iPhones already have a "mute" slider switch. When I first looked into iPhones (after years of Androids), my instant reaction upon seeing the slider switch was "Ah! FINALLY! I can feel at peace in the knowledge that software vulnerabilities are powerless to hack my camera or microphone!"
Of course, stupidly, the slider doesn't "mute" my camera or microphone, but only my speaker. For Apple to modify this slider so that it mutes my camera and microphones would require the daunting addition of two transistors. And the act of such a simple modification would put an end to the incredibly creepy, Orwellian possible reality that we all risk taking a part in every time we glance at the familiar tiny screens we have become so intimately glued to.
Frankly, I’m totaly in favour of hardware interrupt switches for the camera/mic - but I think I understand why it’s not likely to happen. First, to a lot of people it will look like admitting your thing is hackable, which makes it seem vulnerable. Second, now every time I accept a call I have to check this switch - sounds like a switch most people will leave in the on-position 100% of the time and then when it accidentally gets flicked they’ll bring their phone to the Apple store because “it’s broken”.
Also, I don’t want my ringer to have to be on any time I take a call... but that’s just a debate about if it should be one switch or two.
Also the hardware switch doesn’t interrupt the speaker, it just turns the ringer to silent/vibrate mode - you can put someone on speakerphone or play music with it on.
sounds like a switch most people will leave in the on-position 100% of the time and then when it accidentally gets flicked they’ll bring their phone to the Apple store because “it’s broken”.
laptops with hardware wifi and bluetooth switches. Took plenty of support calls about those.
I agree, I don't think it's going to happen with the iPhone.
I realize most people aren't paranoid enough to want this. I am. I only hope that some company starts manufacturing a phone with this feature at some point, so people like me who have read too many Philip K Dick novels can feel at peace.
Also some smartass regularly find out way to disrespect this physical button for some reason in order to play theirs ads at full volume while muted in the most inconvenient settings. Like say taking a dump a the office and all coworkers present hearing an add for monster castle crusher of the hustle dragon birds candy.
TOTALY COUNTER PRODUCTIVE GUYS, FOR GOD SAKE STOP THAT SHIT!
Even crazier and also true: There are people who actually use their phone to make phone calls (Yes, kids, that still happens) while their phone is in silent mode.
I have my phone muted for most of the day, but I still want to be able to take pictures and use siri. It doesn’t even mute the speakers, only notifications. It sounds like you want to replace a switch that many people want to use, with one that few would.
I also have it muted most of the day; usually all day. Which effectively makes it useless as it is. Perhaps this puts me in the biased position of feeling it may be used for another purpose.
