The volume buttons of future iPhones could function as Action Buttons. (Photo: HWZ)
The Action Button, which is inspired by the Apple Watch Ultra, may be expanded to the iPad and Mac according to a recently published patent application by the company.
Patently Apple spotted a recently published patent application by Apple which calls for the expansion of the Action Button feature to all three buttons on the left side of the iPhone. This means what is now the volume buttons could become customisable Action Buttons. The patent also describes how it an Action Button might feature in an iPad or even a Mac.
One of the illustrations in the patent application shows how each button on the left side of the device can be customised as a shortcut to a function (e.g. start timer, new note). The buttons are also described in the patent application to have haptic motors for tactile feedback.
All three buttons on the left side of the device can be assigned a shortcut. (Photo: U.S Patent Office)
The Action Button was first introduced on the Apple Watch Ultra, and it allows users to quickly start a workout, stopwatch, or turn on the torch function. It replaced the silent switch on the Apple iPhone 15 Pro and is now found on both the iPhone 16 Pro and regular iPhone 16 models.
Source: Patently Apple via 9to5Mac
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