This might be good news to all gamers as Apple has reportedly been applying for a patent that points to a pop out joystick-enabled home button. According to the Daily Mail, there is a plan to make the classic iPhone/iPad home button a spring-enabled button that pops out when the need arises. View the actual photo of the plan here.
The joystick pops out every time the user clicks the home button once. A single push back on the slightly elevated button brings it back to its original place. Despite this, it has been made clear that the current Touch ID fingerprint sensor feature of the home button retains.
"The multi-function input device is operable in at least a first mode and a second mode...In one example, the multi-function input device may have a button mode and a joystick mode...The input device head may not project outward from the surface when not being used as a joystick, thus avoiding compromising aesthetic appearance of the electronic device, preventing potential damage to mechanisms utilized to project the input device head, and/or keeping the input device head out of the way when not being utilized as a joystick," the Daily Mail report said citing the Apple patent.
Could this actually mean that an iPhone 7 with a joystick feature is already on the way? This new Apple patent does not actually guarantee us what next generation of iPhone or iPads would look like, but these gives its avid fans an idea of what might be in the works for them in the near future. Though unconfirmed, it might be unfair to just dismiss this information as nothing as there is of course a possibility that joystick-enabled Apple devices would really make it to the market in the future. But as far as the iPhone 7 is concerned, nothing is set in stone just yet.
Latin Times says that based on the images on the diagrams provided, it appears that the joystick looks "somewhat flimsy" and may cause frustration among users.
Metro's Gary Marshall also aired his disapproval. He suggests that this patent could actually not make it, considering the several other ideas and patents the firm has. He also said that he is personally not into this joystick idea. "The patent does sound very much like a 'let's patent it just in case' thing," he says.
Apple, in its patent, said that a touchscreen for gaming has several disadvantages. "For example, a user's finger may need to cover part of the screen while the user is controlling the game...This may interfere with the user's ability to see what he is controlling and/or other portions of the game display. Additionally, a touch screen may be unable to provide tactile feedback and the ability to provide tactile feedback during a game may enhance the user's game experience," Daily Mail quoted the patent.
Earlier, it was also speculated that a new flexible iPhone 7 is gonna come out soon after the United States Patent and Trademark Office granted Apple a patent to create a flexible device.
According to other rumors, the next iPhone would get a facial recognition feature and a camera upgrade, which could reach as high as 21 megapixel camera with DSLR-quality lens. It is also speculated that two iPhones -- iPhone 6S and iPhone 7 -- are expected to be released this year. Apple has yet to respond on the matter.