Apple testing multitouch gestures for iPhone 4 internally?

By on Jan 19, 2011 at 8:31 PM
Exclusive January 19, 2011

One of our Apple sources has just sent us over a couple screen shots from what we’re told is an internal test model of the iPhone 4. The shots are interesting because it looks like Apple is testing multitouch gestures on the iPhone in addition to the iPad. While this isn’t shocking, what’s interesting is that internally, the same amount of fingers applies to gestures on both devices. What we mean by this, is that you have to use four finger gestures on the iPhone just like the iPad — kind of difficult such a comparatively tiny screen. It might be easier with say… a multitouch gesture area below the screen, sort of where the home button is? Oh, wait. We imagine things will be refined as testing progresses, but we have to ask in all seriousness — can you handle four fingers? Check out our gallery for a few more images!

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  • http://twitter.com/smellati Shahin Mellati

    oooooo, internal testing, omg! Im pretty sure they internal tested a lot of things that didnt make the cut, like flash and other concepts.

    • DaHarder

      Probably…

      I’m just wondering how many testers were forced to ‘shave down their fingers’ in order to use 4 to 5 of them on such a small screen – XD!

  • http://www.facebook.com/peterf Peter Fares

    It would be hilarious if they removed the home button. Have fun using the phone with one hand.

    • Anonymous

      Right. The iPhone would require two handed operation to switch apps and return home.

      Interested in seeing how they implement this.

      • http://twitter.com/PuttyApp PuttyApp

        thats exacly the reason they probably wont, its just nice having a choice to do that on the screen, they will not be getting rid of a home button…

      • Anonymous

        ha! you said choice

    • http://twitter.com/ltamake Link Tamake

      That or they’ll pull a Palm and make a “gesture area” (which I actually hope that they do).

      • http://www.facebook.com/peterf Peter Fares

        Then why do they need these screen gestures if they are making a “gesture area” like palm?

    • Anonymous

      LOL..looks weird though as if mixing dough by hand, for iPhone without Home button hope they make some gesture for middle finger, one for a pinky..

  • Keatonandrew

    Two and three fingers would make a LOT more sense than four or five… why are they even bothering with something so awkward? I just tried it on my phone. Nope, I wouldn’t want to use so many fingers.

  • Anonymous

    Always give her the 4 fingers before the 5th.

    Wait

  • xima

    They can just put another ‘Sleep’-sized button for ‘home’ on top and remove this recent problematic one to open room for a bigger screen.

    • http://www.facebook.com/peterf Peter Fares

      It still makes you hold the phone awkward. Do you usually hold your phone where you can easily access the top? I don’t. I hold my phone near the bottom, using my pinky as support for the bottom. Would be really annoying reaching for the top whenever I want to go home.

  • http://twitter.com/mistercarter7 Mike Gonzalez

    i think they should implement a Palm Pre 2-like invisible home button, i mean, just swipe your finger over it and it will light up and do whatever the gesture done

  • http://www.facebook.com/wmcdaniel1 Wes McDaniel

    I can’t wait until Apple reveals this magical, button-less, new navigating-with-gestures concept. Nothing like what Palm has had for years.

  • SF

    3 fingers should work just fine

    • Anonymous

      4 can be better

      • Anonymous

        How about the middle finger gorgeous????

      • Anonymous

        i think im good

  • Anonymous

    In android all you need’s the middle finger to do JUST ABOUT ANYTHING.

    I mean, really, when has apple known how to build easy to use interfaces. NEVER!

    Android’s complicated because WE the Goofan (aka Apple Hater) nation want it that way. That will help to make sure that “regular” folks don’t invade our territory because they won’t know how to use the Android phones. Which suits me perfectly! Only the super smart need apply here!!!!! In android world that is!

    • Kinndle

      You suc

  • Dario69

    Like a true Apple fan site. Posts wasted on rumors and speculation. Just like the double resolution on the iPad2. I have read enough to know this is just bogus. Jonathan, the son of Zach.

  • Anonymous

    A massive pile of BS! At least if you told us two or three fingers it would be believable. 4 or 5 is out the question. Apples mantra is ease of use and in no way is using 4/5 fingers easy on a small screen. Moreover it’ll prevent users from using it one handed, which will not go down well.

    Either this is a photoshopped hoax, or it’s a very old internal build.

  • http://twitter.com/iFlossHIC iFlossâ„¢

    Honestly, I don’t think it’ll be that difficult. Pinch to zoom requires you to use two fingers just hold the phone in one hand and you’ll get it down. They’re not going to release some underdeveloped replacement to the home screen button especially when its become a an iPhone trademark.

    Think realisitcally

  • Batteman87

    I’d think two world work three maybe….four might be reaching

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_GP2WYAHXS6CRUREISWBGPUSUGE Michael

    Is apple porting something from Cyanogen and Android over?

  • Bdobry

    How do you pinch with 4 fingers?

  • Anonymous

    The home button is not disappearing. If there was a “multitouch area” below the screen, it couldn’t be differentiated from the screen which would seriously confuse everything. The only possibility is multi-touch “buttons” as in Android, but these are almost universally reviled by those forced to use them. Using four fingers on the iPhone works fine for me and I have very large hands.

  • http://www.theiphoneaddict.com/ theiphoneaddictDOTcom

    I dont think this would work…..Hey Apple KEEP the home button

  • http://twitter.com/D4mi4n1988 Damian Wozniak

    Dont worry your fingers will magically get smaller :)

  • Seansolo2k3

    50% battery? Looks like a legit screenshot to me.

  • http://tvjames.blogspot.com/ TV James

    Maybe it will come with sandpaper so we can whittle down our fingers so that we can work it on the iPhone.

  • Cosmosjoshys

    sounds like they’re basically trying to make the iphone os more like webos!

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