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One of the biggest smartphone launches of 2014 will certainly be iPhone 6. Riding high on the success of iPhone 5S, Cupertino-based Apple says it is already looking ahead with the grand launch of the the next iPhone, dubbed iPhone 6, new iPhone or iPhone 2014.
And with the recent release of iPhone 5S complete, speculations have already started. Many industry watchers and dreamers are already suggesting what new features the iPhone 6 should have. The most recent batch of reports suggests that the phone may be equipped with a full-screen touch I.D. display and trackpad.
Though there is not official word from the company regarding the new iPhone, rumour mill is churning in full capacity regarding the new gadget.
According to information coming out of China's Weibo platform, several Foxconn insiders have revealed that production of the new iPhone 6 will be split between two models, one with a 4.7" screen, and a 5.7-incher. That means Apple will try to crack the “phablet” market by even crossing the 5.7-inch mark.
Th iPhone 6 is also rumored to have a wrap-around touch screen with longer battery life and an improved camera. While many of the rumors are focused on advances and changes to iPhone screen technology and size, there is no shortage of prediction about what will be included in the next generation iPhone.
Rumours also suggest that all variants of the new device will have at least one form of biometrics, which could include fingerprint or eye recognition.
As with previous models before their release, much of the speculation being floated around on the Internet regarding Apple’s ninth device seem to be based purely on wishful thinking. Here is a breakdown of possible improvements for the next generation of iPhone.
It is also believed that the iPhone 6 will be made with Liquidmetal, as Apple has exclusive rights to the material. In November, five new Apple patents relating to Liquidmetal were published. Liquidmetal is extremely strong and durable, and therefore can be used in smaller quantities to get the same level of build quality as aluminium. That means the new iPhone will be lighter and even more thinner.
Apple is also rumoured to have spent $578 million to fasten the development process of sapphire glass displays destined for the iPhone 6. Sapphire glass, currently used for the iPhone 5s's Touch ID Home button and the cover of the iPhone's rear-facing camera, is twice as durable than Corning's Gorilla Glass, and is "virtually scratch free" according to glass makers GT Advanced Technology. Sapphire glass will make it possible for Apple to create a bigger iPhone.
Although there are rumours that suggest that the Home button on the new iPhone 6 will be removed. But it is unlikely given that the company has recently introduced the Touch ID fingerprint scanner feature to the Home button in the iPhone 5s. Rather there may be a possibility that the new iPhone 6 will expand the use of Touch ID to banking applications and other apps that require passcodes.
Since the iPhones are refreshed roughly once a year, the new iPhone is likely to hit the market later this year. But some analysts suggest that Apple may decide to launch a new iPhone earlier in the year, perhaps at the company's annual WWDC event in June. This is certainly a possibility.
- Pressure Sensitive Screens: Future Apple devices and applications would react differently to heavy or light touches, allowing greater flexibility and reactivity when using a device. However, this technology, which is currently listed by Apple as under development, is not likely to be ready for the iPhone 6 release.
- Scratch Resistant Screens: According to the latest reports, Apple has been developing a high-end screen for the iPhone 6 that won’t scratch. While more expensive than current screens, the new sapphire glass coating is reported to be significantly more durable than the Corning Gorilla Glass already in use by other manufacturers screens.
- Curved Screens: Following in the footsteps of Samsung and LG releases earlier this year, the iPhone 6 might support a curved screen. Curved screens are said to be more durable, more comfortable to use, and better suited to watching videos and playing games. They also help to reduce screen glare in bright conditions. However some industry experts dispute the benefits, calling curved screen technology unnecessary and just “a fad”.
- Larger Retinal Displays: Another long-predicted Apple feature, rumors circulate with each new release regarding screen size. Some technology insiders claim that Apple needs to make the jump to a larger device to remain competitive. Possible improvements include the use of either a 4.7 or a whopping 5.5 inch display. Both are significantly larger than current models.
- NFC: The inclusion of Near Field Communication would allow short-range, wireless data transfers. NFC would also allow wireless payments, leveling the playing field by allowing devices perform money transfers at point-of-sale at retailers and restaurants, or between friendly devices. Several models of Android and Windows Phone devices already support NFC systems and allow payments, but Apple has yet to make the leap.
- Light Field Camera: A recent Apple patent has industry experts wondering if the next generation iPhone 6 might carry a revolutionary camera. Light Field Camera technology works by capturing a multi-layered ‘field’ of an image, rather than a single 2D shot. The result is that a photo is no longer a fixed point, but one where you can select a part of the picture to completely manipulate and refocus the image, even after the shots have been taken.
- Studio flash: Apple is currently working on a way of letting devices control flashes in order to light a scene from multiple angles using different strength pulses of light. This feature has been rumored on several phones and tablets, yet no hint has surfaced about when this system might make it into a production device.
- Holographic Keyboard: Long the ‘holy grail’ of smartphone keyboard options, this is one rumor that refuses to die. Only time will tell, as prototype device videos continue to appear at industry conventions and on YouTube. While the technology exists to create a keyboard on any flat surface through the use of projectors and sensors, this feature still appears to be a pipe dream.
- Voice Recognition: Siri is also rumored to receive some improvements as Apple uses its patented PrimeSense technology to improve Siri’s ability to recognize subtle differences in user’s voices. Siri’s intelligence will also improve, with more accurate answers to user questions.
- Facial Recognition: Another ‘new-to-Apple’ technology, facial detection and recognition software would be added as an additional security layer that could lock out or allow a full or selected access to authorized users of the next generation of devices.
- Trackpad: While the technology was originally introduced by Blackberry for their QWERTY devices, it would be new to Apple and potentially the iPhone 6, improving the ease of scrolling between screens.
- Eye-tracking: When the technology failed to materialize in the iPhone 5 releases, wishful observers shifted their hopes to the iPhone 6. This feature would allow users to scroll through pages without touching the device.
- Memory: With the new iPad 4 featuring a 128GB option, an increase to the storage capacity of the iPhone 6 is likely on the horizon. With device usage continuing to increase, this improvement is almost a guarantee.
- Advanced Processor: Many current Apple devices feature the A6 dual-core processor for blazingly fast speed. The next evolution would be to upgrade iPhone devices to use an A7 quad-core chip for even greater speed and use in multi-function applications and gaming.
- New Operating System: With the roll-out of iOS 7 for current and older iPhone models, it is possible that an additional upgraded iOS 7 or even a newer streamlined iOS 8 might appear to drive the next iPhone. Only time will tell if Apple will stay the course with its latest operating system or upgrade again.
Whatever options the next generation of iPhone carries for its mid-2014 release, it will likely carry a high price tag as well. This increase will likely occur in response to losses due to the improvement of materials for the iPhone 5 that were not matched by higher prices. With all of the speculation regarding new features in the iPhone 6, including the possibility of a significantly larger screen, it can be expected that the added cost to the bill of materials will be passed onto consumers by an increase to the cost of the phone. So whatever the future for the iPhone 6 holds, a higher cost for the device is likely the only thing that is certain.
Posted in: SMARTPHONE TECH
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