Core2 (575)
Aimée (280)
SpasticPat (248)
Cristian (237)
undfeatable (217)
JustinQ (158)
Vernicularis (143)
Brett (138)
Braden (132)
Darren (127)
Andres (125)
Daveydog (122)
Joe (122)
John Berggren (121)
Richard (121)
Jeff in Everett (98)
Ryan P (92)
ShaneR926 (92)
Mark (90)
wowman (82)iPhone 5 Home Button Exposé Crushes Photos of Overhauled Form Factor
Posted by Michael Nace on Wednesday Sep 14, 2011 Under Uncategorized
From HowToArena.com
Earlier photos that purported to show reams of new, larger iPhone 5 screens sporting elongated home buttons has met some fresh skepticism.
iPhone 5 enthusiasts may remember a set of leaked photos from mid August that purported to depict staffers at either Fxconn or Pegatron churning out reams of new screens for the iPhone 5, and that these new screens were decidedly larger than the iPhone 4, complete with an elongated home button cutout. We reported on it — albeit with a healthy bit of skepticism — in an earlier article. These photos became exhibit A in the speculation that the iPhone 5 would indeed feature an overhaul of its current from factor, which would include a 4″+ screen and radical changes to the home button — two iPhone 5 features that have received a lot of attention over the past year or so.
A new revelation today from HowToArena, however, purports to show a leaked component for the iPhone 5 that would suggest the home button will remain the standard, circular button featured on previous iPhone models.
According to AppleInsider, who has helped to perpetuate the story, “The “iPhone 5 Home Button Flex Cable Ribbon Circuit,” found by How To Arena, appears to indicate that the home button of the next-generation iPhone will have a similar shape and size as the one found on previous iPhone models.”
A mid-August photo of purported iPhone 5 screens with cutouts for elongated, multi-touch home buttons.
This new piece of evidence, albeit unconfirmed, supports the other end of speculation regarding the next iPhone: that it will retain the overall form factor and hardware characteristics of the iPhone 4. The iPhone 5 News Blog‘s own source from within the consumer electronics accessories industry, who chooses to remain anonymous, has continuously confirmed that the next iPhone will indeed utilize the iPhone 4′s specs, which we have reported in earlier articles. Even as recently as today, he confirmed to us in an e-mail, “By the way, looks like it’s quite clear that what the new iPhone will look like. We are delighted that our old iPhone cases can continue to sell…”
To be sure, the photo of this purported home button component is an easy one to fabricate: you simply have to take an iPhone 4 and start telling people it’s actually from an iPhone 5. At the same time, it can be argued that a small part like this would be much easier to smuggle out of Foxconn or Pegatron than to take a relatively clear photo of staffers pumping out sheets of new iPhone 5 screens admist the draconian security that Apple’s components suppliers and assemblers are no doubt required to maintain.
At best, this new photo is a wash, and simply counters the earlier elongated home button/larger screen claims. It is by no means what we could call a “smoking gun” piece of iPhone 5 evidence.
By Michael Nace
September 14th, 2011 at 10:29 am
I’m not suprized. Apple needs to keep the button the same until they roll out iOS 5 and get the sheep (I mean people) used to gesture based home button commands.
The beauty of Apple products is anyone can pick it up and intuitively use it. You push the only button on the front, the screen lights up and states “Slide to unlock”.
Give someone an Android phone, and they have to look it over for a minute to identify where they put the power button.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
September 14th, 2011 at 10:39 am
4″+ ? did i read 4″+ ? there where talks about the next gen i phone being a less than 4″ , whats this rumor now ? i hope its true .
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
September 14th, 2011 at 10:41 am
Yep! It’s so time saving, especially if you use more than 50 different phones every day! Imbiciles!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
September 14th, 2011 at 10:43 am
I think an increase Screen size would be the biggest thing (no pun intended) Apple could do to drive sales. If the phone looks like the iPhone 4, besides being faster, it really does not give much for current owners to really desire.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
September 14th, 2011 at 11:19 am
What the heck does ‘Elongated’ mean anyway?
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
September 14th, 2011 at 11:44 am
Sorry but that doesnt look like an iPhone home button. First of all it looks more convex than concave as the standard iPhone products have. Second there is a circle in the middle instead of a square and the surface looks more of a texured matte finish than a smooth shiney finish. Could be a bad photo but probably a Chinese copy. iWhatever!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
September 14th, 2011 at 12:01 pm
I’m not thrilled with the idea that there would be no new screen real-estate on the iPhone 5. A small consolation would be a wealth of 3rd party cases that would work for the new unit.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
September 14th, 2011 at 12:18 pm
I still find it hard to believe that all those China places making the iPhone 5 silicone cases are merely guessing.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
September 14th, 2011 at 12:29 pm
@ iWhatever! That is not the home button that you would see on the outside of the phone, that is what is on the inside of the phone. The home button that everyone knows and loves is just a little plastic piece, but that piece is behind it.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
September 14th, 2011 at 12:42 pm
@ xtonyx Yeah thanks, I realized that after I posted my comment.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
September 14th, 2011 at 12:52 pm
If this Home button is real then it could also be from the new cheap iPhone 4 that just got FCC approval. I’m really hoping that the picture of the poeple making the iPhone 5 with a new design is real. Thats the iPhone 5 that would be worth waiting all this time for.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
September 14th, 2011 at 1:38 pm
@JustinQ, that’s what I’m hoping for too. This is getting on my nerves.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
September 14th, 2011 at 2:01 pm
[...] found by How To Arena, …Will the iPhone 5 Have a Circle Home Button After all?Gotta Be MobileiPhone 5 Home Button Exposé Crushes Photos of Overhauled Form FactorThe iPhone 5 News Blog (blog)iPhone 5 might not see change in home buttonUbergizmoGadgetsteriaall 8 [...]
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
September 14th, 2011 at 2:28 pm
Why would the piece behind the home button look different if the button is supposed to look and function the same as the iPhone 4?
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
September 14th, 2011 at 2:32 pm
@johntheone, it just means that it is a longer oval shape instead of a little circle.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
September 14th, 2011 at 2:54 pm
Verizon is calling people and offering discounted iPhone 4…. What’s the rush if they are going to be selling them as the cheaper alternative, I wonder….
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
September 14th, 2011 at 3:47 pm
@Daveydog – AT&T has been trying to get me to use my upgrade for about a month now. I’ve been eligible since February. They don’t call me though, just lots of mail and emails which I hadn’t received prior to August. I’ve chalked it up as a last ditch marketing effort to sell as many smart phones (with an emphasis on the iP4) as possible before the imminent release of the iPhone 5.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
September 14th, 2011 at 4:34 pm
I understand it’s fairly irrelevant… I guess my question is if they plan to continue with the 4 as a lower priced alternative, what’s the rush. Pushing discounted 4 models somewhat suggests they are moving stock….
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
September 14th, 2011 at 11:55 pm
And just to add to the woo-hoo … D’oh! cycle
Here’s another picture suggesting a changed design:
http://iphonetips.org/iphone-5-silicone-case-with-thinner-structural-design-final-drawing-specs.html
Like or Dislike:
0 
0