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Apple's Next Year iPhone Won't Have the Home Button: NYTimes

The reviews for the Apple's new iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus are live today. The New York Times, for instance, has given the smartphone a fairly positive review. However, in the story, the reporter says that the company's next flagship iPhone won't have the home button (Editor's note: the link could be paywalled; here's an alternate source). Instead, the display will serve the purpose of the home button as well, the report added. From the report:Apple is likely to continue making iPhones without headphone jacks, and next year's iPhone will have a full-screen face with the virtual button built directly into the screen, according to two people at the company who spoke on condition of anonymity because the product details are private.

217 comments

  1. Gimme Wireless charging as well by bigdady92 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    and they can close off all the ports completely. let me take the phone under water and all that hoopla about removing the jack will be worth it.

    --
    Wheel of Time: Book by Book and Sumview (summary review) Bigdady92 style: http://bigdady92.blogspot.com/
    1. Re:Gimme Wireless charging as well by tripleevenfall · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Yes, while having a headphone jack, home button, and a charging port are all convenient - you can use any headphones in the world. the headphones don't run out of batteries, you don't need to carry a dongle around, the home button gives you a tactile button to wake the phone or check the screen or determine orientation when you can't look at it, and the charging port allows much faster charging than wireless - who wants everything to work as well as it could?

      Yes, we should eliminate all those things which are working great, so there are no ports, because... reasons

    2. Re:Gimme Wireless charging as well by Space+cowboy · · Score: 4, Funny

      Well, you could always use a Samsung phone and burn to death instead, but hey, let's bitch about a fucking headphone socket...

      --
      Physicists get Hadrons!
    3. Re:Gimme Wireless charging as well by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      Yes, we should eliminate all those things which are working great, so there are no ports, because... reasons

      He just gave you a reason, smartass: so you can bring the phone underwater. FACT: Most of the Earth is covered by water. This is the main thing holding us back from a BioShock utopia.

    4. Re:Gimme Wireless charging as well by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

      That's one particular phone. There are many Samsung phones that aren't a fire hazard as well as many other phones from different manufactures. The headphone jack removal is worth bitching about. Hands down the most disgusting thing Apple has done since the release of the original Mac with it's black and white screen and single button mouse.

    5. Re:Gimme Wireless charging as well by houstonbofh · · Score: 0

      Yes, we should eliminate all those things which are working great, so there are no ports, because... reasons

      I guess you never read that second sentence... It would be nice to have a phone where they can not deny all coverage because it rained once.

    6. Re:Gimme Wireless charging as well by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Apple phones are shit and Samsung phones are shit. I won't touch either brand.

    7. Re:Gimme Wireless charging as well by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Insightful

      Apple removed a component which is arguably obsolete from the iPhone, while providing an acceptable workaround, for free. This earth shattering change only requires you to carry an extra adaptor to retain the functionality that you already enjoy. This is the kind of problem that decidedly falls into the "first world problem" category. Your life, though slightly inconvenienced (and even this notion is questionable), carries on.

      Samsung, on the other hand, released one of their primary products (and best seller) with a flaw that can actually kill or severely injure the user. This flaw isn't exactly the kind of thing that wouldn't be noticed by Samsung during testing (You test your shit, right Samsung?), but I guess Samsung is taking a leaf out of the Volkswagen playbook, and pretended that phones suddenly catching fire wouldn't be noticed.

      And then we have the utter disaster that is the Android ecosystem: devices exploitable by MMS, malware that routinely enters the Play store and infects millions of devices, Google's inability to allow users to update their devices despite the fact that pretty much every OS allows you to do this, regardless of the underlying hardware, the constant UI redesigns. The list goes on and on.

      Perspective. Get some.

    8. Re:Gimme Wireless charging as well by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      iPhones have been burning and apple doesn't care and apple trolls denies about them and blames the users

    9. Re:Gimme Wireless charging as well by Electricity+Likes+Me · · Score: 3, Informative

      Ah yes, just like you totally can't if those ports are present. Except for all the phones which can do that now.

    10. Re:Gimme Wireless charging as well by SeaFox · · Score: 1

      Well, you could always use a Samsung phone and burn to death instead, but hey, let's bitch about a fucking headphone socket...

      Would it still burn me if I took it underwater like the OP wants to do?

    11. Re: Gimme Wireless charging as well by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I am very depressed and was considering the Samsung fire phone as my exit plan.

    12. Re: Gimme Wireless charging as well by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Just put it in a clear plastic bag. Instant water prodding. It's easy! Take the plastic bag, put it over your face down to your neck, tie it tightly so no water can get in. Then you can go into the water. You should have been able to think of this yourself.

    13. Re:Gimme Wireless charging as well by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      The 3.5mm jack is not obsolete by any definition of the word! It functions as well as, or better than, any other option for the purpose. It is the most widespread electronic interface in the world, and is the near-uniform standard for audio output. It is as obsolete as the wheel.

    14. Re: Gimme Wireless charging as well by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      iPhone 7 can get two home button areas, but why not use Apple logo as home button?

    15. Re:Gimme Wireless charging as well by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      At least you can replace the Samsung one for free with one that works.

    16. Re:Gimme Wireless charging as well by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Apple removed a component which is arguably obsolete from the iPhone, while providing an acceptable workaround, for free.

      Not acceptable to me.

      This earth shattering change only requires you to carry an extra adaptor to retain the functionality that you already enjoy.

      Nope, it requires a dongle and weird hub to be able to charge & use headphones at the same time, like say 90% of people in my office.

      This site badly needs a new mod option '-1 Moaning'.

    17. Re:Gimme Wireless charging as well by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It gets *much* more exciting when you introduce water to lithium....

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?...

    18. Re:Gimme Wireless charging as well by squiggleslash · · Score: 1

      It really is a shame that Samsung only makes one model of phone, and that nobody else is willing to compete with them except for Apple.

      --
      You are not alone. This is not normal. None of this is normal.
    19. Re:Gimme Wireless charging as well by neoritter · · Score: 1

      Other phones that are water resistant have those things. And a product was demo'd that could turn a phone water proof years ago even with all the ports.

    20. Re:Gimme Wireless charging as well by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Let's generalize that sentiment.

      90% of everything is shit

    21. Re:Gimme Wireless charging as well by JustAnotherOldGuy · · Score: 1

      Yes, we should eliminate all those things which are working great, so there are no ports, because... reasons

      Yeah, because don't all of us spend every minute underwater these days? Take away all the ports and tactile items and make me buy new shit!

      Coming soon: the iButton, a $79 plastic cap that fits onto the phone where the Home button used to be, so people can feel where it is. (Just like on that horrid old last-year's model that no iTard would be caught dead carrying.)

      --
      Just cruising through this digital world at 33 1/3 rpm...
    22. Re:Gimme Wireless charging as well by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      They already have speakers on both sides now. So they put in a mic on the other side too and it doesn't matter which way you hold it. Just say'n

    23. Re:Gimme Wireless charging as well by Ol+Olsoc · · Score: 1

      you don't need to carry a dongle around,

      Please explain exactly why carrying wired headphones around is the greatest thinng in the world, but 100 percent unacceptable to plug those same best solution headphones into a dongle. If I actually had to plug a legacy headset into an iPhone, I'd probably just plug the headphone plug into the dongle, then keep the thing plugged in and store it in the place where I stored the headphones. But that must be an inconvenience beyond the pale.

      It's like plug one thing in, and it is wonderful, a superior setup, and all is well. Plug another thing in and fuck that shit. It's a wonder no one has committed suicide yet, or gone into therapy.

      --
      The shepherds did so well protecting the flock that the sheep no longer believed that wolves existed.
    24. Re:Gimme Wireless charging as well by Ol+Olsoc · · Score: 0

      That's one particular phone. There are many Samsung phones that aren't a fire hazard as well as many other phones from different manufactures.

      Despite the idiocy of your statement, you were wise to post as AC.

      --
      The shepherds did so well protecting the flock that the sheep no longer believed that wolves existed.
    25. Re:Gimme Wireless charging as well by Ol+Olsoc · · Score: 1

      Apple removed a component which is arguably obsolete from the iPhone, while providing an acceptable workaround, for free.

      Not acceptable to me.

      Well go buy your Samsung and be happy. All your problems will vanish into the haze.

      --
      The shepherds did so well protecting the flock that the sheep no longer believed that wolves existed.
    26. Re:Gimme Wireless charging as well by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I've been a daily Slashdot user since 98'. However, unlike you, I never felt the narcissistic desire to register a username. Makes you a bit of a faggot, actually.

    27. Re:Gimme Wireless charging as well by Ol+Olsoc · · Score: 1

      Yes, we should eliminate all those things which are working great, so there are no ports, because... reasons

      Yeah, because don't all of us spend every minute underwater these days? Take away all the ports and tactile items and make me buy new shit!

      Coming soon: the iButton, a $79 plastic cap that fits onto the phone where the Home button used to be, so people can feel where it is. (Just like on that horrid old last-year's model that no iTard would be caught dead carrying.)

      My fsckin ford can beat your Chevy too! Tell me, what is it in your makeup that makes you have the deep seated need to have such hatred? The need to call iphone users retarded? I have iPhones because they integrate with my other hardware. I have a Samsung tablet because I wanted to understand Android. From actual experience the missing headphone jack means nothing, especially since if you want to plug into a phone, it can't be difficult to plug in two things. and presumably one would keep their dongle plugged into the headphones. Don't care - I use bluetooth on both my iPhone, Mac, Android, and PC's

      I do take burning batteries pretty seriously though - I'll admit as much.

      But considering some folks utter dismissal of burning phones as an issue at all, and dumping crazy hate on a phone they don't even need to own - its a weird hate.

      And I just picked your post as it just oozes the anger and hatred like an untreated chancroid lesion.

      --
      The shepherds did so well protecting the flock that the sheep no longer believed that wolves existed.
    28. Re:Gimme Wireless charging as well by Ol+Olsoc · · Score: 1

      I've been a daily Slashdot user since 98'. However, unlike you, I never felt the narcissistic desire to register a username. Makes you a bit of a faggot, actually.

      Never miss a good chance to not make a fool of yourself. Actually. You've done it twice now.

      --
      The shepherds did so well protecting the flock that the sheep no longer believed that wolves existed.
    29. Re:Gimme Wireless charging as well by gweilo8888 · · Score: 2

      Except it's not a reason, smartass, because numerous current smartphones and tablets can be taken underwater (and even used underwater) without any issues, despite their designs featuring uncapped 3.5mm jacks. I own three of these (one phone, two tablets) myself, and have submerged all three numerous times while switched on, without a single issue.

    30. Re:Gimme Wireless charging as well by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Let's do away the power button while we're at it -- nobody could possibly want to turn off a phone.

    31. Re: Gimme Wireless charging as well by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      sure it matters. then it will matter which side you hold your head on...

      they are cost saving measures. nothing more. they removed the 3.5mm Jack to make it cheaper to make and to hide it on press that the resolution is an ass.

    32. Re:Gimme Wireless charging as well by JustAnotherOldGuy · · Score: 1

      Tell me, what is it in your makeup that makes you have the deep seated need to have such hatred?

      Why? Because I hate companies that behave like assholes, and I have disdain for the fanbois who slavishly follow them like zombies after fresh meat. And I'd slam any company that behaves this way- Apple, Samsung, Microsoft, Oracle, etc etc. (I own Android and Apple devices, so I've got the right to critique them as I see fit.)

      -

      I do take burning batteries pretty seriously though - I'll admit as much.

      Exactly- how those numbnuts at Samsung could have let this little flaw slip by is beyond me. And by "little flaw", I mean something that may burn your house down or injure you, possibly fatally. So yeah, coming soon: the Samsung Galaxy Fireproof Carrying Case, just $99.95, made from the purest asbestos available!

      -

      But considering some folks utter dismissal of burning phones as an issue at all, and dumping crazy hate on a phone they don't even need to own - its a weird hate.

      Weird hates are the most fun when it come to taking potshots at stuff, especially when it's deserved.

      -

      And I just picked your post as it just oozes the anger and hatred like an untreated chancroid lesion.

      Well, it seems you know lots more about chancroid lesions than me, but you've probably just got more experience at hosting them than I do.

      --
      Just cruising through this digital world at 33 1/3 rpm...
    33. Re:Gimme Wireless charging as well by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Apple removed a component which is arguably obsolete from the iPhone, while providing an acceptable workaround, for free.

      Not acceptable to me.

      Well go buy your Samsung and be happy. All your problems will vanish into the haze.

      That's it, follow the commandments of the Apple religion: Thou shalt not complain about Apple product decisions. And threaten to cast him out of the Church of Apple.

    34. Re:Gimme Wireless charging as well by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      That statement would appear idiotic to a well-conditioned Apple disciple.

    35. Re:Gimme Wireless charging as well by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The need to call iphone users retarded?

      He wasn't calling iPhone users retarded, there's a difference between iPhone users and Apple fanboys, you're obviously the latter. And the latter are the ones that take criticisms of Apple and it's products as if they are being criticized personally. They defend everything Apple does even in the face of blatant stupidity, like labelling their own removal of the headphone jack as "courageous" or telling users that had problems with their products they were "holding it wrong" or painting every menial change as "magical" or "amazing". What is really magical and amazing is that they can do and say whatever ridiculous thing they want and fanboys like you will bend over backwards to praise them and defend the corporation against anybody who would criticize what they say. It's really, really, really pathetic...and you have no idea you're doing it.

      -An iPhone user

    36. Re:Gimme Wireless charging as well by stealth_finger · · Score: 1

      you could always use a Samsung phone and burn to death instead,

      WeeeOooooWeeeOooo what's that, oh it's the exaggeration police.

      --
      Wanna buy a shirt?
      https://www.redbubble.com/people/stealthfinger/shop?asc=u
    37. Re:Gimme Wireless charging as well by Plumpaquatsch · · Score: 1

      iPhones have been burning and apple doesn't care and apple trolls denies about them and blames the users

      There are about two dozen cases of iPhones "burning" or "exploding" or "swelling". Most of them were due to faulty third party (IOW cheap Chinese) chargers, most others happened after the device was subjected to a great force damaging the battery. That's about 20 cases out of over a billion iPhones sold in 9 years.

      You can pretend that's in the same ballpark as a good dozen more Note 7 burning in a few weeks out of 2.5 million devices shipped just because (or so the latest "software fix" suggests) it was charged to more than 80% of capacity.

      --
      Of course news about a fake are Fake News.
    38. Re:Gimme Wireless charging as well by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      At least you can replace the Samsung one for free with one that works.

      Yeah, then you are only left with Embarrassing Real-World Performance and easily scratched display. Nothing that can't be rationalized away, especially since it won't burn your house down.

    39. Re:Gimme Wireless charging as well by Plumpaquatsch · · Score: 1

      It really is a shame that Samsung only makes one model of phone, and that nobody else is willing to compete with them except for Apple.

      Well, why don't they then? Why doesn't any Android manufacturer sell anywhere near as much phones as Samsung - or Apple for that matter? Is that really because they don't sell over a hundred phone models but only a couple dozen?

      --
      Of course news about a fake are Fake News.
    40. Re:Gimme Wireless charging as well by squiggleslash · · Score: 1

      Well, why don't they then? Why doesn't any Android manufacturer sell anywhere near as much phones as Samsung

      Because there are a lot of them? Samsung's market share is under 30%. Non-Samsung phones make up around 50% of the market. LG has 17%, which may not be 30% but it's a fairly large number. Other big Android phone makers include Motorola, and HTC; right now the biggest selling smartphone bought on Amazon's site is made by BLU.

      Someone has to be biggest, that doesn't mean they make most Android phones, or that other Android phone makers are struggling.

      Samsung seems to be the new "Dell", an arbitrary competitor of Apple's that Apple enthusiasts use as some kind of representative of all Apple alternatives, despite the fact it's hardly representative. Samsung is weak at the low end, and their phones usually lack the features their Android rivals have.

      After my Galaxy Nexus, I can tell you I'll never buy a Samsung phone again, and believe it or not I doubt I'll have any problem finding high quality Android phones despite that decision.

      --
      You are not alone. This is not normal. None of this is normal.
    41. Re:Gimme Wireless charging as well by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Actually it is a very simple problem. With iPhone 6s/6s Plus and older, you have a headset. With 7 and future models, you have the headset and the dongle.

      Most people will keep the dongle plugged into the headset, so when they lose the headset they also lose the dongle, so there are two things to buy instead of one, and I would suspect that the dongle will cost more than a cheap headset.

      That is the problem, and that is why I personally am not happy with this decision by Apple to eliminate the headphone jack.

      I have never actually lost my earbuds, but I am concerned for those who do misplace or lose such things (such as my daughter).

    42. Re:Gimme Wireless charging as well by Eunuchswear · · Score: 1

      90% of uses of Sturgeon's Law are shit.

      --
      Watch this Heartland Institute video
    43. Re:Gimme Wireless charging as well by Ol+Olsoc · · Score: 1

      Well, it seems you know lots more about chancroid lesions than me, but you've probably just got more experience at hosting them than I do.

      Nah, I was giving a gift in the form of a complaint. Wouldn't want to see another person fall prey to Grumpy Old Man syndrome. Seen a few friends turn into assholes for the lack of testosterone - it slowly ramps down as we age.

      --
      The shepherds did so well protecting the flock that the sheep no longer believed that wolves existed.
    44. Re:Gimme Wireless charging as well by Ol+Olsoc · · Score: 1

      Apple removed a component which is arguably obsolete from the iPhone, while providing an acceptable workaround, for free.

      Not acceptable to me.

      Well go buy your Samsung and be happy. All your problems will vanish into the haze.

      That's it, follow the commandments of the Apple religion: Thou shalt not complain about Apple product decisions. And threaten to cast him out of the Church of Apple.

      Problem is, at some point it becomes dipshit trolling. Some might think you've reached that point. I'd wager you hate Apple for a multitude of reasons, and just find it fun to whine about it for some reason. If the iPhone was the only option, you'd have a point. It isn't.

      --
      The shepherds did so well protecting the flock that the sheep no longer believed that wolves existed.
    45. Re:Gimme Wireless charging as well by Ol+Olsoc · · Score: 1

      That statement would appear idiotic to a well-conditioned Apple disciple.

      Yeah, for a guy who owns both Android and Apple devices.

      --
      The shepherds did so well protecting the flock that the sheep no longer believed that wolves existed.
    46. Re:Gimme Wireless charging as well by Ol+Olsoc · · Score: 1

      The need to call iphone users retarded?

      He wasn't calling iPhone users retarded, there's a difference between iPhone users and Apple fanboys, you're obviously the latter.

      As a guy who owns both iOS and Android devices, I'm a real forshit excuse for an Apple fanboi. And yes, he as calling iphone users retarded.

      And the latter are the ones that take criticisms of Apple and it's products as if they are being criticized personally.

      They defend everything Apple does even in the face of blatant stupidity, like labelling their own removal of the headphone jack as "courageous"

      Having both type of devices, it would be pretty difficult for me to be remotely worried about the headphone jack on anything. For that matter, I have an iPhone, an Android tablet, an imac, a chromebook, a retired Dell 960, running both linux and W10, and a Raspberry Pi 3. What do they have in common? I don't use the headphone jack on any of them - I use bluetooth.

      I don't take a bit of this seriously, I just enjoy pointing out stupidity. That would be addressed to you, mon chichi.

      --
      The shepherds did so well protecting the flock that the sheep no longer believed that wolves existed.
    47. Re:Gimme Wireless charging as well by Ol+Olsoc · · Score: 1

      I have never actually lost my earbuds, but I am concerned for those who do misplace or lose such things (such as my daughter).

      I know what you mean, but it didn't come out that way - hope you find your daughter soon.....

      --
      The shepherds did so well protecting the flock that the sheep no longer believed that wolves existed.
    48. Re:Gimme Wireless charging as well by JustAnotherOldGuy · · Score: 1

      Wouldn't want to see another person fall prey to Grumpy Old Man syndrome.

      Pffft, I was a Grumpy Old Man at 30.

      --
      Just cruising through this digital world at 33 1/3 rpm...
    49. Re:Gimme Wireless charging as well by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      As a guy who owns both iOS and Android devices, I'm a real forshit excuse for an Apple fanboi.

      Yet you are as rabid as the most religious Apple followers.

      And yes, he as calling iphone users retarded.

      Well no, he was not. You're obviously reading the wrong post or failing at reading comprehension. The sort of iTards that see their phone choice as a fashion accessory and a reflection of themselves are fanboys, most users just see it as a tool and have the exact same phone that iTards get so attached to.

      Having both type of devices, it would be pretty difficult for me to be remotely worried about the headphone jack on anything.

      Ooooh your reading comprehension failure strikes again! Nowhere did I say nor imply that you were worried about the headphone jack, try again.

    50. Re:Gimme Wireless charging as well by Ol+Olsoc · · Score: 1

      Yet you are as rabid as the most religious Apple followers.

      And you are projecting. Finding the lack of a design feature that I don't and have never used, as inconsequential, and using a dongle to attach a legacy consumer headphone to it is remarkably in the not a fuck was given category. If I wanted to plug any of my pluggables in to the present iPhone, I'd have to have what you would call a dongle, because 1/4 inch plugs don't fit in any phone that I know of without an adapter. Even if I did want/have to do that, no shit would be given. It doesn't rise to any importance at all.

      And I could use an Android phone with no problems other than the conveniences I have by using my iPhone with my Mac at home.

      The sort of iTards that see their phone choice as a fashion accessory and a reflection of themselves are fanboys, most users just see it as a tool and have the exact same phone that iTards get so attached to.

      You know what a lifeproof case is for an iPhone5? A doublebut ugly nasty looking waterproof thing that I put my iphone in because I do a lot of work around saltwater, and surf fish. I don't think that fits your fanboy iTard fantasy. And aside note is the case requires a special dongle to use any legacy headphone, because the caps over the jack have to have little O-rings to maintain the waterproofing. Fashion accessory my rosy red.

      Ooooh your reading comprehension failure strikes again! Nowhere did I say nor imply that you were worried about the headphone jack, try again.

      I do kind of expect this kind of thing from a person that is an anonymous Coward

      Allow me to repeat to you what you wrote:

      there's a difference between iPhone users and Apple fanboys, you're obviously the latter.And the latter are the ones that take criticisms of Apple and it's products as if they are being criticized personally. They defend everything Apple does even in the face of blatant stupidity, like labelling their own removal of the headphone jack as "courageous"

      Don't be a dumbass, dumbass. If you lie, I'll call you out on it before ignoring you.

      --
      The shepherds did so well protecting the flock that the sheep no longer believed that wolves existed.
    51. Re:Gimme Wireless charging as well by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      If I actually had to plug a legacy headset into an iPhone, I'd probably just plug the headphone plug into the dongle, then keep the thing plugged in and store it in the place where I stored the headphones. But that must be an inconvenience beyond the pale.

      Are you genuinely not able to understand that people use 3.5mm audio jacks for multiple things? Why are you so upset that people are criticizing the fact that the product line that used to cater to their workflow just made it a lot less convenient? You don't have to leap to their defence on the basis of "it's ok for me so it's ok for everybody". Even after pointing this out I'm sure your Apple defence mechanism will kick in and you'll continue to bang on that everybody who is critical of this change is just doing it wrong.

    52. Re:Gimme Wireless charging as well by Dog-Cow · · Score: 1

      If you think a company is acting like an asshole because they change their products in ways you don't like, you're a narcissistic shit who deserves to be tortured to death.

    53. Re:Gimme Wireless charging as well by Dog-Cow · · Score: 1

      Most people on slashdot complaining about the removed headphone jack don't own an iPhone, and never will.

    54. Re:Gimme Wireless charging as well by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      aren't you just the apple worshipping poster boy,, great to have you on their team

    55. Re:Gimme Wireless charging as well by bibendum59 · · Score: 1

      I say good riddance to the headphone jack. Lightning to headphone adapters are inexpensive. Okay, maybe you can't use your wired headphones while charging your phone, but honestly how often is that necessary? I could be wrong, but I would imagine there is some kind of hub for this. And a tactile home button? I honestly don't see the point. They should have ditched this long ago. Using a virtual button that appears on the screen when you need it would allow for a screen that covers more of the face of the phone. I do agree with you about the wireless charging though.

    56. Re:Gimme Wireless charging as well by Plumpaquatsch · · Score: 1

      Someone has to be biggest, that doesn't mean they make most Android phones, or that other Android phone makers are struggling.

      Yes, The fact that most Android phone makers don't make much of a profit (if any) means they are struggling.

      --
      Of course news about a fake are Fake News.
    57. Re:Gimme Wireless charging as well by JustAnotherOldGuy · · Score: 1

      If you think a company is acting like an asshole because they change their products in ways you don't like, you're a narcissistic shit who deserves to be tortured to death.

      Steve Jobs didn't die from pancreatic cancer, he died because you sucked his life force out through his cock.

      --
      Just cruising through this digital world at 33 1/3 rpm...
    58. Re:Gimme Wireless charging as well by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      wow your simply awesome

    59. Re:Gimme Wireless charging as well by Ol+Olsoc · · Score: 1

      Wouldn't want to see another person fall prey to Grumpy Old Man syndrome.

      Pffft, I was a Grumpy Old Man at 30.

      There's a hipster joke in there somewhere....... 8^)

      --
      The shepherds did so well protecting the flock that the sheep no longer believed that wolves existed.
    60. Re:Gimme Wireless charging as well by Ol+Olsoc · · Score: 1

      Most people on slashdot complaining about the removed headphone jack don't own an iPhone, and never will.

      Annnnnnnnnnnd - exactly.

      --
      The shepherds did so well protecting the flock that the sheep no longer believed that wolves existed.
    61. Re:Gimme Wireless charging as well by Ol+Olsoc · · Score: 1

      wow your simply awesome

      At least my dog thinks so.......

      --
      The shepherds did so well protecting the flock that the sheep no longer believed that wolves existed.
  2. yay by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Who needs hardware inputs for when software fails.

    1. Re:yay by dgatwood · · Score: 1

      Forget that. You should be asking, "Who needs an alternate way to wake the phone when the power button fails?" (...as it did epidemically on the iPhone 5...)

      --

      Check out my sci-fi/humor trilogy at PatriotsBooks.

    2. Re:yay by Aaden42 · · Score: 1

      The current home button doesn't help much if the software fails. It's seldom able to interrupt a locked app or crashed phone. They do have a watchdog on the Home/Power combo. As long as they maintain that on the (presumably still there) power button, there's nothing lost. "Hold power for 10 seconds and the watchdog barks" is good enough to deal with a complete software lockup.

    3. Re:yay by tnk1 · · Score: 1

      On the other hand, these days when an app locks up, I can double press the home button to get the app selector screen and quit the frozen app by sliding it off the screen.

      Now if the OS fails, sure, the phone has to be restarted. However, based on my experience with software home buttons with my Android devices, the real buttons tend to work better than the software buttons, mostly because you don't have to wait for the processor to respond to even click on the button reliably. Even if I have to wait for the interrupt, at least I managed to get it into the queue, whereas with the software button, I am not even sure it fully registered that I pressed it, even when it does eventually show up to press.

      Of course, I have known for years that the real button has taken up a lot of real estate on iPhones and have been wondering when they were going to remove it to take back that space. That doesn't mean I think its a great idea.

      As for removing the phone jack, I still think they should replace the audio jack with a second multi-use port because losing the extra port does remove capability from the phone and I am the sort of user who appreciates something a little bigger if it is more capable. The same reason I demanded that I get a beefier laptop for work than the slim one they gave me initially. Slim is nice, I am actually doing work with this thing, so make it thin, but don't take away capabilities and tell me you're doing me a favor.

    4. Re:yay by ClickOnThis · · Score: 1

      Who needs hardware inputs for when software fails.

      You can say that again.

      --
      If it weren't for deadlines, nothing would be late.
    5. Re: yay by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      If it bricked the iPad of Brianna Wu, it can't be all bad...

    6. Re:yay by unixisc · · Score: 1

      Who needs hardware inputs for when software fails.

      Precisely! After I get this iPhone 7 and a new iPad mini w/ more storage, those will be my last iToys. They can get rid of home buttons, volume buttons, rotation switches and all that in future models

    7. Re:yay by unixisc · · Score: 1

      Reminds me of Windows laptops getting rid of the button that could physically enable or disable a trackpad while typing

  3. I want a phone without any matter whatsoever by pteddy · · Score: 2

    Come on Apple, INNOVATE!

    1. Re:I want a phone without any matter whatsoever by Tablizer · · Score: 5, Funny

      a phone without any matter whatsoever

      The Galaxy Note 7 tried anti-matter, but that didn't work out so well.

    2. Re:I want a phone without any matter whatsoever by tripleevenfall · · Score: 2

      You just can't see the COURAGE!

      Check out my earrings, I mean, earpods!

    3. Re:I want a phone without any matter whatsoever by phantomfive · · Score: 5, Funny

      I hear reception was explosive! More specifically, they annihilated the competition.

      --
      "First they came for the slanderers and i said nothing."
    4. Re:I want a phone without any matter whatsoever by Waffle+Iron · · Score: 1

      They probably could convince their customers to pay $799 for a phone comprised of "100% Dark Matter". The users wouldn't be able to detect it or interact with it in any way, but they would be satisfied knowing that they have the most gossamer phone available.

    5. Re:I want a phone without any matter whatsoever by bigdady92 · · Score: 1

      Wish I had mod points for this comment.

      --
      Wheel of Time: Book by Book and Sumview (summary review) Bigdady92 style: http://bigdady92.blogspot.com/
    6. Re:I want a phone without any matter whatsoever by Lord+Apathy · · Score: 1

      I know I'm dying here. This is some funny shit.

      --

      Supporting World Peace Through Nuclear Pacification

    7. Re:I want a phone without any matter whatsoever by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      a phone without any matter whatsoever

      The Galaxy Note 7 tried anti-matter, but that didn't work out so well.

      Well at least it was warp capable.

    8. Re:I want a phone without any matter whatsoever by wierd_w · · Score: 1

      Amusingly, that DOES seem to be the direction Apple is taking.

      Removing features left and right, and using older hardware under the plastic shine.

      Eventually the iDevices will be just a rounded glass rectangle with icons painted on.

  4. It's 2010 again by Tablizer · · Score: 1

    Early Android phones did this. The bottom row of the screen had a bar with a "back" button, a "home" button, and a "settings" button.

    1. Re:It's 2010 again by sexconker · · Score: 2

      Don't forget the search button. Apparently 4 buttons is too many for millennials, however.

    2. Re:It's 2010 again by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Early? The Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Nexus 5x, Nexus 6p all don't have physical home buttons. The upcoming Pixel phones don't appear to have one either.

    3. Re:It's 2010 again by willoughby · · Score: 2

      It's still being done. Many of the current LG phones have no home button.

    4. Re:It's 2010 again by skids · · Score: 1

      Yeah but all the promo photos make them look like they have chiclets, so you have to really dig if you want to make sure you have real buttons. Personally I can't stand having these on screen -- I want to be able to have my thumb on the button, feel that it is in the right place, be prepared to press it, but not press it until/unless I actually want to. So, yet another reason Apple products have never had any appeal to me goes onto the pile.

    5. Re:It's 2010 again by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yeah, and I hate that. My perception is that only "cheap" phones don't have physical buttons. Every one I have been exposed to has been utter shit.
      That said, I don't know anyone with a Nexus. Maybe its working better for them.

    6. Re:It's 2010 again by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I have a Nexus 6P, and I do not miss physical buttons in the slightest.

    7. Re:It's 2010 again by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yeah, but Apple will patent the 'no home button' if they haven't already. And don't forget the droids praising Apple for removing the button. The innovation of the century!

    8. Re:It's 2010 again by Miamicanes · · Score: 1

      Right... they don't... and it's their single biggest drawback and design flaw.

      Feeling a tactile click is no guarantee that anything will happen, but the knowledge that your action was unambiguously communicated to the device gives you a few seconds to cool off before angrily blaming the OS. Touch-only virtual buttons deprive users of that sense of satisfying closure, increase frustration, and harm the user experience.

      That's why elevators quit using all-touch virtual buttons in favor of clicky, tactile buttons -- the clicky, tactile buttons don't get vandalized as often, and they can take a lot more punishment without expensive repairs when it happens. People who press a real button and feel the click will automatically assume their action was noticed by the device. With virtual buttons, uncertainty rapidly snowballs into rage and abuse. The physical motion and click provides a brief sense of reward and partially neutralizes what would otherwise be an urge to punch or smash the non-responsive control.

    9. Re:It's 2010 again by squiggleslash · · Score: 1

      Most lower cost Android phones still do. It's really weird in the Android world, as you could argue phones get better the cheaper they are.

      - For $300-600, you have phones with good screens and cameras, but no SD card slots, no dual SIM capability, no buttons, no removable batteries, battery lives measured in hours, etc.)
      - For $100-300, you have phones with good screens, slightly poorer cameras, and occasionally they have removable batteries and/or SD card slots. Battery lives still shitty.
      - For $50-100, you have poorer screens, but you don't care because your (usually removable) battery can last an entire day with some left over for the following morning, SD card slots, a good chance of dual SIMs, and a good chance of the three control buttons.
      - For $30, the screen and camera aren't anything to write home about, but do you care? No. You have a phone with a battery life measured in days, SD card slots, control buttons, everything.

      Why does this happen? Because the more expensive a phone is, the more the way it looks in the store is prioritized over how functional it is.

      And yeah, I'm still pissed I wasted whatever it was I paid for a Galaxy Nexus, and then was stuck with it for years because I didn't realize the budget $30-50 prepaid phones at Walmart were actually better...

      --
      You are not alone. This is not normal. None of this is normal.
    10. Re:It's 2010 again by JaredOfEuropa · · Score: 1

      And I hate those buttons with a passion. Too often I pick up the device and accidentally tap one of those buttons; something that pretty much never happens with my iPhone's physical Home button (though moving the power button from the top to the side on the iPhone 6 was a mistake). Presumably/hopefully Apple will use the 3D touch feature to require a somewhat forceful press of the virtual Home button before it reacts.

      --
      If construction was anything like programming, an incorrectly fitted lock would bring down the entire building...
    11. Re:It's 2010 again by TangoMargarine · · Score: 1

      Do Nexuses not do that thing when you press one of the back/home/taskmanager buttons and it vibes once?

      That said, I'd agree about liking physical buttons more. When the screen is 5.8" across (or whatever) and you want to remove the buttons to make it 5.95" it just seems silly.

      --
      Unity? Screw that: XFCE. Slashdot Beta? Screw that: SoylentNews. Australis? Screw that: Pale Moon. UX developers DIAF
    12. Re:It's 2010 again by AmiMoJo · · Score: 1

      Hold on, slow down professor... TWO mouse buttons?!

      --
      const int one = 65536; (Silvermoon, Texture.cs)
      SJW, n: "Someone I don't like, and by the way I'm a fuckwit" - AC
    13. Re:It's 2010 again by Chalnoth · · Score: 2

      I think it's mostly just Samsung that still has hardware home/back/switcher buttons for Android devices. Most other devices use the built-in software buttons. I strongly prefer the software buttons myself, for two main reasons:

      1. There's a fourth menu option for some apps that isn't anywhere visible on phones with hardware buttons (it shows up as three dots and displays a small pop-up menu on phones with software buttons). If I remember correctly, you long-press either the back or app switcher buttons to view it on phones with hardware buttons. I think the use of this feature is less common in modern Android apps, though.

      2. Especially when using the device in landscape mode, I very frequently hit either the back or switcher buttons accidentally, which, depending upon the app, can interrupt my activity. This is the #1 reason why I switched my Samsung tablet over to Cyanogenmod, as there's an option to disable the hardware buttons (the other reason being I really don't like Samsung's custom skin).

    14. Re:It's 2010 again by stealth_finger · · Score: 1

      Nor does sony's xperia range.

      --
      Wanna buy a shirt?
      https://www.redbubble.com/people/stealthfinger/shop?asc=u
    15. Re:It's 2010 again by stealth_finger · · Score: 1

      Actually neither does my lumia. Are they going to get rid of the power button and volume rocker next?

      --
      Wanna buy a shirt?
      https://www.redbubble.com/people/stealthfinger/shop?asc=u
  5. First they came for the nav buttons... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    Try swiping the front face of your Android phone while the screen is turned off.

    They're coming for your buttons too.

    1. Re:First they came for the nav buttons... by master5o1 · · Score: 1

      Try swiping the front face of your Android phone while the screen is turned off.

      Does nothing on my Nexus 6P. Please elaborate.

      --
      signature is pants
  6. virtual iPhone by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    can we have a virtual iPhone... running Android

    1. Re:virtual iPhone by unixisc · · Score: 1

      Or make iOS a VM in an Android phone

  7. OMG, So Courageous! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    The Wizard of Jobs must have given Tom Cook two hearts!

    1. Re:OMG, So Courageous! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

      Steve Jobs knew the importance of spare organs.

  8. I'll wait until the iPhone 9 by 110010001000 · · Score: 5, Funny

    The iPhone 9 won't have a screen. This will at least double battery life.

    1. Re:I'll wait until the iPhone 9 by GerardAtJob · · Score: 2

      I wait until they're selling plain air in a box.

      --
      I can't call that English ;-)
    2. Re:I'll wait until the iPhone 9 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The iPhone 9 won't have a screen. This will at least double battery life.

      It will be designed to fit into the user's anus. And people will still line up to buy it.

    3. Re:I'll wait until the iPhone 9 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      that's brave.

    4. Re:I'll wait until the iPhone 9 by houstonbofh · · Score: 2

      The iPhone 9 won't have a screen. This will at least double battery life.

      The screen is the iWatch... Watch it actually happen. :)

    5. Re: I'll wait until the iPhone 9 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You mean line up to insert it right?

    6. Re:I'll wait until the iPhone 9 by irrational_design · · Score: 1

      Well, they do like to work with Nike. Do you want an Apple Air phone to go with your Nike Air shoes?

    7. Re:I'll wait until the iPhone 9 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You laugh, but AR will make it happen. You can summon a screen of any size, anywhere.

    8. Re: I'll wait until the iPhone 9 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      There have been plenty of those on eBay since the iPhone first came out.

    9. Re: I'll wait until the iPhone 9 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I think is has been happening for years. Phone, produce, little Billy's toy dinasaur. The girl with the short hair that dresses like a man that thinks she is a boy. Lol. Give them all free Samsung fire phones!

    10. Re:I'll wait until the iPhone 9 by ClickOnThis · · Score: 1

      The iPhone 9 won't have a screen. This will at least double battery life.

      It will be designed to fit into the user's anus. And people will still line up to buy it.

      It could be worse than that, and people would still line up to buy it.

      --
      If it weren't for deadlines, nothing would be late.
    11. Re:I'll wait until the iPhone 9 by LordHighExecutioner · · Score: 2

      iPhone 9 is obsolete. With iPhone 10 you don't ever get a telephone: you just transfer your money to Apple, and nothing else happens.

    12. Re:I'll wait until the iPhone 9 by wikthemighty · · Score: 1

      iPhone Shuffle?

      --
      "There are people who do not love their fellow human being, and I _hate_ people like that!" - Tom Lehrer
    13. Re:I'll wait until the iPhone 9 by unixisc · · Score: 1

      I wait until they're selling plain air in a box.

      iAir

    14. Re:I'll wait until the iPhone 9 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Galaxy Note 8 gonna be a nuclear bomb then

    15. Re:I'll wait until the iPhone 9 by 91degrees · · Score: 1

      Which means Apple can justify removing the charger from the iPhone 10. Just buy a new one when the battery dies.

    16. Re:I'll wait until the iPhone 9 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      No, I think you're wrong in your prediction... The iWatch will just be the adapter to the new screen, which will be stationed at Apple stores across the nation. If you'd like to rent screen time at your Local Apple store, you'll need to reserve some time on the proprietary AppleQueue OLED Screen Timer Booker, which will give the user 15 minutes notice to travel to the nearest Apple Store for screen time, as well as wirelessly handle the $0.003 per pixel per 15min fee.

  9. So... by i58 · · Score: 1

    Instead of adding things they will take more away. Nice. I prefer the tactile feel of an actual button. A virtual one will likely have some gimmick involved like a delay to prevent accidental activation. How will you know where to put your finger for the fingerprint sensor? #fingerprintfailures #notafan #puttheplugback

    1. Re:So... by Aaden42 · · Score: 1

      Pretty sure it would only take a few uses to figure out the right spot. There was a previous /. posting that mentioned (I think) a patent filing of using haptic feedback for a virtual button. So you'll get the tactile *tap* when you "push" it. The haptics on Apple Watch aren't quite as good as physical buttons, but maybe they'll get better in the interim. There's definitely a responsiveness thing they need to get right.

      The watch has a uncomfortable delay to a lot of its responses. If they can get as good as a physical button click with the haptics, then I don't see a problem. If it's laggy, then I wouldn't be a fan.

    2. Re:So... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      There you go folks: everyone who disagrees with Apple SUPPORTS BIOMETRICS.

    3. Re:So... by wardrich86 · · Score: 1

      They could redesign the sleep/wake button and put it there... just like Android OEM's did when they got rid of the physical home button.

    4. Re: So... by joh · · Score: 1

      Recognition will be by pressure, the fingerprint reader will work everywhere on the screen. Where's the problem?

      Note that Apple will NEVER use a virtual button on the screen like Android because all the accessibility features rely on the user being able to press the home button without seeing it. So in the next iPhone the full screen will be the home button.

    5. Re: So... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      That could be interesting. Every touch is authorized via biometrics.

    6. Re: So... by unixisc · · Score: 1

      Except that I use a stylus to avoid smudging my phones & tablets. So how exactly would fingerprint recognition work if there ain't no home button?

  10. Interesting - let's see what happens by ErichTheRed · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I wonder if the other hardware switches are going away as well. If so, I also wonder whether there'll at least be a "paperclip hole" to reboot the thing if it locks up. As much as I'm not a fan of killing useful functionality just because Jony Ive says I don't need it anymore, how they implement this will be the interesting detail. If it were Google or Microsoft, I'd say this would be a good way to ensure the device is on in a low-power state perpetually broadcasting its location and usage data. So far Apple seems to have resisted a lot of this data mining stuff...we'll see.

    As a lesson from another industry, Ford removed most of the physical knobs and switches from their cars when they first introduced MyFordTouch. Owners freaked out when the touch screen wasn't as responsive as they'd hoped, and some of the switches have come back over time. Altering consumer behavior can be very difficult even if your consumers are rabid fans who think you can do no wrong. :-)

    1. Re:Interesting - let's see what happens by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      I wonder if the other hardware switches are going away as well.

      I could see them doing this:

      • Lose the headphone socket - Already done
      • Use QI charging
      • Remove the hardware SIM, in favour of a software SIM (I believe they have a patent on this?)
      • Remove the Lightning port, because reasons

      With this done, they can 100% seal the iPhone, and ship a single slab of glass and metal. Why would they do this? Because they're Apple, and it's what they do.

    2. Re:Interesting - let's see what happens by Merk42 · · Score: 4, Insightful

      As a lesson from another industry, Ford removed most of the physical knobs and switches from their cars when they first introduced MyFordTouch. Owners freaked out when the touch screen wasn't as responsive as they'd hoped, and some of the switches have come back over time

      The issue with MyFordTouch is that drivers couldn't find the buttons without looking away from the road.

    3. Re:Interesting - let's see what happens by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The removal of moving parts, even simple ones like buttons, isn't a bad goal.

      Making non-mechanical actuators robust and cheap enough to make it reasonable is a bit of a challenge, but the benefits would be great. Fewer holes, less space, less weight.

      Hall effect sensors are extremely reliable and are used to replace contact switches where extreme durability is needed. Think driving controls in heavy industrial equipment and military gear where a button can NEVER fail. - The whole mechanism is basically a spring-loaded magnet that moves it past the sensor. No contact wear, corrosion to worry about. You can over-engineer the rest so it's basically failure-proof to many millions of actuations.

      Need a reset? Put a hall effect sensor on two corners of the phone and require a magnet to be moved in a pattern to effect a hard reset.

      Honestly I'm looking forward to small, but mostly sealed and rugged devices with virtually no holes - Wireless charging, the whole bit.

    4. Re:Interesting - let's see what happens by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      If they go to a software SIM I am definitely out. I travel and I need to be able to switch SIM cards depending on the country.

    5. Re:Interesting - let's see what happens by 14erCleaner · · Score: 1

      It takes courage to drive using a touch screen.

      --
      Have you read my blog lately?
  11. "Press any key to unlock" by Aaden42 · · Score: 1

    Anybody look at the "artist's concept" sketch in the article? I have a hard time taking any speculation seriously when their artist puts "Press any key to unlock" on a touch screen only device.

    1. Re:"Press any key to unlock" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I have a hard time taking

      "The home button will be embedded into the glass panel, according to rumors and Apple fan John Gruber's idle speculation."

      seriously.

    2. Re:"Press any key to unlock" by JoeyRox · · Score: 2

      If Apple puts that on the screen then they should except 1M+ support calls from users asking where the any key is.

    3. Re:"Press any key to unlock" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Where is the any key ? I don't think I have the any key !!

  12. Aesthetics Usability by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    They're off the deep end of form over function.

  13. what about sim card? by Joe_Dragon · · Score: 1

    Or wait will apple brake though differing priorities between Apple and the carriers. Or will bend over and let people get raped at $15-$20 a meg when roaming with a sim that can't be changed?

  14. Not stopping here by mridoni · · Score: 0

    Forget about the lack of a physical button in iPhone 8: iPhone 9 will do away with the screen, that's where the excitement begins.

    1. Re:Not stopping here by RavenLrD20k · · Score: 1

      You loved the iPhone for so many years and the past few iterations we've streamlined it like never before. Well...this year we're changing everything...again. This year we're discontinuing the iPhone name...as we've come up with a way to communicate with eachother, it's absolutely revolutionary. Let me present to you...the iBrain. With this innovation you will be able to communicate with each other in absolute real time. There's no icons to press to dial your buddy. With this ear piece unit that operates off your delta-waves, all you have to do is think about your buddy and a connection is immediately established where you can exchange the full range of your thoughts and ideas with him in naught but a flash of an eyelash.

      And why use Facebook anymore? With the iBrain, you can share more than just the image of the food before you... you can share in the whole meal experience. You can share the entire experience of the artwork you create, the machines you build, your day to day living experiences are all fed directly to your friends and love ones. All with Perfect Integration. And you will integrate perfectly with the new iBrain. With the iBrain there can be no successful impedance!

    2. Re:Not stopping here by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Sounds completely horrible. What if my buddy's mind wandered to me whilst sitting on the john, or whilst being yelled at by the missus, or... yuck!

  15. fingerprint unlock by phantomfive · · Score: 1

    That means the touchscreen screen will have extremely high resolution, otherwise they will lose the fingerprint-unlock.

    --
    "First they came for the slanderers and i said nothing."
    1. Re:fingerprint unlock by wardrich86 · · Score: 1

      Or they will redesign the lock/unlock button and put the fingerprint scanner there. That's what Android OEM's have done that removed the physical "home" buttons from their devices.

    2. Re:fingerprint unlock by PoopMonkey · · Score: 1

      The home button is the unlock button. Or it can at least. The power button is incredibly small so I'm not sure how much of a fingerprint read they could get from that.

    3. Re:fingerprint unlock by jrumney · · Score: 1

      Or they will move it to the logical place on the back of the phone where your finger naturally rests when you are holding the phone.

  16. We Listen by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    When you said you wanted a thinner iPhone with better battery life. We listened and got rid of that ancient headphone jack.

    When you said you wanted a sleeker iPhone, something that really said 'the future is here', we listened and got rid of the last button on the iPhone.

    Now, when you say that the internet, social media and games are too much of a distraction from your life and job and family, we've listened.

    Introducing, the iBrick. Sleek styling, not a single button to be found, infinite battery life.

    It can't access the Internet.
    No social media or games are supported.
    It doesn't have a screen.
    It won't even make phone calls.

    The iBrick. The sexiest hunk of useless plastic you'll ever pay for. Coming this fall starting at $799.99, exclusively available through AT&T.

    1. Re:We Listen by sir-gold · · Score: 1

      Are your users stupid?
      Introducing the StupidaMouse, a mouse with no buttons!
      What your users can't click, they can't screw up!

      https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/...

    2. Re:We Listen by dr_canak · · Score: 1

      TheNoPhone already beat them to it... And they're sitting on the patent already.

    3. Re:We Listen by alvinrod · · Score: 1

      The iBrick. The sexiest hunk of useless plastic you'll ever pay for. Coming this fall starting at $799.99, exclusively available through AT&T.

      As if Jony Ive would work with plastic. What a peasant's material.

      The iBrick will use a unique platinum alloy, carefully polished to ensure a uniform smoothness down to a micron before receiving a special anodized coating made with unicorn tears.

    4. Re:We Listen by thegarbz · · Score: 1

      Well they clearly need to remove the speaker and the microphone as they are potential points of water ingress, because you can't have any openings to the outside world when you're going for splash resistance.

  17. the samsung fires may force an battery kill switch by Joe_Dragon · · Score: 1

    the Samsung fires may force an battery kill switch.

    also an hard reboot / hard boot to recovery mode button is needed.

  18. Android did it by oh_my_080980980 · · Score: 2

    No buttons, Android did it. How is this innovating. Apple you are losing and losing fast. If Microsoft ever got it's act together you'd be in 3rd place.

    1. Re:Android did it by wardrich86 · · Score: 1

      Next up they'll "innovate" exploding batteries.

    2. Re:Android did it by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Ha! BlackBerry did it without even soft buttons as on Android... in 2013. And it's awesome. The home button is stupid.

    3. Re:Android did it by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Agreed, I had a Pre3, no home button. That was in 2011. Never ever missed that button. I do miss my Pre3 though :(

    4. Re:Android did it by Bathroom+Humor · · Score: 1

      We can only hope

  19. EXTRA EXTRA! by wardrich86 · · Score: 0

    iPHONE 9 TO DO AWAY WITH PHONE ITSELF. APPLE States it will be the lightest device they have ever sold!

    Box contents: 100% Fresh hipster air

    iPHONE 9 - THE BEST iPHONE EVER.

    1. Re:EXTRA EXTRA! by Barefoot+Monkey · · Score: 1

      iPHONE 9 TO DO AWAY WITH PHONE ITSELF. APPLE States it will be the lightest device they have ever sold!

      Box contents: 100% Fresh hipster air

      iPHONE 9 - THE BEST iPHONE EVER.

      That's nothing! (literally and figuratively) Samsung is already planning to release the Galaxy H2, which is even lighter than fresh hipster air* because it's a sealed container of hydrogen**.

      * provided that the ambient air pressure is at least 0.072 atm
      ** Keep away from fire. Samsung claims no responsibility for hydrogen explosions

    2. Re:EXTRA EXTRA! by unixisc · · Score: 1

      It will have telepathy built in, so that you can just think something, and the person at the other end of the line will know!

  20. User-interface achievements by mi · · Score: 1

    20 years ago a good of friend of mine posited, that a good computer should have only two buttons:

    • Do
    • Undo

    His proposal made sense at the time, but Apple went beyond that with one, and are now, if TFA is to be believed, going for zero... Is not technology wonderful?

    --
    In Soviet Washington the swamp drains you.
    1. Re:User-interface achievements by houstonbofh · · Score: 2

      There is no try...

    2. Re:User-interface achievements by RavenLrD20k · · Score: 3, Funny

      You can only Retry, Abort, or Ignore.

    3. Re:User-interface achievements by R3d+M3rcury · · Score: 1

      Do or Do Not. There is no Undo.

    4. Re:User-interface achievements by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Retry Abort or Ignore, had its time in the early 1980's. The question raised was, "What do you do when you get a floppy error while saving your document in WordStar". If you to the normal "BDOS error on B:", and terminate the program, then the user's document is gone and you have a very unhappy user. At least with a retry, you can try putting in another disk and hopefully it will be formatted and have enough room on it for the document. The best result is however, to retry the operation, and if the floppy is unformatted, offer to format the disk while still not leaving the application. Then again, once in a blue moon, the operation on the floppy just failed because of sunspots, and the system happily formatted it, and all the previous data on it. (douglas goodall)

    5. Re:User-interface achievements by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Found the Aspie!!!!!

    6. Re:User-interface achievements by Agripa · · Score: 1

      Forget undo. If you make a typo, you should have to reboot.

  21. Don't Freak Out by tsqr · · Score: 0, Troll

    I hear they're planning on supplying a home button adapter with the phone.

    1. Re:Don't Freak Out by fahrbot-bot · · Score: 1

      I hear they're planning on supplying a home button adapter with the phone.

      Ya, and the wireless one will be $169.

      --
      It must have been something you assimilated. . . .
  22. Down the rabbit-hole by jabberw0k · · Score: 1

    Having killed the rest of the electronics industry (can't find a single retailer in all of Greater Chicagoland that sells tabletop HD radios, having been told repeatedly, by high-end stereo places even, that "nobody listens to radio anymore") the so-called "smart" so-called "telephones" are now eating themselves into singularity. Everyone else even at the Linux meetings has one of those spy-machines that exclusively runs closed proprietary software. What the heck happened to reality? Is there anyone else left, immune to this brain-eating cancer?

    1. Re:Down the rabbit-hole by CrashNBrn · · Score: 1

      Amazon and Japan to the rescue. Models by Sangean, Degen, Tecsun or C Crane.

    2. Re: Down the rabbit-hole by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      My thoughts exactly. As fanatical as RMS is, I would rather live in his world than the environment that we currently find ourselves in. A lot of people saw it coming, but no one was able to prevent it. I fear something really bad has to happen to the majority of the population for people to realize how much power they've lost to convenience.

    3. Re: Down the rabbit-hole by hyades1 · · Score: 1

      It seems that the sheeple always win.

      Lazy, stupid and smug, even as they're being led to the shearing sheds.

      --
      I've calculated my velocity with such exquisite precision that I have no idea where I am.
  23. fuck the blind people by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Nobody cares about the blind egh ?

    1. Re:fuck the blind people by hyades1 · · Score: 1

      Regardless of your personal and professional accomplishments, if you're blind, you couldn't possibly be cool enough to own Apple hardware.

      Please try not to be bitter.

      --
      I've calculated my velocity with such exquisite precision that I have no idea where I am.
    2. Re:fuck the blind people by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Apple devices have the best accessibility out there by a landslide. It's not even close.

  24. Re:the samsung fires may force an battery kill swi by Jason+Levine · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I was wondering if the Samsung fires might result in the return of user replaceable batteries. If the batteries in the Note 7 were user replaceable, people could have turned off their phones, waited for replacement batteries, and gotten those installed (or installed them themselves). Data loss would be zero and the inconvenience to the user would be minimized. Instead, the entire phone needs to be replaced which maximizes possible data loss and inconvenience.

    --
    My sci-fi novel, Ghost Thief, is now available from Amazon.com.
  25. Re:the samsung fires may force an battery kill swi by houstonbofh · · Score: 1

    Or a removable battery, which would be better!

  26. A story? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Fuck me, civilisation is going down the pan when something as inconsequential and trivial as this conjecture is a story.
     

  27. How... Courageous! by Ragnarok89 · · Score: 1

    Apple Executives were very vocal on the subject of how much courage it took to remove the home button from their phone.

    In other news, other manufacturers celebrated their 5, 6, and 7 year "No home button on the phone" anniversaries.

  28. This makes the phone even cheaper! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    But only for them. HAHAHA.

  29. Physical buttons are expensive by jader3rd · · Score: 1

    Cut every cost.

  30. How courageous by OrangeTide · · Score: 1

    The next one won't have a screen, and you'll have to buy goggles.

    --
    “Common sense is not so common.” — Voltaire
    1. Re:How courageous by The-Ixian · · Score: 3, Funny

      They will be called eyePods

      --
      My eyes reflect the stars and a smile lights up my face.
  31. Already not a real button by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    As the NYT article says, the home "button" is already not a real button but a virtual button in the iPhone 7. It doesn't move but provides taptic feedback. Making it part of the screen would be a minor change at this point, but would allow more space for the screen. Also, read here for some interesting commentary about how many people in some countries never use the home button: http://daringfireball.net/2016... (scroll down to Home Button.)

  32. ET won't like this. by fahrbot-bot · · Score: 1

    Apple iPhone 8 - no phone home ... button.

    --
    It must have been something you assimilated. . . .
  33. More Courage by mea2214 · · Score: 1

    To Apple Courage is not just a word, it's a noun.

  34. Sony Battery!!! by DrYak · · Score: 2

    Sony claims prior art in fire-inducing lithium batteries.

    (And "hoverboard"-style self-balancing rollwe's opinion?
    "Under 100kWh. Meh. Amateurs")

    --
    "Sufficiently advanced satire is indistinguishable from reality." - [Tips: 1DrYakQDKCQ6y52z6QbnkxHXAocMZJE61o ]
  35. adapter? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    More shit to buy and carry.

    When I forgot my earbuds once, I went to the drugstore on the corner and $10 later had another pair.

    That's not going to possible with the new version.

    1. Re:adapter? by Ol+Olsoc · · Score: 1

      More shit to buy and carry.

      When I forgot my earbuds once, I went to the drugstore on the corner and $10 later had another pair.

      That's not going to possible with the new version.

      You still pissed they took lead out of gasoline?

      --
      The shepherds did so well protecting the flock that the sheep no longer believed that wolves existed.
    2. Re: adapter? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You mean quit putting it in"

    3. Re: adapter? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      guess what kind of interconnect you could use with the most expensive headphones you can buy? yeah. so how is it obsolete? its the perfect size too.

      of course apple will drop the homescreen button next year, they already made it not clicky for cost saving reasons and making it onscreen only makes it even more cheaper to produce.

    4. Re: adapter? by Ol+Olsoc · · Score: 1

      guess what kind of interconnect you could use with the most expensive headphones you can buy?

      Professionals use 1/4 inch plugs and jacks. My pro headsets would need a 1/4 to 1/8th adapter (pros don't call them dongles) to attach to your toy smartphone. All smartphones are toys. So get off your high horse.

      --
      The shepherds did so well protecting the flock that the sheep no longer believed that wolves existed.
    5. Re:adapter? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      WTF ??? that has to be one of the top stupidest things ever said by an apple worshipper

  36. So this is what civilization by vikingpower · · Score: 1

    has come to. News now is: marketing rumours about the iAnal flagship of a company that ceased innovating... how long ago again ? Ten years ? Imhotep, Archimedes and Einstein are turning in their graves.

    --
    Religous speak to God. Insane are spoken to by God. When all shut up, one can finally hear Shostakovich in peace
  37. Underwater by DrYak · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Yes, we should eliminate all those things which are working great, so there are no ports, because... reasons

    He just gave you a reason, smartass: so you can bring the phone underwater.

    I have quite a few gadgets that can go underwater (not just splash resistant, but water resistant: full IPX7-certified immersion capable) that do feature ports.

    Including the e-Book I gave present to my mother (Kobo H20) : that has ports - a microUSB charging/sync port, and a microSD card port.
    (As long as the rubber cover is over them, and isn't currently open to swap the microSD card, this thing can survive 1m under water for half an hour)

    That also includes my speaker (UE Megaboom): it has a microUSB and a 3mm Audio stereo analog jack and a huge honking battery rated at a whooping 200Wh.
    Everything that Apple deems necessary to remove just to make their phone splash resistant.
    And this speaker is not only resist spalsh but can be forgotten for some time at the bottom of my above-ground pool. And will keep playing music (though not very audible due to difficulty of transferring sound air->water->air again).

    I gave also a photo camera as a present to my girl (Olympus TG-4) this thing is rated at 15m depth (you could go diving with it). And it still has a USB connector, a SD card port, and Audio/Video connection (though the port is digital : it's a micro HDMI, not analog jack port) and fast and easy end-user replaceable battery. Though for the record it use plastic doors instead of rubber covers to protect the ports.

    So again, can you explain me why Apple needs to remove functionality that is used everywhere (just go to any student party and watch how often people plug their smartphones with their music playlists into the analog jack of whatever speaker system is laying around*) just in the name of making the damn thing splash resistant ?
    Oh yeah, I know: their obsession of making the phone thin enough to slice cheese. A rubber port cover would stay in the way.

    (It's the same company that obsesses with ridiculously small SIM card formats, even if the whole device isn't fitting directly in the ear - Lt.Uhura's style)

    ---

    (*) Apple removing the audio jack from their hardware would be like removing the floppy drive from their "canddy" iMacs... before USB flash drive got available.
    Currently only some portable speaker system feature bluetooth. Even less are hassle free (NFC-based "touch to connect").
    There are tons of old speaker systems in student dorms only accepting analog inputs. (Or even more ironically: accepting audio from the old (non-lightning) Apple connector that isn't produced anymore).

    Luckily Bluetooth to 3mm jack / -to stereo RCA (and most ironic: to Apple 30-pin) audio dongle are cheap from China over ebay, so eventually this situation might get more jack-less friendly.

    --
    "Sufficiently advanced satire is indistinguishable from reality." - [Tips: 1DrYakQDKCQ6y52z6QbnkxHXAocMZJE61o ]
    1. Re:Underwater by barc0001 · · Score: 1

      >So again, can you explain me why Apple needs to remove functionality that is used everywhere (just go to any student party and watch how often people plug their smartphones with their music playlists into the analog jack of whatever speaker system is laying around*) just in the name of making the damn thing splash resistant ?

      Because they're lying? Their true objective is multi pronged and appears to be all about pushing their own wireless standard for audio, with the secondary goal of encouraging re-purchase of wireless versions of accessories from their recently purchased Beats division.

      Basically it's all about money.

    2. Re:Underwater by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I have a kobo H2O as well, opened it up because i wanted more space and i dont keep it near water anyways (originally i wanted to read in bath, now i dont have a bath) and the thing is definitely not completely waterproof. itll hold out for a small while, but more than a simple submerge would be stupid to attempt. the glue line is kinda irregular too, so one model might be fine for a few seconds, and another might be in deep shit.

      should you wish to try opening it up, the glue is the exact same glue as sold by a brand called black witch

    3. Re:Underwater by Plumpaquatsch · · Score: 0

      Yes, we should eliminate all those things which are working great, so there are no ports, because... reasons

      He just gave you a reason, smartass: so you can bring the phone underwater.

      I have quite a few gadgets that can go underwater (not just splash resistant, but water resistant: full IPX7-certified immersion capable) that do feature ports.

      Including the e-Book I gave present to my mother (Kobo H20) : that has ports - a microUSB charging/sync port, and a microSD card port. (As long as the rubber cover is over them, and isn't currently open to swap the microSD card, this thing can survive 1m under water for half an hour)

      Always a pleasure to peel the device out of it's tight cover to be able to use any of those ports. And then explaining the water damage caused by that single drop of rain.

      --
      Of course news about a fake are Fake News.
    4. Re:Underwater by Plumpaquatsch · · Score: 1

      Their true objective is multi pronged and appears to be all about pushing their own wireless standard for audio, with the secondary goal of encouraging re-purchase of wireless versions of accessories from their recently purchased Beats division.

      Basically it's all about money.

      You mean their non-standard "BlueTooth"? As opposed to those standard non-BlueTooth wireless interfaces other companies use for all kind of shit?

      --
      Of course news about a fake are Fake News.
    5. Re:Underwater by barc0001 · · Score: 1

      Look into their W1 tech. It's Bluetooth "with more". As we know, that always works out well for global compatibility...

    6. Re:Underwater by Plumpaquatsch · · Score: 1

      Look into their W1 tech. It's Bluetooth "with more". As we know, that always works out well for global compatibility...

      So the iPhone 7 works with all Bluetooth headphones, and the new EarPods works with all devices streaming Audio over Bluetooth. And yet they are totally proprietary, unlike those wireless devices that only work with the totally standard adapters they shipped with.

      Yes, I understand your argument all too well, that Apple will stop at nothing to spread their evil proprietary stuff everywhere, not even at having them work with standards, I also understand why you like those standard non-Bluetooth devices so much, they are the only way to get around the cumbersome Bluetooth pairing. Well apart from what Apple has done, but that only works on Apple products.

      --
      Of course news about a fake are Fake News.
    7. Re:Underwater by LienRag · · Score: 1

      I gave also a photo camera as a present to my girl (Olympus TG-4)

      Your girl is named Olympus TG-4? That's badass! How often do you need to recharge her?

  38. Screen button ? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    That's already like that on my Android. Oh and there are 3 of them. Maybe for iPhone 10 ?

  39. Pebble actually did by DrYak · · Score: 1

    I mean is doing.

    Their next iteration (Pebble 2 / Pebble Time 2) is *still* only bluetooth connected and with limited low-power processing.

    But if you want to go smartphone-less, instead of trying to pack extra smartphone functionality into the watch itself (3G connectivity, Wifi support, whatever...)
    they also develop the Pebble Core a small screen-less android powered wearable computer.

    Essentially, the screen-less iPhone of your joke, but for real, and powered by Android instead of iOS (and not called the "iPhone Shuffle").

    --
    "Sufficiently advanced satire is indistinguishable from reality." - [Tips: 1DrYakQDKCQ6y52z6QbnkxHXAocMZJE61o ]
  40. Constantly annoyed by "innovation" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I want technology that is USEFUL not bean counters trying to reduce BOM costs or retarded designers who think tossing shit is cool.

    Used to be able to contact anyone I cared about instantly by touch alone holding in a single button without even looking at the screen. Now you have to context switch to the right app and select the person you want to communicate with.

    Used to be able to enter text and read the screen at the same time. Now when the onscreen keyboard pops up in landscape mode you can hardly see more than one or two lines on screen.

    Batteries used to last a week or more before charges now they won't even last a day and good luck replacing them when they get worse.

    My advice to Apple and the industry as a whole who thinks shaving ounces, millimeters and forcing people to be contortionists is somehow "cool" ... keep right on what your doing.

    1. Re:Constantly annoyed by "innovation" by HBI · · Score: 1

      Well, Apple always loses the market eventually anyway. They make boutique goods for a high end market. Eventually, the iPhone was going to lose out as they attempt to monetize it by selling add-on crap like headphones and the like. Reducing the BOM on a device isn't going to squeeze out any more efficiencies for them, so they have to eliminate hardware, like the headphone jack and the button. Also, Jobs isn't around to tell them they are assholes anymore, so the inmates run the asylum.

      This isn't a new thing, though. Apple has been going through these cycles for ages. Apple II devices, the original Macintosh, etc. The latest one was with the iPod. They took a perfectly functional device and tried to push it in a new direction with the Touch devices. I'll never buy another one because the Touch devices don't meet my needs. So they killed that market. But now the iPhone is due for a fall, and Apple is thinking they can make more money by doing this kind of stuff. They're wrong, but they'd almost assuredly get fired if they stopped "innovating".

      --
      HBI's Law: Frequency of calling others Nazis is directly correlated with the likelihood of the accuser being Communist.
  41. I use buttons by CptLoRes · · Score: 1

    My Samsung Galaxy S7 has a home, power and volume buttons. And guess what, I use them all the time. Especially having a tactile home and power button is very useful for the typical quick turn on screen to check time or messages, and then turn off screen again. I also have 128GB SD card in my phone for storage, and use the headphone jack daily. But that is another story..

    1. Re:I use buttons by JustAnotherOldGuy · · Score: 1

      Especially having a tactile home and power button is very useful

      I think so too, but Apple doesn't give a shit what people like us want. They have to increase the "shiny" while cutting manufacturing costs, and those Home buttons are apparently hella expensive!

      -

      I also have 128GB SD card in my phone for storage, and use the headphone jack daily. But that is another story..

      OMG now you've gone too far and blasphemed against The Holy Jobs of Cupertino.

      --
      Just cruising through this digital world at 33 1/3 rpm...
  42. finally by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    dedicating that space for home button never made sense.

    They can put the home button icon in the exact same space.

    It was a throwback to a time where people were skeptical of the touch screen replacing buttons (for numbers ...), so they left one. Meanwhile, android got rid of the home button a long time ago.

  43. And after that by JustAnotherOldGuy · · Score: 1

    Tim Cook: "And after that we're going to remove the phone capability and put in 7 cameras."

    --
    Just cruising through this digital world at 33 1/3 rpm...
  44. How would TouchID work? by krkhan · · Score: 1

    Can anyone please explain? That seemed to be the only useful addition they did in the past 5 years.

  45. Why removing 1/8" port was wrong by globaljustin · · Score: 1

    Here's why the whole "headphone ports are obsolete" concept is wrong (I will address the 'just use a dongle' retort after):

    1. It is a data port. Yes, it can be used for headphones, but it is very often used as a data port for all manner of key add-ons like a Square card reader. To force companies to make an Apple only version instead of a 1/8 port version compatable with everything, Apple is guaranteeing more cost and annoyance for consumers.

    Also, they just removed a port without replacing it with anything...so a device with two data ports now only has one.

    2. 100 years of backwards compatibility. Backward compatibility is a major feature that makes people's lives and jobs easier. Having a universal port shouldn't need to be defended in such a manner...it's clearly one of the most usable features of a device: being able to use it easily with other devices.

    3. Bluetooth audio is lower quality No matter what, even if Bluetooth were 2x its current quality, it won't be as good as wired audio. Bluetooth reduces audio quality and power.

    4. Bluetooth headphones are not a replacement for wired Many, many people in a number of different jobs use headphones for much, much longer than the 5 hour advertised batter life. Just the people who use it for phone calls alone is severely underrepresented in these discussions. Everyone from attorneys to field workers use headphones 8+ hours per day or more and *cannot recharge them during the day*

    "just get a dongle" - This is not a valid response. It is half a valid response...much like "lower taxes" is not an actual tax policy. Inherently, using adapters reduces functionality for several reasons, and everyone understands this fact. Responding to critics of Apple's 'jackpocalypse' by saying "Just get a dongle" is inherently disingenuous because it ignores the truth we all agree upon: Using adapters/dongles is not a permanent solution.

    Removing a feature is not evolutionary or courageous; it is doltish and stupid, revealing a marketing-driven design process that guarantees bad design. You'd think Apple would learn from Microsoft and Sony's failures....

    --
    Thank you Dave Raggett
    1. Re:Why removing 1/8" port was wrong by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      where were you when gameboy advance SP used a proprietary headphone jack?

  46. As long as we're removing something... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    You can have the home button if you bring back my headphone jack.

  47. You mean like... by WillyWanker · · Score: 1

    Like my Moto X Pure has had since a year ago?

    Now that's innovation!

    1. Re:You mean like... by bibendum59 · · Score: 1

      No, no. I believe they mean like my Nexus 5 has had since 2013.

  48. The real reason why the headphone jack is gone.... by WeezulDK · · Score: 1

    Is Apple Pay. They don't want people using the headphone jack credit card readers that come with other payment services with their devices. They want people to go through Apple Pay so they get their 30% cut..... It's greed. Plain and simple.