New Apple patent turns the iconic Home button into a joystick

This is certainly looking to be an exceptional year for gamers with not only Microsoft choosing to put a particular amount of focus on the market, but Apple as well. The company recently filed a patent for a home button that would be able to protrude slightly from an iPhone or iPad and would act as a gaming joystick for the devices. This patent was filed a while ago, so it’s only a matter of time before we see the technology implemented. 

Many people say that Apple doesn’t innovate anymore, it is not necessarily a theory I subscribe to, but there is no doubt that the company is not as trailblazing as it once was. However, that may be about to change if Cupertino puts a recent patent application into action. The patent filed with USPTO seems to show a way in which the iconic Home button on iPhones and iPads will be able to double as a gaming joystick. In the patent, the Home button will be able to protrude slightly above is normal flat seating and will act as a gaming joystick. That would give the Home button triple functionality, serving as the joystick, regular Home button, and of course the Touch ID fingerprint sensor. I am excited to see if Apple put this into action. The patent was filed in late 2013, so it makes sense that it would be close to fruition now if it was indeed to be used… next iPhone perhaps?