Would it be possible for apple to eliminate the home button?

[TruckdriverSean]

I've seen a news article about a jailbreak hack allowing just that... Using the capacitive TouchID ring to serve as a home button press.

I'll let them beta test the idea.

Seriously. It may work, it may not. But nothing is a better test then a cydia tweak.

And let us not forget that lots of future iOS features are jailbreak tweaks first.

 

[lordofthereef]

I wouldn't have an issue with it.

It's not about "work involved", but rather an experience. The same argument was made when people wanted quicker access to wifi/bluetooth toggles. Was it a lot of work to go into setting? No, but that was never the point.

 

[cynics]

I don't get this "accidental click" at least for the on screen buttons.

You are no more likely to press the on screen home button then you are any other button on the screen. And if you DO have a problem pressing on screen buttons then it's a moot point, because you are already doing it anyway.

Software replacing hardware is generally always a step forward.

Nothing wrong with the home button but it's just so archaic. It utilizes a lot of space with such little function, one click - home, two click - multitasking app view, three click - certain accessibility options. Should they keep going? 45 clicks - email app. Why do people cling to this so much it's barely even a good way of doing things anymore.

 

[I7guy]

I don't get this "accidental click" at least for the on screen buttons.

You are no more likely to press the on screen home button then you are any other button on the screen. And if you DO have a problem pressing on screen buttons then it's a moot point, because you are already doing it anyway.

Software replacing hardware is generally always a step forward.

Nothing wrong with the home button but it's just so archaic. It utilizes a lot of space with such little function, one click - home, two click - multitasking app view, three click - certain accessibility options. Should they keep going? 45 clicks - email app. Why do people cling to this so much it's barely even a good way of doing things anymore.

I would actually like an off switch that disconnects the battery. I dislike phones that have all software widgets...I like my hardware widget.

 

[cynics]

I would actually like an off switch that disconnects the battery. I dislike phones that have all software widgets...I like my hardware widget.

I'm not following, maybe I'm just misunderstanding. The current iPhone hardware buttons activate software. Hence when you hold down the power button a screen pops up that says "Slide to power off".

The power button isn't like a light switch that disconnects the battery from the logic board.

Plus phone with on screen buttons still have a power and volume buttons. Just not a home button.

 

[oVerboost]

I've seen a news article about a jailbreak hack allowing just that... Using the capacitive TouchID ring to serve as a home button press.



I'll let them beta test the idea.



Seriously. It may work, it may not. But nothing is a better test then a cydia tweak.



And let us not forget that lots of future iOS features are jailbreak tweaks first.

The jailbreak feature works okay, however it doesn't allow you to add or take away fingerprints scanned. Plus it uses more battery as it continuously searches for touch etc.

 

[ttinc]

How about this idea...make a swipe up from the bottom bring up a a row of icons just like what's the row in Android that's always there and instead of having a "back" button, replace it with a control center button. Then it could be CC, home and task switcher when you pull up from the bottom and also it will only be there when you want it, thus allowing even more screen real estate to be used when the menu is hidden by default.

 

[LV426]

A lot of people myself included are becoming a bit tired of having a physical home button, smooth glass tapping on the screen, then a physical whack of a pretty clicky 5S button.

The 5s is clearly capable of detecting that your finger is present on the button, so why doesn't apple allow people to tap the home button on the 5S to be used as a home button, it would make for a great experience and sure could be done in a firmware update.

I agree. It does seem a bit clunky.

On the other hand, it does have its uses... like for taking a screen grab. Touch ID may well be able to recognise that you've got your finger on the button, but it takes processing and time to do that. Clicking the home and power buttons to do a screen grab is always going to be detected instantaneously.

 

[617aircav]

Apple is keeping the home button. The phone sure can be used without one, and as proven can be used with one.

 

[mtneer]

I hope that they do get rid of the physical button. The physical buttons are the first things to fail on my iPad's and iPhone's; even before the battery starts to give out. I've been using my old iPad 3 with finger swipes and smart cover locking for the past 6 months or so. Old iPhone's do not have any finger swipes, so you are even more dependent on the button.

That said, I would obviously expect Apple being Apple, to get the implementation done right and not in a clunky way.

 

[eastercat]

I love the button. Apple could convince me to try a virtual, but that's because they'd be able to integrate it correctly.

 

[jav6454]

[...]

Apple fans, please tell me what do you think of this. Do you prefer the old fashion way or you are on the same page with me.

No, it won't be possible. Remember, there is something called DFU mode that requires the home button. Besides, with Touch ID and Siri, the Home button has become much more important to the iPhone.

 

[iCore24]

Um, are you guys forgetting about touch I.D?

How are they going to make a fingerprint scanner directly in the actual touch screen display? Make the whole screen have a scanner under it? NO

We need the button to use touch I.d

There is a .001% they will get rid of the home button. I do agree though they will implant some touch gestures for the actual button and maybe even restting the finger in the button to unlock instead of pressing it first.

 

[ucfgrad93]

I like the physical home button on the iPhone. I hope Apple keeps it. It is one of the things I miss on my HTC One.

 

[HCO]

There is a jailbreak tweak that does that. Very exact thing

 

[carjakester]

using the virtual home tweak i could easily see apple implementing this in the future. will they? probably not, but it is very easy just to put your finger down instead of pressing. as lazy as that sounds.