Roger Fingas
For its 2016 iPhone models, Apple is reportedly placing LCD driver orders with Synpatics because of delays with in-house work on merging touch and display components.
Development on single-chip touch and display driver integration (TDDI) has "fallen behind schedule," DigiTimes said on Thursday, citing industry sources. The people didn't suggest a cause for the setback.
DigiTimes has a mixed track record with covering Apple products beyond its narrow supply chain focus. The latest rumor is consistent, however, with information from an AppleInsider source in June, which indicated that Apple is working towards removing the home button from iPhones, but won't have the technology ready until at least 2017.
TDDI is a fundamental ingredient for such technology, and past rumors have hinted that the company is trying to build Touch ID sensors into iPhone displays. This would allow users to unlock a phone simply by touching the screen, and give Apple the option of further trimming down bezels and weight. A multi-touch gesture would likely be needed to jump back to the homescreen, unless an onscreen button is used instead.
Some time ago Apple hired senior engineers from Renesas SP Drivers — now a part of Synaptics — to work on TDDI, DigiTimes added. Apple attempted to buy a controlling interest in Renesas in 2014, but the latter company is believed to have turned to Synpatics after making no progress in talks.
Christine McKee
William Gallagher
Malcolm Owen
Wesley Hilliard
37 Comments
Some rumors are called "rumors" Other rumors are called "reports" How does AI decide?
Wonder how Apple can replace the functions of the home button.
1. Unlock/TouchID - simply press down on the screen
2. Ask Siri - ?
3. Go to home page - ?
4. App selector - ?
They could put a little triangle, a circle, and a square on the bottom when needed, and they could hide when not needed...
I think the physical Home button will be gone as early as with next iPhone. But I think they will keep the same design but with a circle on the glass and a force touch sensor beneath it. The moving part has always malfunctioned eventually, but I don't think apple will drastically change the design with removing the button. An on screen button is too much like android, a swipe guesture or some multitouch is too hard with one hand. But maybe this is just wishful thinking from my part? IMHO they have added to many guestures. They need to make it simple again.
The home button is not going away any time soon. It may not remain a physical mechanical button at some point, but it is just too nice of a feature to go away.
[quote name="sog35" url="/t/189947/rumor-claims-apple-ordering-synaptics-lcd-parts-amid-delays-in-ditching-iphones-home-button#post_2801994"]I think I cracked it on how Apple can get rid of the physical homebutton. 1. To unlock/TouchID - force touch the glass 2. To go to home screen - force touch the bottom of the screen. There can be an option to allow a translucent digital button on the bottom of the screen to 'train' people. 3. Siri - force touch bottom of the screen twice 4. App selector - force touch corner of the screen (already seen in 6s) Of course Apps need to make sure bottom the screen is not used for force touch. By going to a zero bezel phone the 7+ would be almost as pocketable as the 6s. I think this is going to happen for iPhone7. We heard 'rumors' that touchID wasnt' going to be ready for the 5s, that large screens were not going to be ready for 6. All BS. [/quote] I've posted this idea before. With apps that part of the screen won't be force-touch-programmable. The only problem I see with this idea is people getting confused which side of the phone the home button is on. I'm not sure if this tech is ready within a year since they'd have to hide the earpiece,camera and sensors behind the screen also. A transparent screen would work but again, very futuristic.* *a transparent capable display would allow an e-ink mode which I've been waiting for since 2010.