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The reason for the next iPhones new back.

T

Trhodezy

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Dec 29, 2010
311
142
First and foremost, we've all nearly taken the metal back on the next iPhone (assuming this isn't a controlled leak) to be NFC based, you know.. for that not-so-useful passbook app and possible "iWallet" but one thing that (and I'm surprised) hasn't come up - wireless charging or wi-tricity.

I'd stake my left leg (lost the right leg in the "(not-so) Redesigned Apple TV unveiling" fiasco back a few months..) that if there is a "innovative, Killer feature" it'll be wireless charging.

No?

Rumours have been bouncing back and forth that there is a (possible Apple branded) case/cover being designed & produced for the new iPhone. Chances are it'll be related to this in some form.

Of course, this is speculation and I could be wrong.. but I like to dream Harold.

Other possible "feature" for the new back: Touch gestures.

BUT Apple could surprise us and it could just become a $500 part-time fridge magnet.
 
Trhodezy said:
First and foremost, we've all nearly taken the metal back on the next iPhone (assuming this isn't a controlled leak) to be NFC based, you know.. for that not-so-useful passbook app and possible "iWallet" but one thing that (and I'm surprised) hasn't come up - wireless charging or wi-tricity.

I'd stake my left leg (lost the right leg in the "(not-so) Redesigned Apple TV unveiling" fiasco back a few months..) that if there is a "innovative, Killer feature" it'll be wireless charging.

No?

Rumours have been bouncing back and forth that there is a (possible Apple branded) case/cover being designed & produced for the new iPhone. Chances are it'll be related to this in some form.

Of course, this is speculation and I could be wrong.. but I like to dream Harold.

Other possible "feature" for the new back: Touch gestures.

BUT Apple could surprise us and it could just become a $500 part-time fridge magnet.
Click to expand...

I was thinking about it being for gestures, like the Playstation Vita's back touch pad. But I don't know. I thought it looked ridiculous at first but now I think it is a pretty cool design feature.
 
boy-better-know said:
I was thinking about it being for gestures, like the Playstation Vita's back touch pad. But I don't know. I thought it looked ridiculous at first but now I think it is a pretty cool design feature.
Click to expand...

I'd have to agree there, but It's grown on me..
 
Trhodezy said:
First and foremost, we've all nearly taken the metal back on the next iPhone (assuming this isn't a controlled leak) to be NFC based, you know.. for that not-so-useful passbook app and possible "iWallet" but one thing that (and I'm surprised) hasn't come up - wireless charging or wi-tricity.

I'd stake my left leg (lost the right leg in the "(not-so) Redesigned Apple TV unveiling" fiasco back a few months..) that if there is a "innovative, Killer feature" it'll be wireless charging.

No?

Rumours have been bouncing back and forth that there is a (possible Apple branded) case/cover being designed & produced for the new iPhone. Chances are it'll be related to this in some form.

Of course, this is speculation and I could be wrong.. but I like to dream Harold.

Other possible "feature" for the new back: Touch gestures.

BUT Apple could surprise us and it could just become a $500 part-time fridge magnet.
Click to expand...


Nah. It really is as simple as making a better, stronger phone. Metal is stronger than glass. They have to keep the glass on top and bottom to avoid attenuation of the signal.
 
Want300 said:
I would feel better about the two tone back plate if they used wireless charging... like the HP TouchPad had... or the power mats you can buy.
Click to expand...

Agree, give some reason to the not-so-nice backing design.

----------
applefanDrew said:
Nah. It really is as simple as making a better, stronger phone. Metal is stronger than glass. They have to keep the glass on top and bottom to avoid attenuation of the signal.
Click to expand...

I don't think its as simple as that.. ;)
 
I don't understand why it would have to look like that to be NFC. NFC is currently available in a lot of devices without such a drastic design.
 
There have been some rumors that Apple are working on 2 new cases - one standard and one that will be unique and will be a big difference to other cases. I wondered if this will be contactless charging when I read it too.
 
inductive charging will never make sense to me.

Traditional charging with a cable allows me to use the device/hold the device while it charges.

Inductive charging saves me the 1 second it takes to plug in the phone, but it severely limits the use of the phone while charging.

As long as I have the option to still use a cable I'm ok with it, because I know a lot of people are looking forward to inductive charging. The idea just falls short with me.

Wireless charging on the other hand...
 
b166er said:
inductive charging will never make sense to me.

Traditional charging with a cable allows me to use the device/hold the device while it charges.

Inductive charging saves me the 1 second it takes to plug in the phone, but it severely limits the use of the phone while charging.

As long as I have the option to still use a cable I'm ok with it, because I know a lot of people are looking forward to inductive charging. The idea just falls short with me.

Wireless charging on the other hand...
Click to expand...

Google Wi-tricity. See if you would prefer that.
 
That metal back is just a design choice. Either for looks, strength, or both. To me, wireless charging is one of the biggest gimmicks out there. I don't care in the slightest if I have to plug a cable into the bottom of a device, or place the thing on a charging mat. The point is that, while charging, I can't take my phone and leave the house. And besides that, wireless charging takes some fancy hardware, which is not in line with Apple's ongoing aspirations to make stuff thinner.
 
b166er said:
inductive charging will never make sense to me.

Traditional charging with a cable allows me to use the device/hold the device while it charges.

Inductive charging saves me the 1 second it takes to plug in the phone, but it severely limits the use of the phone while charging.

As long as I have the option to still use a cable I'm ok with it, because I know a lot of people are looking forward to inductive charging. The idea just falls short with me.

Wireless charging on the other hand...
Click to expand...

You are right, especially for a phone. It was a decently cool concept with the HP TouchPad because the inductive charging base acted as a stand for the tablet. Which could work for watching video. but it still isnt practical.
 
Want300 said:
I would feel better about the two tone back plate if they used wireless charging... like the HP TouchPad had... or the power mats you can buy.
Click to expand...

If it was like the Hp Touchpads wireless charging Heat+Metal does not mix well.
 
Trhodezy said:
Google Wi-tricity. See if you would prefer that.
Click to expand...

Yes, I am aware of it. I know it is still probably a few years off but I await it eagerly. That patent Apple made a while back sketched out an iMac that had a built in base station. The keyboard and mouse charged wirelessly. When you sat down to it, your iPhone did as well, without removing it from your pocket.

I think that is a killer concept, I hope we see it one day. As far as this two-tone back goes I am seriously clueless. I don't think it's NFC. I don't think it's inductive charging. If I had to guess I would say it's just a metal or other material that is more drop resistant than glass.
 
i dont like the look of it. but it's apple so.. perhaps when it comes out, the actual iPhone will look a lot better than in the photographs. and if there's a good reason for it, then I'm sold.
 
NFC is said to NOT work with a metal back and why the GS3 and other Androids with it have plastic backs.

I will find out soon enough as i have ordered a new battery cover with a metal back from China so i will see if it will work. They say it wont but i liked the look of the cover.
 
Trhodezy said:
Agree, give some reason to the not-so-nice backing design.

----------



I don't think its as simple as that.. ;)
Click to expand...

Well I agree with Applefandrew, I do believe it's as simple as that. Of course making up things to make it easier for some to accept that it's designed that way for some complex, wow factor reason is cool too. Just setting themselves up for disapointment.
 
On close examination of the inside of the cases we've been seeing, there's nothing 'electronic' there, just mill marks and stand-offs for a circuit board. No 'magic'.

I'm with others thinking this kind of talk gives Apple too much credit. Now take a walk on over and check out the Windows phone 8 for some real innovation and forward thinking. Quite impressive. These guys mean business while Apple coasts with a stretched iPhone 4.
 
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