I keep reading and hearing from various sources that mobile phones have gotten to a point that there isn't much innovation left, just small spec bumps like what have been seen in desktop computing for the last few years.
I think this thought process is incorrect and I would like to present some ideas I have had on what type of innovations I think may be developed in the next 5-10 years.
I will break these ideas up into categories.
Camera:
High Speed Video Recording: This will be a really cool feature that people don't currently have but would have some real world utility.
4K & 8K recording. I think this will hit main stream probably ahead or right behind that of recording on actual dedicated video cameras or DLSR's.
Rotatable Cameras - This could allow you to use the same great camera for both taking pictures/Videos and doing FaceTime/Skype calling.
Larger Sensors - Similar or approaching DLSR's size. Would be obviously useful for better low light and less noise.
Lens Attachment - This could be a retractable attachment similar to the loop attachment mechanism on the iPod Touch 5G.
Display:
1 millisecond response time to touch - This would make scrolling, playing games, handwriting, etc significantly more useful and easy to use.
Edge to Edge Screen - I hate bezels. All screen all the way. This would be useful to increase the screen size without increasing the phone size.
Transparent display - The front facing camera could be underneath the touch screen display and could possible still take videos and pictures. Also could be used for finger print reader.
Flexible display - Could be used to have a home button underneath the screen that you could push down in a specific location. Or the entire surface could be flexible and act like a home button.
Processor:
Continuous Client: The phone would have all the processing power needed and the other screens (desktop, laptop, tablet, TV, etc) would just communicate through your phone wirelessly. This would save cost for the customer because you wouldn't need a dedicated processors in those other devices. They would just be screens, batteries and possible keyboards.
Cloud Processing: The phone would only have the most basic processor and minimal RAM. All of the processing would be done in the cloud and your phone would just be like a virtual screen to a supercomputer or a network of computer that would be infinitely faster than what could be done on a mobile device. Also no need to buy a new phone for a spec bump. The processor could be just be improved on Apple's or Google's or whoever company servers. Another possibility would be to use the owners own personal computer for this processing.
Design:
Thinner and lighter (Think credit card size and weight) - Can fit in your wallet. Should be cheaper to manufacture.
Waterproof - This is already possible on some phones. Should be standard in 5-10 years.
Drop-proof (should be easy if it is really light) - No cases needed.
Fold-able or roll-able - Obviously would be helpful to increase size of the screen.
Siri:
Improve Siri capability to something similar to Watson (as seen on Jeopardy). This would have hugely useful.
Add translation features for any language that the phone could speak in your actual voice, tone and pacing.
Connectors:
Magnetic Connectors: No need for physical connectors. Just use magnets to connect plugs, headphones, etc to the back of the phone (now phone can be a thin as you want). Magnets could identify what is connected and then bluetooth or NFC or whatever new technology could be used to transmit data or power the device.
Other:
High Quality Projector - This would be very useful for watching TV or giving a presentation. Also could be use for virtual typing (project keyboard and camera could determine what you are typing).
That's all I can think of right now. I'm sure there are dozens of other innovative ideas others have and that Apple, Google, Microsoft are working on.
I would love to hear other people innovative ideas for mobile phones.
I think this thought process is incorrect and I would like to present some ideas I have had on what type of innovations I think may be developed in the next 5-10 years.
I will break these ideas up into categories.
Camera:
High Speed Video Recording: This will be a really cool feature that people don't currently have but would have some real world utility.
4K & 8K recording. I think this will hit main stream probably ahead or right behind that of recording on actual dedicated video cameras or DLSR's.
Rotatable Cameras - This could allow you to use the same great camera for both taking pictures/Videos and doing FaceTime/Skype calling.
Larger Sensors - Similar or approaching DLSR's size. Would be obviously useful for better low light and less noise.
Lens Attachment - This could be a retractable attachment similar to the loop attachment mechanism on the iPod Touch 5G.
Display:
1 millisecond response time to touch - This would make scrolling, playing games, handwriting, etc significantly more useful and easy to use.
Edge to Edge Screen - I hate bezels. All screen all the way. This would be useful to increase the screen size without increasing the phone size.
Transparent display - The front facing camera could be underneath the touch screen display and could possible still take videos and pictures. Also could be used for finger print reader.
Flexible display - Could be used to have a home button underneath the screen that you could push down in a specific location. Or the entire surface could be flexible and act like a home button.
Processor:
Continuous Client: The phone would have all the processing power needed and the other screens (desktop, laptop, tablet, TV, etc) would just communicate through your phone wirelessly. This would save cost for the customer because you wouldn't need a dedicated processors in those other devices. They would just be screens, batteries and possible keyboards.
Cloud Processing: The phone would only have the most basic processor and minimal RAM. All of the processing would be done in the cloud and your phone would just be like a virtual screen to a supercomputer or a network of computer that would be infinitely faster than what could be done on a mobile device. Also no need to buy a new phone for a spec bump. The processor could be just be improved on Apple's or Google's or whoever company servers. Another possibility would be to use the owners own personal computer for this processing.
Design:
Thinner and lighter (Think credit card size and weight) - Can fit in your wallet. Should be cheaper to manufacture.
Waterproof - This is already possible on some phones. Should be standard in 5-10 years.
Drop-proof (should be easy if it is really light) - No cases needed.
Fold-able or roll-able - Obviously would be helpful to increase size of the screen.
Siri:
Improve Siri capability to something similar to Watson (as seen on Jeopardy). This would have hugely useful.
Add translation features for any language that the phone could speak in your actual voice, tone and pacing.
Connectors:
Magnetic Connectors: No need for physical connectors. Just use magnets to connect plugs, headphones, etc to the back of the phone (now phone can be a thin as you want). Magnets could identify what is connected and then bluetooth or NFC or whatever new technology could be used to transmit data or power the device.
Other:
High Quality Projector - This would be very useful for watching TV or giving a presentation. Also could be use for virtual typing (project keyboard and camera could determine what you are typing).
That's all I can think of right now. I'm sure there are dozens of other innovative ideas others have and that Apple, Google, Microsoft are working on.
I would love to hear other people innovative ideas for mobile phones.