iPhone and iPad to Lose the Home Button on Future Models?

With the release of iOS 4.3beta1, some details about future features and hardware changes for iOS devices have been uncovered in the iOS 4.3 code. BGR is reporting that the discovery of new multigestures in the iPad firmware, suggests that Apple is moving towards getting rid of the home button.

Here’s what BGR reported:

We just got some pretty wild information from one of our Apple sources and while it’s hard to believe at first, it does make sense. We have exclusively been told that the reason Apple just added multitouch gestures for the iPad in the latest iOS 4.3 beta is because the iPad will be losing the home button. Yes, we are told that Apple, at some point in time, will remove the home button from the iPad’s design. Instead of button taps, you will use new multitouch gestures to navigate to the home screen and also to launch the app switcher.

That’s not all, however. In addition to the home button disappearing from the iPad, we’re told that this change will make its way over to the iPhone as well. Our source said Apple employees are already testing iPads and iPhones with no home buttons on the Apple campus, and it’s possible we will see this new change materialize with the next-generation iPad and iPhone devices set to launch this year.

This would be a huge departure and really changed how we interact with our iDevices. Do you think this is a good idea?

[BGR]

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