Volkswagen's new ID. Polo electric car reintroduces physical buttons for controls, contrasting with previous models, and features a modern interior with recycled materials, aiming to offer an affordable, spacious, and sustainable urban EV starting at less than $30,000, with sales beginning in April 2026.
Modern F1 steering wheels are highly complex, featuring numerous buttons and controls for various functions like DRS, pit-lane speed, and energy management, evolved from simple wheels of the past to advanced, customized electronic interfaces tailored to each driver and team, reflecting technological advancements and safety considerations in racing.
Leaked photos of alleged dummy iPhone 16 units suggest that Apple is making significant design changes, including the addition of a programmable action button and a "Capture" button for zooming and snapping photos. The iPhone 16 Pro models are expected to be 0.2-inches larger than last year, with the iPhone 16 Pro at 6.3-inches and the iPhone 16 Pro Max at 6.9-inches. However, there's disappointment that the physical home button won't be making a return.
Some automakers are beginning to listen to consumer feedback and bring back physical buttons in their vehicles' infotainment systems, as many drivers find touchscreens distracting and dangerous. Porsche is leading the way with the 2024 Cayenne featuring buttons, and Volkswagen has acknowledged that consumer feedback played a role in this decision. However, many automakers are still focused on cutting costs and may not follow this trend unless it becomes financially beneficial.
New CAD files obtained by 9to5Mac reveal that the iPhone 15 Pro will feature traditional volume buttons instead of the previously rumored haptic buttons, but will include a new mute button that adds additional functionality. The updated CADs also show a more reasonable camera bump design with protrusions that are less comical. The bezels are incredibly narrow, USB-C is present, and the entire frame of the device is far more rounded than the current iPhone 14 series. These new CADs add credibility to previously leaked information and accurately represent what current manufacturers are being given to design accessories.
Apple has decided to revert back to a two-button design for the volume module on the iPhone 15 Pro models, abandoning the unified volume button that was previously rumored. The mute switch will also be replaced by a physical button, referred to as the "ringer button" or "action button." Apple had been working on a solid-state button design with haptic feedback, but unresolved technical issues led to the change. The iPhone 15 Pro models are still in the Engineering Validation Test stage and have not reached final production.
Rumors about the iPhone 15 lineup include a possible red color option, a mute button instead of a switch, a more subdued camera bump for the Pro Max, and the removal of physical buttons in favor of solid-state "taptic" buttons. Analysts predict that the Pro models will have USB-C ports with faster transfer speeds, while the base model may not. Apple is reportedly testing iPhones with USB-C, and may replace the Lightning port with USB-C in 2023. The Dynamic Island may become standard across all iPhone 15 models.
Apple is set to replace the Ring/Silent switch on the upcoming iPhone 15 Pro and Ultra with a new "Action Button" that will allow users to perform a variety of tasks based on how many times they click it. The buttons will also house a microprocessor that will manage contactless transactions, UWB, and Bluetooth connections even when the phone is off or dead, potentially giving the iPhone a longer second life. The removal of the Ring switch marks the end of the Steve Jobs era for iPhone, as the device will be left with zero hardware features that made up the original iPhone.
Fitbit's attempt to replace physical buttons with an inductive button on its Charge 3, Charge 4, Versa 3, and Sense trackers proved to be a mistake. Users found the button unreliable and confusing, with haptic feedback causing more problems than it solved. Fitbit has since returned to physical buttons on its latest devices, but it may be too late as the company has been acquired by Google and faces competition from the Pixel Watch. Physical buttons remain important for wearables, providing dependability and predictability.
CAD renders of the iPhone 15 Pro have been leaked, revealing a new button design with fewer buttons and no mute switch. The buttons are expected to be solid-state and offer haptic feedback. The base iPhone 15 model may still have a mute switch. The renders also show smaller camera sensors on the Pro model. The benefits of the new button design are not clear, but it could offer easier replacement and faster functionality. However, accidental presses may be an issue without physical buttons.
Newly surfaced renders of the Apple iPhone 15 Pro reveal a condensed button design with haptic feedback, a smaller camera with two lenses, and the removal of the mute switch. It is unclear how Apple will maintain image quality with a smaller camera.
The concept of "button dogs" - dogs that communicate by pressing buttons with prerecorded words on them - is growing in popularity, with pet owners recording nouns, verbs, and emotions. However, animal behavior experts are raising questions about what the dogs are really "saying" and whether the words mean the same thing to a dog as they do to humans. A large study underway at the University of California at San Diego is trying to determine whether the buttons can enable dogs to communicate meaningfully. Results likely won’t be available before year’s end.