http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3715035/Is-iPhone-7-set-replace-buttons-dial-Apple-patents-digital-crown-used-Watch-phones-tablets.html

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Is the iPhone 7 set to replace buttons with a dial? Apple patents ‘digital crown’ used in its Watch for phones and tablets

  • Patent filed March 2014 and published July 28
  • Hardware would replace the actions of the physical tab buttons
  • Could be volume knob to increase or decrease volume output by speakers
  • Also discusses a button and slide switch used for other functions

Apple’s recent application describes a ‘rotary input’ attached to iOS-based devices that would be used to adjust the volume, scroll, resize text and a wide rang of other actions.

A new patent suggests it could make a comeback in a future iPhone or iPad. Apple¿s recent application describes a ¿rotary input¿ attached to iOS-based devices that would be used to adjust the volume, scrolling, resizing text, among other actions. Pictures is a concept drawing of the digital crown

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A new patent suggests it could make a comeback in a future iPhone or iPad. Apple’s recent application describes a ‘rotary input’ attached to iOS-based devices that would be used to adjust the volume, scrolling, resizing text, among other actions. Pictures is a concept drawing of the digital crown

WHAT DOES THE PATENT REVEAL?

Apple’s recent application describes a ‘rotary input’ attached to iOS-based devices that would be used to adjust the volume, scrolling, resizing text, among other actions.

This hardware would replace the actions of the physical tab buttons, currently being used in the iPhone and iPad devices.

Although the new document could change how users interact with their phones, it also reveals that Apple might not give up the physical buttons just yet.

The pages discuss a button and slide switch that would be used for other functions.

For example, the button would be used as ‘a power button’ to turn the device on and off.

And the slide switch would mute the device.

Blackberry Electron was one of the last smartphones to hold on to the digital crown, which was eventually traded in for the iconic track ball in 2006.

However, this hardware isn’t new to the Cupertino firm, as it is used to interact with the Apple Watch – which may be why the firm is toying with the idea of removing the physical tabs.

The tech giant believed this method would make it easier to scroll, zoom in and out and send message with the Watch.

The patent, first spotted by Patently Apple, suggests that the ‘rotary input can be a volume knob by which a user’s can increase or decrease a volume output by speakers that can be included in devices’, reads the application called ‘Capacitive Touch Panel for Sensing Mechanical Inputs to a Device’, which was filed back in March 2014.

Although the new document could change how users interact with their phones, it also reveals that Apple might not get rid of the physical buttons completely.

 

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