The iPhone <https://www.theguardian.com/technology/iphone> 7's new
solid-state home "button" does not work without skin contact, rendering the
phone unaccessible when placed inside a sports armband, a waterproof case or
when the user is wearing touchscreen gloves.
The new home button, which is pressure sensitive and does not move, is an
essential part of the the new iPhone. A change made for iOS 10 means that
you cannot move past the lockscreen without activating the home button, even
if you are attempting to enter a pin code to unlock the device.
The Guardian tested capacitive gloves and a see-through case that covers
screen. It was not possible to activate the iPhone 7
<https://www.theguardian.com/technology/iphone-7> or 7 Plus's Home button
using either, but it was possible to fully manipulate the touchscreen.
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Workarounds include using the nose, chin, elbow, knee or any other piece of
skin to activate the home button to bring up the prompt for a passcode.
Users attempting to activate the iPhone 7 within a see-through bag or sports
armband will have to remove the smartphone to do so.
The home button also functions as an integral part of the mechanics of iOS
returning users to the homescreen. Without use of the home button, users can
use the 3D touch press and drag from the left-hand side of the phone to
access the recently used apps and select the homescreen, which works
perfectly fine with touchscreen gloves, but is difficult to perform within a
see through case that covers the screen.
Some users have reported
<https://twitter.com/carlhancock/status/776937439306846209> that some
touchscreen-capable gloves were able to activate the home button, but the
majority appear not to work.
