2) this is configurable, i.e. you can choose what apps should use modal alert, banners on top or nothing. 3) you can try 'four-fingers' gestures as a replaceme

2) this is configurable, i.e. you can choose what apps should use modal alert, banners on top or nothing. 3) you can try 'four-fingers' gestures as a replacement. They are useless on an iPhone, bu on iPad they make Home button obsolete.