The new iPhone is reveled to have changed a design that has been with the smartphone since the beginning.
The mute switch, which users activate to put their phone on silent, has been replaced with an “Action Button”, which can be reprogramed for other purposes. Critics are divided as to whether the change will be welcomed by users. Forbes reports:
While it’s good to see Apple thinking about the usability of the Action Button, the discovery of additional haptic feedback will only strengthen the conviction of users who feel its inclusion is unnecessary. The mute switch has become muscle memory for millions of iPhone owners around the world.
But there are upsides. Earlier iOS 17 beta code revealed the Action Button will be customizable with a wide variety of potential functions: Accessibility, Shortcuts, Silent Mode, Camera, Flashlight, Focus, Magnifier, Translate and Voice Memos. Whether multiple functions can be assigned to different press combinations, pressures, or gestures remains to be seen.
The mute button is sometimes difficult to access if the iPhone has a protective case. The action button could be used for specific purposes that users go to a lot, such as the flashlight. The color pallet of iPhones has also been revealed. Mac Rumors has the story:
In the last few years, iPhone lineups have launched with just five color options, with a sixth following in the spring to boost sales midway through the device’s product cycle.
Apple is expected to continue this trend for the 6.1-inch iPhone 15 and 6.7-inch iPhone 15 Plus. How do we know? Because leaked pictures suggest Apple will also color-match the charging cable that comes in the box with each device.
The color matching could be seen as a cynical ploy to get people to only buy the cable matching their phone, but is most likely a way for people to enjoy their phone color even with a case on. Regardless, any USB-C cable will work with the iPhone.
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