Rumor: Apple removing Home Button on the next iPad and iPhone?

Boy Genius is reporting that, according to a source, iPad 2 won't have a physical home button and will rely completely on the multitouch gestures introduced in the iOS 4.3 beta. They were also told this change may be extended to the iPhone 5 later this year.

We have exclusively been told that the reason Apple just added multitouch gestures for the iPad in the latest iOS 4.3 beta is because the iPad will be losing the home button [...] Our source said Apple employees are already testing iPads and iPhones with no home buttons on the Apple campus, and it’s possible we will see this new change materialize with the next-generation iPad and iPhone devices set to launch this year.

In addition, they state that Photo Booth (more evidence of a front-facing iPad camera) and iLife apps will be available on the iPad around the same time the iPad 2 hits the market.

Removing the Home Button is a pretty far-fetched idea. As John Gruber points out, gestures can supplement the Home Button like keyboard shortcuts supplement GUI buttons for expert users, but removing the Home Button would completely confuse a new user.

What do you think, should the Home Button go away?

[BGR]