Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Apple Always has something up it's sleeves firmware wise, what will it be this year?

iFanaddic

iFanaddic

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Sep 24, 2008
842
302
Montréal, Canada
We may have ios 8 beta out now but Apple usually keeps a few key functions out. Probably those that would give away the new hardware before the release.

Are we expecting anything new to pop up "softwarewise" in 2 weeks?

The only thing I could see being introduced with bigger screen iPhone is landscape function but I really doubt this would be the only thing distinguishing the iPhone 5S from the iPhone 6.

What do you think?
 
Not just firmware wise - but hardware wise.

3G got GPS.
3GS got compass.
4 got gyroscope + front camera.
4s got GLONASS.
5 got Lightning
5s got touchid

What new hardware feature will 6 get?

Probably NFC.

There will be some sort of new siri type thing that only happens to work on iphone 6 of course.
 
myforwik said:
Not just firmware wise - but hardware wise.

3G got GPS.
3GS got compass.
4 got gyroscope + front camera.
4s got GLONASS.
5 got Lightning
5s got touchid

What new hardware feature will 6 get?

Probably NFC.

There will be some sort of new siri type thing that only happens to work on iphone 6 of course.
Click to expand...

Well it would have to be...NFC requires a special chip in the hardware.
 
myforwik said:
Not just firmware wise - but hardware wise.

3G got GPS.
3GS got compass.
4 got gyroscope + front camera.
4s got GLONASS.
5 got Lightning
5s got touchid

What new hardware feature will 6 get?

Probably NFC.

There will be some sort of new siri type thing that only happens to work on iphone 6 of course.
Click to expand...

A barometer seems more likely than NFC at this moment - of course, both could happen though.
 
Thing about like the jump from the 4s to the 5. There wasn't much new iPhone 5 exclusive software/hardware feature besides that iOS would run on a bigger display and the standard improved camera features.
 
Multiple users on the iPad, you unlock the device with your finger and it takes you to the right account, load bookmarks in Safari, your email accounts, facebook, twitter and so on. I think touch ID will make its way on the iPad this year, so it would be very convenient.
That would be a great feature on the iPad, while I find it useless on the iPhone.

I don't think they'll introduce this feature in iOS 8 though :(

Maybe we'll see some more health-kit features based on new sensor, the barometer and maybe something else
 
I'll be hugely disappointed if there isn't wireless charging. And if there is, Apple better let me disable the vibration when charging initiates - does my head in. I work in a quiet office, and I sometimes charge my phone. Even with vibrate off, or do not disturb on, it still vibrates when I plug it in. Makes quite the noise my iPhone 5.

NFC would be nice too, but I can live without it.
 
I'm not expecting much outside of the larger form factor - that and the thinner design. I think that will be the extent of the updates
 
Kilamite said:
I'll be hugely disappointed if there isn't wireless charging.
Click to expand...

Next iPhone will be too thin to have this feature right out of the box.
Maybe it'll be possible with a special case, like Nokia 925 does. So they can sell you the phone AND the case. Go profits!
 
Kilamite said:
I'll be hugely disappointed if there isn't wireless charging. And if there is, Apple better let me disable the vibration when charging initiates - does my head in. I work in a quiet office, and I sometimes charge my phone. Even with vibrate off, or do not disturb on, it still vibrates when I plug it in. Makes quite the noise my iPhone 5.

NFC would be nice too, but I can live without it.
Click to expand...

I would be surprised if apple offers wireless charging. With a reversible USB plug on the way that doesn't seem to be where they are headed.
 
I7guy said:
I would be surprised if apple offers wireless charging. With a reversible USB plug on the way that doesn't seem to be where they are headed.
Click to expand...

Considering "wireless charging" isn't actually wireless and still requires a cable to be plugged in to an outlet and charging pad, the reversible USB cable could still have use - including as a sync cable when connected to a computer.

I'll yawn if "wireless charging" is the hidden feature. Waste of internal space.

Wake me up when I can walk into my house and have my phone charging TRULY wirelessly.
 
jrswizzle said:
Considering "wireless charging" isn't actually wireless and still requires a cable to be plugged in to an outlet and charging pad, the reversible USB cable could still have use - including as a sync cable when connected to a computer.

I'll yawn if "wireless charging" is the hidden feature. Waste of internal space.

Wake me up when I can walk into my house and have my phone charging TRULY wirelessly.
Click to expand...

THAT'S what I'm talking about. Wireless charging with a range of at least 3-5 feet. That would be useful.
 
jlake02 said:
THAT'S what I'm talking about. Wireless charging with a range of at least 3-5 feet. That would be useful.
Click to expand...

That would be incredibly wasteful. Once the phone is 3-5 feet away from the charger, the charger would have to output nearly 100 times as much power to charge the phone versus it being in contact with it. Inverse square law.
 
jrswizzle said:
Considering "wireless charging" isn't actually wireless and still requires a cable to be plugged in to an outlet and charging pad, the reversible USB cable could still have use - including as a sync cable when connected to a computer.



I'll yawn if "wireless charging" is the hidden feature. Waste of internal space.



Wake me up when I can walk into my house and have my phone charging TRULY wirelessly.
Click to expand...


With that logic there will never be true wireless charging. The system that would charge through out your house will be connected via wires. The power to your house will come in on wires. Etc etc.

With current tech it's possible to charge by being in front of a wireless charger a few feet. So for example your phone charges being in front of a Mac monitor with the tech built in. Which is still connected via a wire btw. I still think we are a ways off from even seeing that.
 
cynics said:
With that logic there will never be true wireless charging. The system that would charge through out your house will be connected via wires. The power to your house will come in on wires. Etc etc.

With current tech it's possible to charge by being in front of a wireless charger a few feet. So for example your phone charges being in front of a Mac monitor with the tech built in. Which is still connected via a wire btw. I still think we are a ways off from even seeing that.
Click to expand...

Hmmm, perhaps.

Maybe what I should say is I'm waiting for contactless wireless charging, along the lines of what you've described with an iMac. I've seen those patents around here.
 
jrswizzle said:
Hmmm, perhaps.



Maybe what I should say is I'm waiting for contactless wireless charging, along the lines of what you've described with an iMac. I've seen those patents around here.
Click to expand...


There is a demonstration somewhere on YouTube using a modified iPhone that looked very promising but I can't find it right now. YouTube is so flooded with the current wireless charging method it's tough to find. I'll look for it when I get home to post up here.

My problem with it is I don't feel like buying a new iMac (if that's the way it's incorporated) nor do I sit in front of it enough. If that were the case I'd much prefer buying a couple much more portable charging mats. Be cool if the phone could do both! That way it's useful in the short and long term.
 
zorinlynx said:
That would be incredibly wasteful. Once the phone is 3-5 feet away from the charger, the charger would have to output nearly 100 times as much power to charge the phone versus it being in contact with it. Inverse square law.
Click to expand...

Exactly right.

Why can't folks understand that that's the precise reason wireless charging will never be more than a novelty, as the output required (especially with it not being a low power (relatively) device) would be enormous? It's just not feasible yet, and will always be terribly inefficient even when there is a better delivery method. Not to mention the potential health risks that would go along with that much EMR output constantly flowing through the air (and if it was enough to charge a 3.7V lithium polymer battery in a few hours from more than a few inches a way, it'd be a LOT).

Not worth it either way.

NFC will be the new "feature". Along with some health related stuff (barometer maybe). TouchID will finally do more, and of course it'll be bigger, thinner, faster, and have fancier cameras.

There ya have it. Skip the announcement and just get in line now.
 
jrswizzle said:
Considering "wireless charging" isn't actually wireless and still requires a cable to be plugged in to an outlet and charging pad, the reversible USB cable could still have use - including as a sync cable when connected to a computer.

I'll yawn if "wireless charging" is the hidden feature. Waste of internal space.

Wake me up when I can walk into my house and have my phone charging TRULY wirelessly.
Click to expand...

Being able to just place my phone down on a mat by my bed and it start charging would be very handy. Not to mention it could help pave the way for a future where we can charge our phones at an airport by placing them on most tables, rather than fighting over the limited power sockets and having to get your charger out your bag.
 
cynics said:
There is a demonstration somewhere on YouTube using a modified iPhone that looked very promising but I can't find it right now. YouTube is so flooded with the current wireless charging method it's tough to find. I'll look for it when I get home to post up here.

My problem with it is I don't feel like buying a new iMac (if that's the way it's incorporated) nor do I sit in front of it enough. If that were the case I'd much prefer buying a couple much more portable charging mats. Be cool if the phone could do both! That way it's useful in the short and long term.
Click to expand...

Hmm, I'm thinking make it work with ALL Macs - including laptops.

May be problematic given laptops are always connected, but that's why you'd have settings and such. If you need extra juice, just power up the laptop and it'll send some rays your phone's way.

Cool to think about.

----------
Kilamite said:
Being able to just place my phone down on a mat by my bed and it start charging would be very handy. Not to mention it could help pave the way for a future where we can charge our phones at an airport by placing them on most tables, rather than fighting over the limited power sockets and having to get your charger out your bag.
Click to expand...

Big table =/= small power mat.

The mats have been around for years. Never really appealed to me. Reversible cable makes it only slightly more difficult to plug your device in versus setting it down.

And you pay for the extra mat + you can't use the device while it charges unless you are sitting over it.
 
jrswizzle said:
Hmm, I'm thinking make it work with ALL Macs - including laptops.



May be problematic given laptops are always connected, but that's why you'd have settings and such. If you need extra juice, just power up the laptop and it'll send some rays your phone's way.



Cool to think about.

----------





Big table =/= small power mat.



The mats have been around for years. Never really appealed to me. Reversible cable makes it only slightly more difficult to plug your device in versus setting it down.



And you pay for the extra mat + you can't use the device while it charges unless you are sitting over it.
Click to expand...


What about restaurants that incorporate wireless charging into their tables. I believe star bucks now has a few locations that do this.

Using the device is the same as I normally would use it when it's sitting on a table in front of me.
 
cynics said:
What about restaurants that incorporate wireless charging into their tables. I believe star bucks now has a few locations that do this.

Using the device is the same as I normally would use it when it's sitting on a table in front of me.
Click to expand...

Aye - the whole table concept works well.

I'm speaking about home use.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back