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All with the assistive touch function. What is Assistive Touch and how to use it. What is Assistive Touch

On iPhones there is only one physical navigation button - the “ Home”, which is located under the screen in the middle. This key allows you to minimize applications, call virtual assistant Siri and perform a lot of other necessary actions. Control your gadget without the “ button Home"becomes almost unrealistic - but what to do if it fails?

Fortunately, Apple developers have provided the ability to display the “ Home"on the iPhone screen. You will learn how to do this by reading this article.

Display the button " Home"The Assistive Touch function allows you to access the iPhone screen. This function is intended for people with disabilities, however, it is more often used by owners of gadgets with faulty physical keys.

The Assistive Touch function is especially popular among Chinese users - in the Middle Kingdom, almost half of iPhones are controlled “from the screen”. Practical Chinese claim that this method of control is not only more convenient, but also prevents wear and tear on the physical buttons.

How to set up Assistive Touch? All you need to do is follow a few steps:

Step 1. Go to " Settings" and follow the path " Basic» — « Universal access».

Step 2. In chapter " Universal access » find the block « Interaction" It will have a subsection “ Assistive Touch" - go into it.

Step 3. Switch the slider " Assistive Touch» to active position.

A translucent square with a white circle inside will appear on the screen - the menu launch button.

This means that the function " Assistive Touch"is activated and you can control the gadget without using physical keys.

“Assistive Touch” can be enabled on any Apple device with iOS version above 5.0.

How to use Assistive Touch?

First of all, you need to place the function menu launch button in a convenient place. You can move it along the screen frames by holding it with your finger. Placing the key in the center of the screen will not work.

Once you have decided on the location of the button, click on it. You will see a menu like this:

At the bottom of the menu there is a displayed virtual button « Home» . The functionality of the virtual button is 100% identical to the functionality of the physical one - in particular, by long pressing it you can launch Siri.

In the main menu " Assistive Touch» there are other options:

  • Notification Center– allows you to call up the notification screen. The traditional way to bring up this screen is to swipe from top to bottom.
  • Voice control- another way to “wake up” Siri.
  • Command centre– makes it possible to display a menu for quick control some of the iPhone's features. Pressing this key actually replaces the bottom-up swipe.
  • Favorites. Through " Favorites» You can activate gestures that the user has created independently. To start creating a new gesture, go to " Favorites" and click on any of the squares with the sign " + " inside.

Also in the main menu " Assistive Touch"there is a button" Apparatus" By clicking on it, you will be taken to a submenu where you will find softkeys, allowing you to perform actions such as lock/rotate the screen and change the device volume.

Through " Assistive Touch"You can even take a photo iPhone screen– to do this, go to the function menu along the path “ Apparatus» — « More" and click on the button " Snapshot screen" Only static images should be photographed this way, because the screen element responds with a significant delay.

On devices with iOS 9, the main menu “Assistive Touch” can be customized. In particular, users can increase the number of icons in the main menu to 8 pieces.

How to remove the Home button from the iPhone screen?

Deactivating the function " Assistive Touch" is performed in the same way as activation. You just need to follow the path on your iPhone " Settings» — « Basic» — « Universal access» — « Assistive Touch" and switch the toggle switch of the same name to the inactive position.

The square with a white circle inside will disappear from the screen.

How do I set up quick access to Assistive Touch?

You can adjust your iPhone so that to start " Assistive Touch“I didn’t have to go through the settings every time. Here's how it's done:

Step 1. Go to the section " Universal access» in the main settings of the gadget and scroll the screen to the very end. At the bottom you will see a subsection “ Keyboard shortcut».

Proceed into it.

Step 2. In the subsection " Keyboard shortcut"Tick the box next to " AssistiveTouch».

After this, you will be able to call the menu launch button " Assistive Touch» triple click on physical key « Home” and hide it in the same way.

Conclusion

At least the virtual button " Assistive Touch"and can completely replace physical button « Home“, this does not mean that you can delay repairing the device. If the gadget is under warranty, the user should go to service center immediately - otherwise he risks saying goodbye to hope for free elimination lack.

IN latest models smartphones Apple a pressure-sensitive display is installed that literally displays interactions with touch screen to another dimension. In addition to touching, swiping, or gestures that involve 2 or more fingers (so-called multi-touch), iPhone 6s can also respond to pressure. Thus, along with detecting finger movement in two dimensions (along the X and Y axes), the device can detect screen movement along the Z axis. The technology is called a new generation of multi-touch. So what is 3D Touch? How it works? Why is it so important? And is there 3D Touch in the iPhone SE?

Why is this necessary?

3D Touch provides additional features input control. It's similar to having a 2-button mouse: pressing lightly on the screen is equivalent to left-clicking, and applying pressure is equivalent to right-clicking.

One thing to keep in mind is that 3D Touch on the iPhone is not the Force Touch technology found on trackpads and MacBooks. The latter only registers a touch, while the former detects 2 levels of pressure: soft and hard. On the home screen phone light clicking on the application icon launches context menu « Quick Actions» - shortcuts for frequently used functions such as taking a selfie or writing text message. Pressing harder on one of the options performs this action.

Gently pressing also allows you to view content Email or website, and a harder one will open the selected message or page. Only a few apps support so far this technology, but as with multi-touch, it is likely that it will find more use in games.

3D Touch on iPhone: what is it and how does it work?

The smartphone senses pressure using microscopic sensors built into several layers of the screen. Apple itself says about 3D Touch that it is “a technology that starts with a display that recognizes applied pressure.” More precisely, pressure creates forces that are detected by sensors called strain gauges.

Materials that, when bent, change an electrical signal are used as sensors. And deformation is caused by pressing on the screen. Even ordinary glass bends, but the iPhone 6s uses more flexible Corning glass, specially manufactured by the manufacturer.

Majority touch devices detect the touch of fingers on the display using "capacitance": electrical signals passing through circuits change when they come into contact with a capacitor, i.e. an object carrying electric charge, such as human body. When a finger touches a conductive surface such as glass, it completes a circuit with capacitive sensors beneath the panel's surface, resulting in a detectable change in the electrical signal.

Capacitive sensors

Touch sensors are often made from indium tin oxide (ITO), an optically transparent material that conducts electricity. You can think of them as wires in a circuit because that's how they behave, even though the sensors themselves are actually a grid of dots on a screen.

Capacitive sensors integrated into the backlight iPhone display, and with each press they measure microscopic changes in the distance between the glass cover and an 8 x 12 array of pressure sensors. The technology may seem simple enough, but it's not: there's no tiny ruler to measure the distance between two 2D surfaces. Determining how much glass is curved requires complex algorithms.

Apple's solution

The patents partially reveal what 3D Touch is. These are designed in one of several serpentine patterns that correspond to the orientation of the forces detected by the main strain gauges. According to another patent, the technology includes 2 layers of sensors. The first serves to determine the force, and the second to compensate for temperature, since heat can cause materials to expand and potential emergence false signals. At the corners of the grid, sensors are rotated 45° to detect deformation along the corner, and internal sensors are oriented parallel to the edges of the display.

Changes in the electrical signal caused by physical forces on each strain gauge determine the so-called. center of force, and then compare the values ​​with the readings of neighboring sensors, thereby establishing the position and level of pressure. As the patents say, the screen “relates the measured difference to electronic device" For example, if the iPhone receives more information left than right, then obviously one side of the display is being pressed. When you touch the center of the screen, the signals will be symmetrical. This way you can get a fairly accurate picture of where and how much force is being applied.

Technology used in models Apple smartphones since the 6s, so for those wondering if there is 3D Touch on the iPhone SE, the answer is no. The price of the device, its small size and the complexity of mass production also played a significant role in this.

How to enable 3D Touch on iPhone 6? By default this functionality already activated. But it can be disabled and enabled again at the user's request. For this purpose in general settings you should select the “Accessibility” item, then 3D Touch - and switch the state to the required one.

Why is it important?

Many people are still confused about what 3D Touch is, confusing it with long press, a gesture that already exists on most touch devices. For example, touch and hold is used to select text or move/delete apps from the home screen. In principle, weak and strong pressure can be simulated using the long-hold method, but it will not be as effective.

Why is 3D Touch more than just a gimmick?

By its nature, long-term retention takes some time. It takes about 0.5 seconds for it to work, while pressing provides an instant response to the user's actions. That's the point big advantage iPhone 3D Touch, this technology significantly saves time and improves smartphone performance.

Vibration is used to create the sensation of touch. Apple has already used a haptics in a MacBook trackpad that doesn't actually slide down, but instead vibrates to simulate a button press. This is achieved using a tiny motorized drive called a Taptic Engine.

Feedback

Taptic Engine iPhone smartphone The 6s provides near real-time haptic feedback. Apple says the vibrating system typical phone it takes at least 10 oscillations to reach full power, but the Taptic Engine only requires 1 cycle to start and stop, which lasts 10 or 15 ms for mini or full feedback. This provides a clear tactile feel for soft and hard pressure.

Experts are impressed by the sensations from the reverse iPhone communications. Sensors detect the force and then the Taptic Engine provides the correct response. This combination creates a very convincing click with no moving parts.

Complex and costly solution

Apple wasn't the first company to create a pressure-sensitive phone, but it has made significant investments in the technology. From a technical point of view Hardware creating a display that can do this is incredibly difficult. This requires time, huge costs and investment in production. Since the idea of ​​3D Touch is not innovative, the success of the iPhone 6s depended on how well its pressure sensitivity was implemented. And Apple succeeded.

By alternating design changes, improving performance, and showcasing new interesting opportunities and technologies that ensure comfortable use of the phone. However, it was difficult and very difficult for engineers, designers and other equally important employees of the Cupertino company to invent every year new design for iPhone. So in line apple smartphones a permanent model appeared with the prefix "S" at the end (and later "C"). These phones were practically no different from their predecessors from last year in appearance, but surpassed them in power and other parameters that are so important for many geeks.

In addition to the above, improved iPhone models had some kind of “trick” - a function or technology that stimulates people to buy. The 4S had it, which performed the role of a voice assistant quite well, although from the very beginning it could only communicate in English, and the iPhone 5S proudly demonstrated an innovative fingerprint scanner Touch ID, allowing you to put reliable protection to your smartphone from extra eyes and hands, but is fingerprint scanning technology so important and what are the negative and positive sides it entails. I will try to thoroughly understand all this in this article.

How it all started or who was the first to use the Touch ID analogue

iPhone 5S on this moment demonstrates great job with recognition of your fingerprints to protect data, however, it is worth mentioning and telling who was the first to use the mentioned technology and experienced everything underwater rocks mobile device market.

The pioneer was the South Korean company Pantech, which back in 2004 introduced new model cell phone, referred to as Gl100. The telephone at that time had enough high quality screen, camera, but unlike other devices, it had a fingerprint scanner, which allows you to hide numbers and other information.


The scanner was located directly at the top of the screen in the middle of the navigation buttons (up, down, left, etc.). For fingerprint recognition to the average user it was necessary to move your finger across the surface of the scanner average speed for an accurate result. According to assurances this operation should have lasted 3-4 seconds, but harsh practice has shown that unlocking the phone with your finger took a considerable 14-15 seconds, so the use of revolutionary technology brought ordinary users much more discomfort than convenience. Also, throwing stones towards Pantech Gl100, I will mention that all hidden information it was also possible to copy on the phone by synchronizing with a computer. This was one of the first attempts to introduce fingerprint recognition technology into mobile device.

Later, other equally well-known companies introduced an analogue of Touch ID into their devices, but in the end they came across multiple technical problems and malfunctions. It seemed that over time the idea had completely outlived its usefulness and the market no longer needed devices with a fingerprint scanner, but Apple suddenly changed the situation.

The emergence of Touch ID

Rumors about the introduction of Touch ID appeared on the Internet long before the release itself. I tried hard not to believe it. Pantech's attempt is firmly entrenched in my memory, but despite all my skepticism, the guys from Cupertino still presented the iPhone 5S, which had much powerful processor, an improved camera, a coprocessor, and most importantly, an excellent fingerprint scanner. Right at the presentation they showed us how easy and convenient it is to use new Touch ID, how it will make it easier for us to use our smartphone and how we used to live without it, but put all this rotten sarcasm aside and let’s talk about the facts.

At the time of release in iPhone base 5S users could add several fingerprints to the phone at once to resolve family issues. It is unlikely that anyone will be pleased when their child comes up every minute asking them to unlock their phone; there are many similar situations. Functionally, the scanner allowed you to unlock your smartphone using your finger, as well as link your fingerprint to , which made it possible not to enter a password for account every time you purchase an application or other media content from the AppStore.


In addition to all of the above, the iPhone will be guaranteed to be protected in the event of its possible theft or loss - all your data will be protected. On that note, the list Touch capabilities ID ends. By comparison, Siri had a lot more functionality when the 4S was released. Yes, they did not understand and still do not understand the great and mighty Russian, however voice assistant could launch an application, find a restaurant nearby, talk about the upcoming weather and more, and the basics of Siri are already used in cars under iOS control Car, but back to the main thing...

Touch ID and surveillance paranoia

Quite often there were rumors and theories on the Internet that Apple was deliberately covert surveillance for users via mobile gadgets and not only many of these guesses were completely confirmed. News about coordinate tracking comes to mind iPhone locations and sudden inclusions iSight cameras on Mac computers.

The iPhone 5S suffered the same fate, and literally after a while bloggers began to claim that the Apple company scans users’ fingerprints and transfers them to intelligence agencies. Without hesitation, Tim Cook replied that all fingerprint data is stored inside the Touch ID itself and cannot be copied - this is a completely obvious answer. After all, for the CEO of a multibillion-dollar company, it is important to appease his clients and instill in them a sense of security. It is unlikely that any of you will be able to imagine how Tim Cook at the next presentation or interview says: " Yes, we are carefully monitoring you and all your fingerprints have already been sent to the intelligence services to be entered into a special database. Good luck everyone and buy ours new iPhone 5S".

I’m leaning towards the option of possible surveillance by Apple. After all, very recent events in the world hint at precisely such methods of fighting terrorism for our own protection. It is worth remembering how, just last year, the FBI carefully pursued a group of people involved in the terrorist attack in Boston, with the help of the almighty Facebook.


It’s time to put everything in its place - yes, we are being watched, yes, many of us don’t care, however, looking at this whole situation, you are imbued with a certain irony. Where is that notorious iPhone protection, when the intelligence services are stealing our data right in front of our noses, and whether the introduction of a fingerprint scanner was a deliberate move on the part of the same law enforcement services, however, this is already too loud a theory and should be put aside.

Touch ID and security

If we talk about security, Touch ID shows amazing results. Constantly scanning your fingerprint with different sides, over time, a more accurate picture is created, allowing you to recognize your finger even better. Moreover, the probability that someone in the world separate plot fingerprint can match yours in about 1 in 50,000, when the chance of guessing the password is 1 in 10,000.

It is practically impossible to hack Touch ID, copy too. The fact is that your fingerprint is stored as an encrypted mathematical formula. In addition to encryption, to access the fingerprint, you also need a special unique key; only the native processor of the device knows it (Secure Enclave technology). In other words, if you change the processor or sensor, they will not see each other, since they will not be located within the same iPhone.

Let's summarize. The iPhone 5S turned out to be really powerful, beautiful and interesting in terms of technology, but the introduced Touch ID turned out to be a very controversial innovation and ultimately raised many unanswered questions online - are our fingerprints being stolen, how will the technology revolutionize iOS itself, should we wait for a sensor to analyze the retina, saliva, hair, and so on... In reality, users only got the opportunity to unlock the smartphone and avoid entering a password, which already costs a lot.

If you haven’t found an answer to your question or something didn’t work out for you and there’s no answer in the comments below suitable solution, ask a question through our

A couple of days ago my friend's Power button on the iPhone, and in order to lock the smartphone, I had to press the power button 4-5 times. I'm sure that with similar problem faced many iPhone owners, iPad and iPod touch. My first advice would be this: go to the service center and replace the Power button, and don’t torture yourself and your phone anymore! However, if you don’t want to go to the service or the service is far away, then there is a way out of this situation - a multifunctional virtual button. And now I will tell you what Assistive Touch is and how to use it!

So, we have already seen one of the problems of your iPhone or iPad: the Power button does not work or it works on the second or even the 3rd attempt, depending on which side you press. But this is not the only mechanical button on your iPhone, as you might have guessed :) The Home button allows you to return to home screen or unlock your iPhone and bring up the multitasking menu. There are also volume buttons, as well as a switch silent mode. And all these buttons can be easily replaced with a virtual button!

What is Assistive Touch?

Assistive Touch is a virtual button that you can hold on the screen of your iPhone or iPad and, if necessary, press it to call multifunction menu and through it perform various actions! By the way, to Assistive Touch can be used even when the top or bottom tap of the screen does not work, but more on that later.

This function was originally created for users with disabilities to make it easier for them to use iPhone use or iPad. If among my readers there are those for whom this button makes their life easier precisely because of limited capabilities, write to me in a personal message or by email and I will try to describe even more about special features iPhone!

To enable this function, you need to go to the menu in your gadget Settings — Basic — Universal access and in the subsection Interaction turn on AssistiveTouch. Immediately after this, a gray square with a white circle in the center will appear on your screen:

How to use Assistive Touch

If you tap on this icon, an interesting menu will appear in which you can see several templates from Apple itself to simplify our lives:

It seems like a beautiful menu, but what happens if you press different buttons? Now I'll tell you:

  • Notification Center calls up - who would have thought - the notification center! In case the most top part the screen on your iPhone suddenly stopped working;
  • In chapter Apparatus You can press the screen lock button from the screen, change the volume or turn on silent mode;
  • Button Command centre calls up the menu of the same name if the lower edge of the display does not work;
  • Icon Home Simulates pressing the Home button on your iPhone to exit to the home screen;
  • If you click on Voice control, then the voice assistant will turn on on your gadget, which is logical;
  • In chapter User There are already a couple of blanks for those who find it difficult to press the screen with 2 fingers at once or perform double tap across the screen.

I’m sure that even without my help everyone will figure out how to take a screenshot or enable multitasking through the menu of this assistant :)

As you can see, everything is quite simple and with the help of Assistive Touch you can easily replace the shortcomings of your smartphone. Of course this function will be useful for people with disabilities, because it is for them, first of all, that the iPhone and iPad have this assistant.

Assistive Touch Tricks

Those who have already enabled Assistive Touch on their gadget may be interested in a few tricks to make using their iPhone even easier. To begin with, you need to be in the Assistive Touch settings menu (what is in Settings - General - Universal Access), and just below the switch itself there is an item Menu top level . Oh yes, this is where you can enable and or replace icons in the main menu of the virtual assistant:

If you click on one of the items in the frame, you can choose what exactly will be in this place, and if the number of buttons needs to be changed, then the icon counter at the bottom of the screen will help with this. For example, if the Power button simply doesn’t work for you, like on my friend’s phone, then you can leave only it and then pressing the Assistive Touch button will immediately turn off the screen of your iPhone! Or you can leave only 2 buttons - Screen Lock and Screenshot, since they use the Power button!

The second trick is that the Assistive Touch icon itself can be called up on the iPhone screen without running through all the Settings menus, but simply by triple clicking on Home button! To do this you need to go to Settings — Basic — Universal access and at the very bottom in the section Keyboard shortcut choose AssistiveTouch! After that a quick triple press pressing the Home button will bring up the treasured gray square with a white circle in the middle on the screen :)

I am sure that many of my readers will appreciate such a convenient and useful function Assistive Touch and will be able to make your life easier if one of the buttons on your iPhone or iPad suddenly stops working! In case you have difficulties with iPhone operation due to physiological limitations, you can use not only this assistant, but also others special functions smartphone. Join my groups on