Future iPhones, iPads, and Macs Could Have Multiple Action Buttons

An Apple patent has revealed that future iPhones could effectively have multiple Action buttons, as all three buttons on the left side of the phone could be user-configurable.

The same patent suggests similar capabilities could be available on other Apple devices, including iPads and Macs…

An electronic device detects a first input on a first input area, separate from a display of the electronic device, comprising detecting a first portion of the first input followed by a second portion of the first input. In response to detecting the first input on the first input area: With the first portion of the first input meeting criteria set 1 or more, the electronic device displays a first preview corresponding to a first operation of the first application. With the second portion of the first input meeting criteria set 2, the electronic device performs a first operation of the first application. With the second portion of the first input meeting criteria set 2, the electronic device performs a second operation of the second application.

The wording is a bit confusing, but the illustrations provide the clearest picture of what the company is thinking.

This drawing shows a representation of the actual phone, with the Action button and two volume buttons highlighted on the left, with a 3D image of the phone's screen.

The interface allows the user to select individual buttons and assign functions to them in much the same way we do with Action buttons today.

In this example, the volume down button is configured to call a favorite contact:

The document describes the use of haptic motors to provide tactile feedback when buttons are used.

The drawings primarily show an iPhone, but Apple notes that the patent also applies to iPads and Macs.

In some cases, the device is a portable communications device, such as a mobile phone, that also contains other functions, such as PDA and/or music player functions. Examples of portable multi-function devices include, without limitation, the iPhone […] and iPad devices from Apple Inc., headquartered in Cupertino, California. Other portable electronic devices, such as laptops or tablet computers that have a touch-sensitive surface (e.g., a touchscreen and/or a trackpad), are optionally used.

Touchscreen Mac advocates may be excited by that news, but note that the full phrase is "a notebook or tablet computer with a touch surface"—and in addition, Apple includes both trackpads and physical capacitive buttons in the touch surface category.

As usual, it's worth noting that Apple patents things it never implements, but given the history here, first the Action button and then the Camera Control button, it seems like we can expect this trend to continue.