“We have exclusively been told that the reason Apple just added multitouch gestures for the iPad in the latest iOS 4.3 beta is because the iPad will be losing the home button,” Jonathan S. Geller reports for BGR.
“In addition to the home button disappearing from the iPad, we’re told that this change will make its way over to the iPhone as well,” Geller reports.
“Additionally, we’re told Apple’s popular photo-taking application, Photo Booth, will be appearing on the next iPad,” Geller reports. “It’s also very possible that we’ll see iLife apps for iOS unveiled around the iPad 2 release as well.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: If true, and Apple is doing away with the home button, then expect the next-gen iPod touch to be buttonless, too.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “GerMeOnTop” for the heads up.]
And nobody seems to be intrigued by the prospect of GarageBand, iWeb, iPhoto, iDVD (OK, that perhaps not that last one…) arriving on the iOS?
I can’t imagine the amount of joy GarageBand would bring to every working, as well as struggling musician. Having a multi-track studio on a device whose UI was absolutely the most perfect for mixing down music has long been a wet dream for so many musicians. I just can’t wait!
“the iPad will be losing the home button”
There are competing rumors to the exact OPPOSITE.
Result: Bullshite warz. No point.
They will replace the ‘physical’ button with a touch senstive one. voila!
Could you activate a touch-sensitive Home button one-handed, and without looking, in a fingersnap? Very doubtful.
BGR has never gotten a prediction right. Leave it to MDN to be the only news source who quotes these losers. A source that has a proven track record with past design changes has posted a photo of the screen part for the iPhone 5 and it shows not only an edge to edge screen, supported by other reliable rumor sources, but guess what? A home button. You can see a picture of it over at the Mac Rumors site.
It may be just me, but I find the home button a very reassuring thing that keeps “touch” with reality. It’s probably more psychological than anything, but it is nice to know that if things f**k up in the virtual multi-touch world, I can always go home by touching that real button.
And then there’s the leaked shot of the iPhone 5 4″ faceplate with a home button hole. Bezel buttons are not ideal since what do you do when you have a case on your iDevice? And Apple would have to rethink the reboot (top button/home button) method.
Personally, I like the Home button. When jogging, I can leave the iPod Touch locked and one press of the home button makes the Nike+ app announce my current speed and distance travelled. Having to look at the screen will be a lot less intuitive.
Good point – the same goes for iPod listening