Apple's 'iPhone 8' may allow triggering Siri by holding sleep/wake button

To get around the absence of a physical home button, the "iPhone 8" may let people trigger Siri by holding down the sleep/wake button when they're not using "Hey Siri."

The option was allegedly uncovered in source code by Brazilian iOS developer Guilherme Rambo. He didn't say immediately identify which code, but Rambo was previously responsible for uncovering secrets from leaked Apple HomePod firmware, including the "iPhone 8's" apparent "SmartCam" feature.

Without a home button, Apple is reportedly having to make major interface adjustments for the "iPhone 8," implementing new gestures and a "software bar," as well as replacing Touch ID with 3D facial recognition. The company could conceivably put Siri in the software bar, but there have been no rumors to that effect yet.

Apple will finally reveal the phone at a Sept. 12 press event. The company is also expected to show off the "iPhone 7s" and "7s Plus,", an LTE-equipped Apple Watch, and a new Apple TV with 4K and HDR support.

Rambo recently claimed that the FCC identifier for the Apple TV is "BCGA1842," while a Canadian equivalent is "579C-A1842." The FCC number didn't show up in an AppleInsider database search.

36 Comments

KingPacific 18 comments · 7 Years

About 7 years ago

I appreciate we are all excited and starved for new Apple products but why does it feel like when I read this headline I am watching kiddies digging at the wall of the living room with a spoon trying to get to the Christmas Tree on the other side .

srivarib 2 comments · 7 Years

Then how are you going to switch off the phone?

doozydozen 539 comments · 11 Years

srivarib said:

Then how are you going to switch off the phone?

Maybe the implementation is: tap to sleep/awake, hold for half a second to invoke Siri, continue holding for 3 seconds to power off. Admittedly, this solution would be ugly. Siri would be trying to help you before getting cutoff by the slide to power off. Yikes...

Removing the home button causes more problems than it resolves.

StrangeDays 12959 comments · 8 Years

repressthis said:

srivarib said:

Then how are you going to switch off the phone?

Maybe the implementation is: tap to sleep/awake, hold for half a second to invoke Siri, continue holding for 3 seconds to power off. Admittedly, this solution would be ugly. Siri would be trying to help you before getting cutoff by the slide to power off. Yikes...

Removing the home button causes more problems than it resolves.

You don't know that. you're speculating based on rumors and unknowns.