I think you're misunderstanding. 1. You already can, by using headphone controls. 2. Sure (if you don't feel it out), but how does a buttoned phone eliminate

I think you're misunderstanding. 1. You already can, by using headphone controls. 2. Sure (if you don't feel it out), but how does a buttoned phone eliminate this problem? The issue is not mutually exclusive to touch-screen phones, and I'd argue it's worse on buttoned phones, since you risk the water seeping in between the button cracks.