iPhone 15 Pro's Action Button to Support Translate App Later This Year

[MacRumors]

The new iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max are equipped with a customizable Action button that replaces the traditional mute switch on previous iPhones. By default, the button is set to toggle between Ring and Silent modes, but it can also be assigned to a different action for quick access to the camera, flashlight, Voice Memos, and more.

One of the options for the Action button will be the Translate app, allowing you to quickly start translating between two languages without having to open the app. However, fine print on Apple's website says the Translate option will not be available for the Action button until later this year, suggesting that it will be enabled in a future iOS 17 update.

A recap of the other options that will be available for the Action button immediately:

• Ring/Silent
• Focus
• Camera
• Flashlight
• Voice Memos
• Magnifier
• Shortcuts
• Accessibility

You must press and hold the Action button to launch the assigned action.

iPhone 15 models can be pre-ordered starting Friday, September 15 at 5 a.m. Pacific Time, and will launch on Friday, September 22.

Article Link: iPhone 15 Pro's Action Button to Support Translate App Later This Year

 

[phill85]

Would be nice for when I go to Italy in the spring of 2024 😎

 

[shapesinaframe]

needs more options for clicks same as home button eg:

1. single click
2. double click
3. triple click
4. long press

no doubt they'll make it possible, but lock it out by hardware revision over the course of 4 years of iterations.

 

[hch720]

needs more options for clicks same as home button eg:

1. single click
2. double click
3. triple click
4. long press

no doubt they'll make it possible, but lock it out by hardware revision over the course of 4 years of iterations.

Exactly what ive been saying. Power button does all these and more. Maybe we'll see it in iOS 18.

 

[dannyyankou]

This would be great for traveling

 

[Apple_Robert]

Why can’t I have an Action button response for MR, so that I have more timely amd pithy retorts? 😎

As to translation, this should get a lot of use. I probably won’t have any need but, good on Apple.

 

[reyesmac]

I winder if it would be possible to make an app that pops up when the action button is used that allows you to run actions or launch apps or whatever, just a more configurable dock of sorts.

 

[TracesOfArsenic]

Nice. They're already delaying features that were announced less than 48 hours ago!

 

[tweaknmod]

Call me old fashioned, or just old, but I really dislike when companies announce software features before they’re ready, while still positioning them to be part of the OS launch.

This isn’t part of iOS 17 - it might be part of a future update, which is not the same thing.

Now get off my lawn.

 

[kerr]

With the power button, I can single click to turn the screen off, double click to open the Wallet app or triple click to select one of three Accessibility shortcuts. The action button should be able to do the same and it's disappointing that it can only do one thing.

 

[syklee26]

This will be awesome when I talk to Scottish friends!

 

[elimporta2]

I'm glad they added this button because I want to put at least 5 years on my 13 Pro Max. The old switch is one of the best feature on iPhones since the beginning.

 

[lazyrighteye]

I’m liking the sound of this.

 

[silentdevotion]

Exactly what ive been saying. Power button does all these and more. Maybe we'll see it in iOS 18.

The action button could mimic or replace back tap. Having 3 or 4 actions would be a lot more helpful.

 

[Kierkegaarden]

This would be very useful. I can already tell I’ll be using the action button more than the mute switch — looking forward to it!

 

[lazyrighteye]

The action button could mimic or replace back tap. Having 3 or 4 actions would be a lot more helpful.

I use a double-tap on the back of my 14 Pro for taking screen shots. I use a triple-tap on my power button to lulll all blue out of the screen, leaving an all-red screen which can handy in dark scenario is where eve the dimmest screen is still too harsh. One would think they’ll be enabling two- and three-tap functionality down the road.

 

[poorcody]

I winder if it would be possible to make an app that pops up when the action button is used that allows you to run actions or launch apps or whatever, just a more configurable dock of sorts.

You can definitely do that -- in fact I do it on my Apple Watch. Just have the Action Button open the Shortcuts App (you can even make a Shortcut to open the Shortcuts App if needed). In that app, you can create Shortcuts that do anything you want (e.g. start the Camera in Movie mode), and arrange them in any order you want on the "home" screen when Shortcuts opens. So everything is a click of the Action button and one tap away. That's my plan for it.

 

[kkee]

To be fair, translate function to action button wasn't announced to be available now but I wouldn't miss it anyway (not going to Japan or non English speaking countries anytime soon).

What I would do with that button will be set it to camera straight away. There is no other option. I need to capture my Tik Tok memes without delay or scrambling with touch screen.

 

[fwmireault]

I would love at some point a new AirPods feature that allows live translation of someone speaking to you. Not holding my breath as there is a considerable amount of R&D to get there, but it would really be useful

 

[Böhme417]

It would be nice if Google translate were an option instead of Apple's version. Apple's translate app is garbage by comparison.

 

[EightyEight]

needs more options for clicks same as home button eg:

1. single click
2. double click
3. triple click
4. long press

no doubt they'll make it possible, but lock it out by hardware revision over the course of 4 years of iterations.

That's the Home Button of years gone by. Can't innovate my a$$!

 

[Brad7]

Maybe one day we really will get the universal translator from Star Trek.

 

[Konigi]

It's a nice feature. I was wondering, however, if Ring/Silent mode toggl can appear in the Control Center, as a substitute. It's still an important toggl to access in one way or another.

As for the multiple click options, I hope it will come in the feature as a software update! Makes much sense.

 

[LightProtector]

Call me old fashioned, or just old, but I really dislike when companies announce software features before they’re ready, while still positioning them to be part of the OS launch.

This isn’t part of iOS 17 - it might be part of a future update, which is not the same thing.

Now get off my lawn.

It is though. Just not part of 17.0.0

 

[Mveight]

I think Apple was forced to implement the Action Button in order to justify and make first-party use of the Dynamic Island, last year's marquee iPhone Pro "feature" that saw relatively poor adoption by developers.