Minolta Maxxum 7000 Camera, another question

I haave a question about a Minolta Maxxum 7000 Camera that I recently acquired. I had another thread about finding a battery, but I got a lithium battery I found on Amazon, and it works just fine, even without having to replace the “secret” battery under that plate.

I ran a roll of film through after reading the .pdf owners manual I found online, and am learning all about what is a great camera.

The manual, and many of the pictures I see, talk about a shutter release “button” which works much like a digital camera, by pressing down half way for focus, etc.

Several pictures do show a round shutter release button. This camera, however, has two small, silver metal rectangular buttons, one in front of the other.

I THINK.the back one is to use with the AF setting, as It did work to focus and set exposure when I held it half way down, then took the pic when i pressed it all the way.

I assume, therefore, that the front button is to use on the Manual mode, just mashing it down.

Correct? If not, any idea why the two buttons?