case covers are folde all the way over across the back. I turned off the feature.

Are the magnets they use too strong or is the reach too long? My smart cover doesn't do that.

 

[ditzy]

As I said, it doesn't have to be on the front though. It could be on the side or top.

In other words instead of it being impossible, it would just be difficult. The home button makes sense where it is.

 

[miamialley]

In other words instead of it being impossible, it would just be difficult. The home button makes sense where it is.

I guess I'm not understanding how it's easier if it's on the front of the iPad.

 

[hismikeness]

Are the magnets they use too strong or is the reach too long? My smart cover doesn't do that.

Yeah, mine either. I fold it all the way over most times, but sometimes I fold it in half and hold it in my left hand and navigate/tap with my right. I rarely use the triangle configuration of it.

 

[4DThinker]

They already have a way. Tap the power button.

You missed the point. You also have to use the Home button to go back to Home from an app, access running apps, etc.. It's about about how would you do those things with no hard Home button on the bezel?

 

[singlestick]

It is important for those of us with disabilities. I you get rid of the home button the iPad would be useless for me.

This makes sense. The current Home button accommodates the widest range of users. There is no real point in changing this around.

 

[darngooddesign]

I guess I'm not understanding how it's easier if it's on the front of the iPad.

You can easily see the button regardless of which way your iPad is oriented; however, considering the 2's design hides the buttons from view you would have to feel for the button because you can't see it easily. Also, without a visual maker as to where the bottom of the device is, you won't easily know where the dock connector and other physical buttons are. Moving it off-center would favor either left handed or right handed people, much like the current physical buttons do, depending on where it is located, but unlike the current physical buttons, the home button is used a lot.

 

[ditzy]

You can easily see the button regardless of which way your iPad is oriented; however, considering the 2's design hides the buttons from view you would have to feel for the button because you can't see it easily. Also, without a visual maker as to where the bottom of the device is, you won't easily know where the dock connector and other physical buttons are. Moving it off-center would favor either left handed or right handed people, much like the current physical buttons do, depending on where it is located, but unlike the current physical buttons, the home button is used a lot.

This is definitely the case. I find the other buttons on the iPad difficult to use, not impossible, but difficult. That doesn't bother me because, I hardly ever have to use them. The home button is used all the time, and would annoy me if it was put in a less useable place.

 

[Atamagaii]

Another vote for leaving it alone. My daughter is one of those physically disabled folks who would have a very difficult problem using the five finger pinch gesture. And for those of us who are OCD about fingerprints on the screen and use a stylus almost exclusively, requiring five greasy fingers stained from Doritos to perform such a common operation is just wrong.

Haha, I'm visualising Adrian Monk

 

[MythicFrost]

I voted no, it should be removed. But, maybe not yet. You can simply turn it on with the "sleep" button and use gestures to close apps, etc., but first people need to be familiar with those gestures.

 

[Agent-P]

I turned off the magnetic auto-on/sleep feature because out of 4 different cases, when the cover was folded all t he way around the back it would put the iPad to sleep! I've seen many comments about this happening in case reviews.

Try the Switcheasy Canvas folio case. I use that one and I have no problems with folding the case back all the way. It is slightly on the more expensive side, but it comes with plenty of extras and it is very durable. I'm very pleased with it.

http://www.switcheasy.com/products/CANVAS_iPad2/

 

[darngooddesign]

The home button also lets you easily align it to the dock instead of sliding it around scratching the surface.

 

[lomby]

If the software stuffs up, its always nice to have a physical button

 

[Pigumon]

Home button isn't needed. Either use gestures or sbsettings if you want a virtual button. No need for physical home buttons anymore.

It's the only noticeable button on the iPad and serves as a "panic button". An elderly person can always rest assured if they are stuck, the home button will bring them home, and they can find their way back from there.

I think the only people who have real issues with it simply push too hard on it and wear it out.

 

[erawsd]

I agree, with the new gestures I don't see any reason to keep the home button. It doesn't bother me either way though.

 

[SXR]

I'm kind of attached to the little fella!

Haha, yes me too. I think offering gestures along with the button would give us best of both worlds. Physical and touch based.

 

[jsh1120]

Haha, I'm visualising Adrian Monk

I suppose I should take offense at that but somehow it feels like a compliment. And my OCD is narrowly focused. My wife can tell you I don't worry about messiness in general, just in terms of fingerprints on my screen.