I'd like to know how iPhone X users control (play pause) apps directly from their lockscreens. That no longer works right? Isn't that a major disadvantage?
You have access to control center from anywhere in the OS. There's a "Now Playing" piece that comes up with a single swipe from the bottom of the screen. If you're not looking at the screen, Now Playing still displays on the lock screen.
You have to swipe to log-in. The system authenticates you automatically, but doesn't show the home screen unless you swipe.