Home button overhaul for the iPhone 6?

hyteprosectorhyteprosector
Posted:
in Future Apple Hardware edited January 2014


Stick with me on this one.  Read it all the way through.  Some of the things I'm about to mention are going to make you want to jump right to comments.  Instead. If you would, please hear this whole idea out to the end.



Jony made the prototype that I'm about to explain (Roughly 18-22 months ago) but it was shut down.  The prototype was for an iPhone with an ovular home button had capacitive touch functions as well.  From the people I've talked to, it was probably shut down at the point in time where iOS comes on board.  But now that Jony Ive is essentially in control of "the whole widget" when it comes to "Human Interface" on the iPhone, I believe we will see new devices that have oval shaped home buttons.



The majority of Apple's native apps utilize the "Table View" organization of information, and of that majority, again most utilize this function in a large way.  Calandar, Contacts, Phone, Weather, Mail, "Music"/iPod"... the list goes on further.  



For "Music" for instance, once you're at the song you want you're 3 taps in.  The top of the screen is use for navigation a "Back" button of sorts.  Why not remove  the "Back" button and put its functionality on the home button.  No more "Back" buttons and a cleaner UI.  Also... wanna skip a track on your iPod and leave the device in your pocket? Swipe the home button.  Again, forward and back in Safari? Swipe.


 


The uses are endless.  I don't know why this prototype didn't get made.  I believe Jony came across something really Really remarkable and then was shut down from Forstall because it required too much work for Forstall.


 


So ... I'm wicked beat right now.  Cant even get this link to show me the image I had for you guys.  Sorry for any typos I failed to notice.  I'm sure there will  be a lot of "but you forgot to think of" which is probably pretty untrue seeing as how I've been thinking about this for over a year now.  But if you have UI questions about the approach, bring em.  iOS 8 and the iPhone 6 (not 5s) in 2014 will be an even bigger change.







 

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 3
    tallest skiltallest skil Posts: 43,388member


    Originally Posted by HyteProsector View Post


    The prototype was for an iPhone with an ovular home button had capacitive touch functions as well. …I believe we will see new devices that have oval shaped home buttons.



     


    But why? Can you say 'accidental touches'?


     



    Why not remove  the "Back" button and put its functionality on the home button.  No more "Back" buttons and a cleaner UI.



     


    Wait, Browett? Is that you? Look, man, you're no good at running retail. That doesn't mean you can apply the same stuff elsewhere and have it be better.


     


    What happens when the person breaks the button? Because people break their Home Buttons all the dang time. Then not only can they not get to the Springboard, they can't even get back within their applications. 


     



    Also... wanna skip a track on your iPod and leave the device in your pocket? Swipe the home button.  Again, forward and back in Safari? Swipe.



     


    Just, you know, make sure the device faces outward in your pocket.


     




    The uses are endless.  I don't know why this prototype didn't get made.




     


    Personally, I would say it's because the uses end quite quickly.

  • Reply 2 of 3
    hyteprosectorhyteprosector Posts: 180member


    would've expected nothing less from Tallest Skil.  Anyone with an education extending beyond 8th grade wanna give an opinion? 

  • Reply 3 of 3
    glubengluben Posts: 21member


    I seem to remember seeing something about this elsewhere, but I cannot for the life of me remember where exactly.


     


    A very interesting concept though. If anyone sees the mock-ups somewhere, please link to them.

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