New iPhone action button functions

[Cmaier]

iPhone 15 Pro: Action button functions revealed by iOS 17?

One of the most exciting new features coming to the iPhone 15 Pro is a dedicated button that will replace...

9to5mac.com

Allegedly the iPhone 15 Pro action button (replacing the mute switch) will have nine assignment options: Accessibility, Shortcuts, Silent Mode, Camera, Flashlight, Focus, Magnifier, Translate, and Voice Memos.

Being able to push a button to launch the camera, even if the phone is locked and the screen is off, will be what I most look forward to. Help me void missing some shots.

The accessibility stuff will presumably great for my mother-in-law. She can’t see anymore, so a hard button to launch things will help a lot.

 

[MEJHarrison]

For me it would come down to the camera or the flashlight. I'd probably pick the flashlight. But might change it depending on conditions (taking lots of photos).

 

[Eric]

For me it would come down to the camera or the flashlight. I'd probably pick the flashlight. But might change it depending on conditions (taking lots of photos).

I've found that accessing the flashlight from the locks screen is the easiest for me, I'm pretty used to it now.

Can't wait for this new iPhone, still rocking my 13 with it's old beat up case and cracked screen protector and am ready for the upgrade.

 

[Cmaier]

For me it would come down to the camera or the flashlight. I'd probably pick the flashlight. But might change it depending on conditions (taking lots of photos).

Maybe tap-and-hold or double-tap will be assignable as separate functions.

 

[Edd]

Still using an SE2 which has been an excellent phone, performs like new. I want to keep the size and some form of Touch ID. Holding out hope a model like that comes along in the next year.

 

[MEJHarrison]

I've found that accessing the flashlight from the locks screen is the easiest for me, I'm pretty used to it now.

I'm used to it too. And it works great 80-90% of the time. I think a button would come closer 100%. Of course I might find it turning on unintentionally. So it might not be better in practice.

 

[Roller]

I don't understand how this would replace the mute switch. I can see where the current state (on or silent) could be indicated by something on the screen or an audible signal, but that wouldn't let you do it by feel, which I do often.

 

[Cmaier]

I don't understand how this would replace the mute switch. I can see where the current state (on or silent) could be indicated by something on the screen or an audible signal, but that wouldn't let you do it by feel, which I do often.

Yep, if you often switch back and forth, this is likely a backward step (though I imagine you will still get the haptic feedback when you switch to mute, you can’t just feel the button to determine whether you are in mute). I always keep mine on mute, so for me this is great.

 

[MEJHarrison]

I always keep mine on mute...

Same here. I also have calls blocked. Don't try to call me on my pocket computer. That's not what it's for. If you must contact me, send a text. If you call, it's not even going to ring. If you call and leave a voice mail, you're getting a text back (maybe). My mother is the sole exception to the rule, and even then, I only answer about 1/2 her calls. I only loosened the rules with her because she's ancient now and has a hard time texting.

It might be called a "phone", but I do my best to ignore that functionality. It's only a phone because my provider doesn't offer a plan without phone service. If they did, I'd get it in a heartbeat.

One of my favorite sayings is "if I liked people, I wouldn't have chosen to work with computers for a living".

 

[ArgoDuck]

One of my favorite sayings is "if I liked people, I wouldn't have chosen to work with computers for a living".

I’ve often joked I prefer to be thought of as an a-social scientist for similar reasons

 

[Cmaier]

One of my favorite sayings is "if I liked people, I wouldn't have chosen to work with computers for a living".

I’m a misanthrope and an introvert. One of the main reasons I switched jobs after designing CPUs for 14 years was that I thought maybe becoming a lawyer would force me to get used to dealing with people. It may have. But I’m still building a tiny Macintosh computer in my spare time to keep myself sane.

 

[Roller]

Same here. I also have calls blocked. Don't try to call me on my pocket computer. That's not what it's for. If you must contact me, send a text. If you call, it's not even going to ring. If you call and leave a voice mail, you're getting a text back (maybe). My mother is the sole exception to the rule, and even then, I only answer about 1/2 her calls. I only loosened the rules with her because she's ancient now and has a hard time texting.

It might be called a "phone", but I do my best to ignore that functionality. It's only a phone because my provider doesn't offer a plan without phone service. If they did, I'd get it in a heartbeat.

One of my favorite sayings is "if I liked people, I wouldn't have chosen to work with computers for a living".

Unfortunately, that won’t work for me. I have to rely on audible notifications for calls and texts when my phone is in my pocket. Vibrations are too easy to miss.

 

[Citysnaps]

Unfortunately, that won’t work for me. I have to rely on audible notifications for calls and texts when my phone is in my pocket. Vibrations are too easy to miss.

Apple Watch works really good for that. Especially when driving and can't fish the phone out of my pocket.