Apple Researching Movement-Aware Interfaces for iPhones

[W1LLk]

People forget the front camera, no, NO network in america could handle video calling. i had a nokia n95 and tried video chat once in europe where the network is far more superior than here (let alone at&t) and it looked like absolute crap, it looked like a seriously bad slideshow. ichat on iphone would be cool but i bet you my last paycheck you're at least 2 years away from that.

I think, being that this is a new patent, that something along the lines of "2 years" is probably what they had in mind, as by then the 4G network will be operational with ATT and Verizon using the same technology (by then, LTE Advanced) which can most definately handle streamed video as it is essentially WiMax Mimo IEEE 802.16m. UTMS is the transitional element carriers are moving to now, meaning video streaming (as well as the iPhone being available to Verizon) could be a reality as early as 2010, but likely in 2011-2012. If the Mayan calendar doesn't destroy us all first.

 

[W1LLk]

...and in case the road map is sketchy...

GSM (GPRS • EDGE (EGPRS) • EDGE Evolution • CSD • HSCSD) -->

CDMA (CDMAone • CDMA2000 • EV-DO • UMB-->

--> UMTS/FOMA (3G) --> 3GPP Rel. 8 (Pre-4G) • E-UTRA --> LTE Advanced (4G)

 

[Apple iKid]

I am definitely looking forward to the next release of the iPhone. While all of this features will probably not appear in the next model, I still have high expectations.

July is going to be awesome.

 

[zabbadoo]

Erm, how? The last 3 phones i've bought have had front facing cameras, not because I wanted that feature but because they all just happen to have one. I don't think many people are holding back from getting an iPhone for something like video chat. I'm thinking 32gb storage, better rear camera and better battery just to get on par with others. To blow them out of the water you'd need OLED, 64gb storage, high quality camera (not just high MP yada yada) and what other bells and whistles apple can pull out of the bag.

No phone can do 64gig of storage, so you're just dreaming. There's no phone for sale right now that can touch the iPhone's features. Other companies are still playing catch-up while Apple is already working on the new iPhone.

 

[chrmjenkins]

...and in case the road map is sketchy...

GSM (GPRS • EDGE (EGPRS) • EDGE Evolution • CSD • HSCSD) -->

CDMA (CDMAone • CDMA2000 • EV-DO • UMB-->

--> UMTS/FOMA (3G) --> 3GPP Rel. 8 (Pre-4G) • E-UTRA --> LTE Advanced (4G)

COLORS

 

[timp123]

I didn't say they could.. but in terms of storage and camera (and mms, copy paste, push etc.) apple are playing catch up and most of what we are about to get in this respect should have already been in the 3G if not the first gen iPhone.

Don't get me wrong, it's going to be a great phone (and i've been holding out for this one), but most of this should have been in the 3G if not the original.

 

[BumpnThoseBeats]

this sounds...

Pretty amazing in my eyes, if there is a camera installed in the front of the phone that means on the go video conferences from your effing phone! how more awesome can it really get? apple has it on lock!

cant wait for os 3.0 too!

 

[mikeinternet]

How about a 5 mpx cam on the back and a 3.2 mpx on the front? We heard that apple bought two different? Would be awesome

I haven't seen this answered yet. But wouldn't you only need one sensor to power 2 lenses? Thus making them both the same MP?

..Wouldn't 2 'better' cameras be best?

 

[mikeinternet]

People forget the front camera, no, NO network in america could handle video calling. i had a nokia n95 and tried video chat once in europe where the network is far more superior than here (let alone at&t) and it looked like absolute crap, it looked like a seriously bad slideshow. ichat on iphone would be cool but i bet you my last paycheck you're at least 2 years away from that.

Then for now it will be wifi only. And still be amazing as well as useful as a camera for taking your own photo.

 

[illegallydead]

I haven't seen this answered yet. But wouldn't you only need one sensor to power 2 lenses? Thus making them both the same MP?

..Wouldn't 2 'better' cameras be best?

Read my earlier post. The front-facing camera will, in all likelihood, be super small and only a meager resolution. Remember, you are shooting video with it. Even the fanciest camera phones only record at roughly 320x240 (640x480 if you're lucky). The usefulness of a front-facing camera for self portraits is limited at best, not to mention the lens housing and sensor will take up real estate on the front of the phone. They will keep it small and not all that noticeable, IMO.

And unless they do some crazy stuff, no, you WILL need 2 separate sensors. Remember that the sensor plays the part of film, if you will, and needs to be directly behind the lens, at least on cheaper, lower quality sensors that would be put in cell phones....

 

[kdarling]

There is NO front facing camera in the patent application.

Folks... some of you have obviously failed to read the thread, and are working yourself up for no good reason.

There is NO front facing camera mentioned in the patent application.

Even if there were, it wouldn't mean the next model would have one.

Apple's patent applications also mention things like Wi-MAX and CDMA radios, for instance.

 

[tomascco]

Hey, I got an idea! Buttons? Yeah, buttons that you can actually feel. Wouldn't that be cool? That way you can feel your way around the physical buttons without having to look at them. Sort of like the way I'm doing right now on the keyboard. I'm not really looking at my hands as they type, just typing.

Nah, it'll never fly.