New iPads and iPhones are likely to have no home button, leaks suggest
Getting rid of the iconic button will clear up space on the iPads, so that they can be almost entirely screen
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The new iPads could completely get rid of the iconic home button on their bottom, according to a new leak.
The tablets will as a result be able to get rid of the bezel that goes around the side of the phone and make its front almost entirely screen, according to the report. The redesign will mean that the bigger iPad Pro will be able to keep the same screen size but only take up the same amount of space as the 9.7-inch models, according to the same report.
It has long been rumoured that Apple is looking to get rid of the home button, but it was expected that would come with the next version of the iPhone. That handset, which will make the 10th anniversary of the iPhone, is expected to be made entirely of glass and have no buttons on its front.
But it appears that Apple’s next iPad will be the first to try out not having a home button on its front. The tablet has always had a looser relationship with its button, allowing users to have it any way up and letting people perform the same features as the button by using gestures on the screen.
It will likely use many of the same software tricks when the home button is gone completely. And the other features – like Touch ID – will be performed by a home button embedded in the screen.
Getting rid of the home button in the new iPad will allow Apple to get customers ready for the new iPhone. The tablet’s expected to come out in the first half of 2017, ahead of the new iPhone in September or October of next year.
The iPhone 7 already got rid of the home button as an actual button, instead using vibrations to make it feel like a button is being pressed. It’s thought that was also a step towards the ultimate removal of the button entirely.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments