I still don't think they can make that work in 3rd party applications though. The home button is here to stay.
lol... you do realize that Apple controls the OS, the core of the phone? The developers are the ones who need to fall in line, not Apple.
Apple will simply make 4 finger gestures unavailable to developers. Developers today can't use the Home button in their apps. It'll be the same with 4 finger gestures.
This is being consistent with Apple's simplicity and the double press for multitasking was making things unnecessarily complex. Going full multitouch makes sense.
Now that this is implemented in iOS4.3, even if they keep the Home button, I won't be using it much myself. Gestures do make things easier if you understand them.
With regards to other functions, the power button in conjunction with the volume button(s) can perform the same tasks. Hold Power+Volume=reset. Hold and release Power+Volume=screenshot. 3 presses Power = Accessibility. Problem solved.
I would like them to disable the slide-to-unlock thing on the iPad. It makes sense on the iPhone, but my iPad just sits on the coffee table when not being used. Having to slide across every time I pick it up is annoying, I want to press the wake button and immediately get started.
With regards to other functions, the power button in conjunction with the volume button(s) can perform the same tasks. Hold Power+Volume=reset. Hold and release Power+Volume=screenshot. 3 presses Power = Accessibility. Problem solved.
I don't think they will remove the home button on iPhone. It's not because it serves other purposes besides going to the home screen like other people said. There are 4 more physical buttons/switch in addition to the home button, so if there is a need to remove the home button, they can just move the functions to other buttons/switch or combination of them.
The real reason that they will not remove the home button on iPhone and go with multi-touch gesture is that it will always require more than one finger to operate the phone. Requiring more than one finger practically means requiring more than one hand. This is absolutely unacceptable for a phone. On iPad, multi-touch gesture may be a great idea, but definitely not on iPhone.
Say by default, the new gestures are on and there is also a "home" button but now it's just a "generic" button...Gestures can be used to access the home screen and multitasking tray as noted...
But the button is there also which could be a user defined function? A user can set it to launch the photo app, the phone, contacts, etc...
If someone has accessibility issues, it can also be set to function as it always has...
Should be like on Macs, four finger swipe down and "exposé" (show all open apps). Four fingers left and you can switch app. Four fingers up and you see the desktop (homescreen).
What I would like to see, instead of PhotoBooth, is "Aperture Light (PLEASE DON'T CALL IT "LITE")" for iPad and/or iPhoto Light for iPhone/iPad. That would be great.
The list could go on and on... But I'll stop here. I can imagine an iPhone/iPad without button though. Just implement multitouch well...
The real reason that they will not remove the home button on iPhone and go with multi-touch gesture is that it will always require more than one finger to operate the phone. Requiring more than one finger practically means requiring more than one hand. This is absolutely unacceptable for a phone. On iPad, multi-touch gesture may be a great idea, but definitely not on iPhone.
That's a very compelling argument to keep the home button. People hold the phone with one hand and operate the touch screen and home button with their thumb.
I do see the reason to eliminate the home button on iPad though. It really is a device with no top, bottom or sides and pressing the home button is clumsy and foreign to the touch experience.
From what I can tell in developer leaks, the gestures are available on the iPad only. Besides, who can swipe 4 fingers on an iPhone let alone pinch 5? I call this as an iPad only thing. No home button on iPad 2.
I doubt developers will have access to multi-touch gestures. I think it'll strictly be for multitasking purposes and avoid exactly that kind of a mess and confusion.
I can use at least 8 fingers on Fruit Ninja HD. My first thought on the multi touch gestures was "can this be disabled by developers?" and as far as I can see it, it needs to be able to be disabled for games. Which means they can't get rid of the home button on the iPad.
The home button is used for so much more than just returning to the home screen. I use it to wake the phone up when locked, double click when locked to access iPod functions, force reset, screen capture, returning to page one of apps when you're on another page. You can't recreate all of this functionality with gestures or you risk adding too many and that means people will find it frustrating to use. With regards to iPhone, someone else also mentioned that taking away the home button means to use gestures you would have to use two hands, this is pretty much unacceptable for a phone.
Bottom line, this is rubbish and the home button is here to stay.
Just my opinion, but if they remove the home button from the iPhone, I probably will not buy it. Buttons allow one hand control on the iPhone. If anything, I would like to see the home button expanded to have a four way rocker for precise cursor control while typing. Also, add buttons aside from it for any number of functions. I'm sorry, but I'm a Luddite when it comes to this aspect of the interface of iOS. Or maybe I have a button fetish.... . However, if these new swipe controls are just an alternative 'choice'(yea I know, 'choice': Go... Er Steve forbid), meh, that's fine. ipad with no button... Maybe, refer to Luddite statement.
With regards to other functions, the power button in conjunction with the volume button(s) can perform the same tasks. Hold Power+Volume=reset. Hold and release Power+Volume=screenshot. 3 presses Power = Accessibility. Problem solved.
I never did like that home button on the iPad. It's a pain in the ass or finger. Okay ass and finger in the same sentence didn't sound right. Anyways either they replace it with a soft button or get rid of it.
How about you just turn the device the other way round, so the home button is top center? The home button is perfectly placed for a quick tap for either thumb. Just small enough so you don't catch it accidentally and just large enough to be able to press with the side of yr thumb. Perfect.
With regards to other functions, the power button in conjunction with the volume button(s) can perform the same tasks. Hold Power+Volume=reset. Hold and release Power+Volume=screenshot. 3 presses Power = Accessibility. Problem solved.
Hideous - what's intuitive about that? Having to read an instruction manual to learn how to use the power button? No thanks... Just leave the home button where it is. Simples.
Best thing that could ever happen to iPhone. It simply takes too much of valuable space that could be used by a larger/wider screen. If you still want a hardware button there are plenty of vacant spaces on the edges.
Understand your point of view, but IMO, the button has a tactile feel in a good ergonomic location for all(left or right hand) users. The Android soft buttons are an excellent example of a poor ergonomic interface, again IMO. Counter arguments?
Best thing that could ever happen to iPhone. It simply takes too much of valuable space that could be used by a larger/wider screen. If you still want a hardware button there are plenty of vacant spaces on the edges.
if there is one usability issue with iPhone it is the lack of a physical button for the camera appp. Make the Home button available to user apps and your problem is solved. I absolute detest the Touch to snap a pic interface.
Comments
Nice!
I still don't think they can make that work in 3rd party applications though. The home button is here to stay.
lol... you do realize that Apple controls the OS, the core of the phone? The developers are the ones who need to fall in line, not Apple.
Apple will simply make 4 finger gestures unavailable to developers. Developers today can't use the Home button in their apps. It'll be the same with 4 finger gestures.
This is being consistent with Apple's simplicity and the double press for multitasking was making things unnecessarily complex. Going full multitouch makes sense.
Now that this is implemented in iOS4.3, even if they keep the Home button, I won't be using it much myself. Gestures do make things easier if you understand them.
With regards to other functions, the power button in conjunction with the volume button(s) can perform the same tasks. Hold Power+Volume=reset. Hold and release Power+Volume=screenshot. 3 presses Power = Accessibility. Problem solved.
Bad idea. Apple is the king of simplicity. Millions expect to find that home button...
I have to agree with you here, I also think the button makes the iOS devices what they are. It makes the "image" Aaple created, complete.
With regards to other functions, the power button in conjunction with the volume button(s) can perform the same tasks. Hold Power+Volume=reset. Hold and release Power+Volume=screenshot. 3 presses Power = Accessibility. Problem solved.
That will make for some nice steady shots.
The real reason that they will not remove the home button on iPhone and go with multi-touch gesture is that it will always require more than one finger to operate the phone. Requiring more than one finger practically means requiring more than one hand. This is absolutely unacceptable for a phone. On iPad, multi-touch gesture may be a great idea, but definitely not on iPhone.
Say by default, the new gestures are on and there is also a "home" button but now it's just a "generic" button...Gestures can be used to access the home screen and multitasking tray as noted...
But the button is there also which could be a user defined function? A user can set it to launch the photo app, the phone, contacts, etc...
If someone has accessibility issues, it can also be set to function as it always has...
Seriously, you've never had an iPad go stupid? A direct switch is comforting in times of no touch response.
What I would like to see, instead of PhotoBooth, is "Aperture Light (PLEASE DON'T CALL IT "LITE")" for iPad and/or iPhoto Light for iPhone/iPad. That would be great.
The list could go on and on... But I'll stop here. I can imagine an iPhone/iPad without button though. Just implement multitouch well...
The real reason that they will not remove the home button on iPhone and go with multi-touch gesture is that it will always require more than one finger to operate the phone. Requiring more than one finger practically means requiring more than one hand. This is absolutely unacceptable for a phone. On iPad, multi-touch gesture may be a great idea, but definitely not on iPhone.
That's a very compelling argument to keep the home button. People hold the phone with one hand and operate the touch screen and home button with their thumb.
I do see the reason to eliminate the home button on iPad though. It really is a device with no top, bottom or sides and pressing the home button is clumsy and foreign to the touch experience.
From what I can tell in developer leaks, the gestures are available on the iPad only. Besides, who can swipe 4 fingers on an iPhone let alone pinch 5? I call this as an iPad only thing. No home button on iPad 2.
I doubt developers will have access to multi-touch gestures. I think it'll strictly be for multitasking purposes and avoid exactly that kind of a mess and confusion.
I can use at least 8 fingers on Fruit Ninja HD. My first thought on the multi touch gestures was "can this be disabled by developers?" and as far as I can see it, it needs to be able to be disabled for games. Which means they can't get rid of the home button on the iPad.
The home button is used for so much more than just returning to the home screen. I use it to wake the phone up when locked, double click when locked to access iPod functions, force reset, screen capture, returning to page one of apps when you're on another page. You can't recreate all of this functionality with gestures or you risk adding too many and that means people will find it frustrating to use. With regards to iPhone, someone else also mentioned that taking away the home button means to use gestures you would have to use two hands, this is pretty much unacceptable for a phone.
Bottom line, this is rubbish and the home button is here to stay.
Any system without redundancy/fat is brittle.
With regards to other functions, the power button in conjunction with the volume button(s) can perform the same tasks. Hold Power+Volume=reset. Hold and release Power+Volume=screenshot. 3 presses Power = Accessibility. Problem solved.
Not sure whether that is the Apple way though!
What Apple currently has is OK I think.
I never did like that home button on the iPad. It's a pain in the ass or finger. Okay ass and finger in the same sentence didn't sound right. Anyways either they replace it with a soft button or get rid of it.
How about you just turn the device the other way round, so the home button is top center? The home button is perfectly placed for a quick tap for either thumb. Just small enough so you don't catch it accidentally and just large enough to be able to press with the side of yr thumb. Perfect.
With regards to other functions, the power button in conjunction with the volume button(s) can perform the same tasks. Hold Power+Volume=reset. Hold and release Power+Volume=screenshot. 3 presses Power = Accessibility. Problem solved.
Hideous - what's intuitive about that? Having to read an instruction manual to learn how to use the power button? No thanks... Just leave the home button where it is. Simples.
Best thing that could ever happen to iPhone. It simply takes too much of valuable space that could be used by a larger/wider screen. If you still want a hardware button there are plenty of vacant spaces on the edges.
Understand your point of view, but IMO, the button has a tactile feel in a good ergonomic location for all(left or right hand) users. The Android soft buttons are an excellent example of a poor ergonomic interface, again IMO. Counter arguments?
A 4-inch screen iPhone anyone?
Yes please. The iPhone is more pocket computer than smartphone so a bigger screen would be great for apps/games.
Best thing that could ever happen to iPhone. It simply takes too much of valuable space that could be used by a larger/wider screen. If you still want a hardware button there are plenty of vacant spaces on the edges.
Totally agree.