Having used my iPhone for a few weeks, I feel from a usability/durability standpoint, the Home button (and any new buttons) should be a capacitive/non mechanical. Not sure if the fingerprint sensor can be integrated into such a button, but it would be a much better solution if it could. No moving part to wear, one less place for dirt to work its way into the phone, and it would just work better, IMO.
A dedicated search button beside the Home button would also eliminate the need to long-press to bring up Siri and would encourage more usage of Siri as she could be activated quicker. Adding a multitasking button would eliminate the double press and allow faster switching between apps.
I understand that putting 3 buttons on the face might go against some perception of simplicity, but if it works better and speeds things up, why not?
A dedicated search button beside the Home button would also eliminate the need to long-press to bring up Siri and would encourage more usage of Siri as she could be activated quicker. Adding a multitasking button would eliminate the double press and allow faster switching between apps.
I understand that putting 3 buttons on the face might go against some perception of simplicity, but if it works better and speeds things up, why not?