Next iPhone: Double Resolution Display, Front Camera, Multi-Tasking?

[Niko03]

Doesn't a display of this resolution cause a number of problems? The first being is it is almost at the same resolution as the iPad!!

Wouldn't this canabalise the Ipad sales?

Tony

Please. Think about it.

The iPhone and iPad are different products that have different purposes,
even though they share the same OS.

If I need a phone i get the iPhone.
If I need a multipurpose tablet and want a physically bigger screen,
and don't need a phone, I get the iPad.

W

 

[Niko03]

what? you have the capability but not the ability?

with 3.0 apple added internet tethering. since june of last year i've been able to use my iphone to tether

AT&T (sigh)

Actually I can't recall having been in a situation where I would have used/needed it.

 

[Niko03]

chocolate chip cookies > peanut butter cookies

peanut butter cookies with chocolate chips > chocolate chip cookies

 

[Jensend]

There is nothing I'm aware of in the consumer pipeline close to breaking 300ppi. 240-260 is about the limit right now in terms of technology and price.

It would be nothing short of groundbreaking news, and there hasn't been so much as a murmur about it.

The Canon Digital Rebel T2i has 720*480 on a 3" screen (3 subpixels per pixel)
That is just over 288ppi.

A 3.5 inch screen at 960*640 would be 330ppi.

There are LCDs with much finer pitch than these. They are used in Electronic view finders. This one from epson is 2128ppi!
There Probably just hasn't been demand for a higher resolution screen.

 

[matticus008]

The Canon Digital Rebel T2i has 720*480 on a 3" screen (3 subpixels per pixel)
That is just over 288ppi.

A 3.5 inch screen at 960*640 would be 330ppi.

Correct. 288 and 330 aren't remotely close to each other, though. If there is any display in development at or above 300ppi for release in the next two years, it is being kept extremely confidential. Smartphone-sized displays and digitizers are just starting to hit 260. Jumping to 330 with any shipping or announced product lines is just not possible. Apple can't magically summon what isn't available for purchase from its suppliers.

Much more likely that "double resolution" was meant as "double the pixel count"--something more in the neighborhood of 800*532 if they're sticking with 3:2. This would bring the iPhone in line with the best products currently available for its market segment. It would also allow all existing software to work without modification--everything would remain the same physical size and suffer no distortion.

There are LCDs with much finer pitch than these. They are used in Electronic view finders. This one from epson is 2128ppi!
There Probably just hasn't been demand for a higher resolution screen.

There's plenty of demand, just not at the cost required. The viewfinders you reference are half-inch screens. They don't exist in the 3-4" range for the same reasons that 200+ppi screens don't exist in the 10-15" size, and why 160+ ppi screens don't exist in large format sizes: manufacturing difficulty, and thus, price.

 

[RebelScum]

:shakeshead:

Y'know I want a 2X rez iPhone, I really really do.

My buddy just got an HTC HD2 and it's amazing. Another fried has a Nexus One and it's droolworthy.

Both of those devices are infinitely better than the iPhone, in almost every conceivable way. (I reserve judgement on the music player )

But you know what the big difference is?

Both of those guys waited until the device was launched before they passed judgement on it. Neither of them called bull***** on vaporware, like (almost) this whole thread is doing.

Do I want a 1ghz proc? Do I Want a 720p cammy? Surely, but I'm not about to go online and start a sermon on the mount about it.

Speculation is one thing. Calling bullhit on speculation is teh lame. GTFOver it...it's JUST a phone.

This thread is getting madly irritating.

 

[RebelScum]

AT&T (sigh)

Actually I can't recall having been in a situation where I would have used/needed it.

^^^re. Tethering

In Canada, Rogers has decided to NOT restrict tethering on plans >1gb/Mo. That's huge for me (6gb/mo) as I can now surf on my laptop in the car (ideally, when someone else is driving )

There are countless uses for a tethering app on one's smartphone. When you need it, you'll be glad you have it.

But that's beside the point.

The bigger issue is, you;re paying for data already. Who the eff is AT&T (or anyone, for that matter) to tell you how and when to use said data? It's a product, you;ve bought it...now do with it what you will. I don't see any way in which it's not that simple.

 

[John Dillinger]

From your article

I recently read a very interesting article from Arstechnica that shined a lot of light on the screens of the Nexus One and how the resolution claims are not truly what they seem to be (and why). I recommend.

Summation:

"Only when compared with an extremely high-res LCD screen like on the Droid are the text fuzziness comments truly noticeable—and that's a high standard to hold the screen to.

The Nexus One screen remains better than the iPhone screen for text reproduction because the overall resolution is much higher, even taking into account the factors I describe. So if the iPhone is your measuring stick, the N1 screen really rocks. Overall, the N1 display is beautiful and vivid with dark blacks and incredible photo reproduction. (I don't even have a problem with the visibility of sunlight viewing of the display which is a frequent complaint.)"

Apple need to upp the ante with iphone 4. And they will, but by how much??

Specs wise they are already playing catch up on pretty much everything (multi-touch sensitivity excluded, and this difference is weakly in iphones favour)

Will they really allow iphone specs to be this close to ipad? I also dont expect much change to the look, they like things to harmonise and ipad seems a big hint at the future, though hopefully they can get some better textures at least. Will be interesting...

 

[John Dillinger]

Please. Think about it.

The iPhone and iPad are different products that have different purposes,
even though they share the same OS.

If I need a phone i get the iPhone.
If I need a multipurpose tablet and want a physically bigger screen,
and don't need a phone, I get the iPad.

W

Thing is theyre not that different in capabilities are they??

Iphone isnt exactly marketed as 'just a phone'. Its a multipurpose device that does many of the things the ipad does with smaller screen!

Its "the internet in your pocket"

New iphone will definitely take some shine off ipad which i think is why so many are miffed the ipad is so similar, going as far as sharing the same OS, but hopefully that will change.

 

[matticus008]

Specs wise they are already playing catch up on pretty much everything (multi-touch sensitivity excluded, and this difference is weakly in iphones favour)

This is how it's supposed to be, though. The iPhone display is 3 years old. Even the 3GS in terms of processor performance is pushing 2 years old. The fact that actual competitors have finally appeared since the 3GS is a good thing. Leapfrogging is good for the consumer.

Multitouch isn't even a competition, though. The iPhone remains head-and-shoulders above the competition in touchscreen accuracy and performance. Internal storage, too.

The big issues with the iPhone are the screen, the cellular radio hardware, and the processor, and at least two of those will definitely be upgraded this year.

Will they really allow iphone specs to be this close to ipad?

Sure. It's easy to forget that the iPhone is, in fact, more expensive than the iPad. Even with the hardware upgrades and a possible unsubsidized cost price drop, they're going to be more or less identical devices in terms of hardware and price. One has a bigger display and battery, and the other has more expensive wireless hardware and some specialized miniaturization and power requirements. It's the software and the screen that will drive the distinction.

 

[deconstruct60]

Much more likely that "double resolution" was meant as "double the pixel count"--something more in the neighborhood of 800*532 if they're sticking with 3:2.

Currently iPhone 480 x 320 . So pixel count is 153,600

Doubling that is 307,200 pixels.

However, 800 x 532 is 425,600 pixels ( about a 277% increase. )

If bump 1.5 (looking for about 1/2 contribution of new pixels from both dimensions) and keep 3:2 aspect, then 720 x 480 screen and 345,600 pixels ( about 225% increase). That could be rounded to 2x . The other rounds to 3x .

720 x 480 just happens to be the EDTV 480p dimensions. (although for TV usually implicit that those are rectangle pixels so not exactly same content. )

The 480 dimension would exactly match the Nexus One (800x480) and Droid (854x480). Just would be a bit less pixels going up (about 16% drop than Driod screen). Not sure if that helps keep the costs lower (fewer pixels), but if so that wouldn't be too bad. Certainly better than the current 480 going up. And when rotate the phone will have same dimension as it was before... just along a different fixed edge of the phone. Some scaling but it is familiar.

Since keep same aspect presumable would keep same size screen 3.5" so minimal change to form factor. Just pack more pixels into same size screen.



[ However VGA is ...

640 × 480 4:3 307,200

That would tweak the aspect ratio. That's doesn't quite make sense unless going to go a bit bigger and put black bars around app like on the iPad ( which has 5:3 ratio so not even aligning with it ).

]

It would also allow all existing software to work without modification--everything would remain the same physical size and suffer no distortion.

Hmm, the ratio is the same, but seems like stretching a bit more to just bump into the 800 & up range.

Maybe looking in wrong place but don't see any panels listed on the web like this already out there. Seems doable though (around the 250 ppi range. )

 

[trekkie604]

3GSx would be worse...

iPhone 3GS Enhanced Media Edition?

in any case, I'm looking forward to a new iPhone... My 3G is getting old and I've managed to avoid the temptation of opting for a 3GS thus far.

 

[greygray]

iPhone 3GS Enhanced Media Edition?

in any case, I'm looking forward to a new iPhone... My 3G is getting old and I've managed to avoid the temptation of opting for a 3GS thus far.

That's a disgusting name! Lol.

 

[oTaRu]

iPhone 3GS Enhanced Media Edition?

in any case, I'm looking forward to a new iPhone... My 3G is getting old and I've managed to avoid the temptation of opting for a 3GS thus far.

Same here! I am using my current 3G model for almost 2yrs... currently it has been serving me for the past 19 months and I am able to clear my mind off 3GS...

Dear ,

I wish for a decent and a not disappointing upgrade iPhone.

 

[Niko03]

Thing is theyre not that different in capabilities are they??

Iphone isnt exactly marketed as 'just a phone'. Its a multipurpose device that does many of the things the ipad does with smaller screen!

Its "the internet in your pocket"

New iphone will definitely take some shine off ipad which i think is why so many are miffed the ipad is so similar, going as far as sharing the same OS, but hopefully that will change.

No they are not that different in basic capability.
But then again neither is any smartphone vs netbook.
The screen size, along with the apps will be the major difference in function.
The ipad is closer to the iPod touch then the iPhone.

I have an iPhone as well as two latest gen iPod touches.
I am still seriously considering an ipad. Why?

Most of my surfing takes place at night on the sofa via my iPhone.
(where the iPhone bumped out the laptop because the laptop is awkward in that circumstance)
The problem is the screen size, which limits it's capabilities.
The iPhone is a phone first and foremost. The ipad is not a phone.

 

[Jensend]

Correct. 288 and 330 aren't remotely close to each other, though. If there is any display in development at or above 300ppi for release in the next two years, it is being kept extremely confidential. Smartphone-sized displays and digitizers are just starting to hit 260. Jumping to 330 with any shipping or announced product lines is just not possible. Apple can't magically summon what isn't available for purchase from its suppliers.

15% is an insurmountable increase? Were 9.7 inch IPS screens available before the iPad? That is the smallest IPS screen I have seen. LCD manufacturers seem to have a lot of flexibility on sizes and resolutions.

Much more likely that "double resolution" was meant as "double the pixel count"--something more in the neighborhood of 800*532 if they're sticking with 3:2. This would bring the iPhone in line with the best products currently available for its market segment. It would also allow all existing software to work without modification--everything would remain the same physical size and suffer no distortion.

...Except all bitmap graphics would be blurred. The only reason I see Apple even considering going higher than 720*480 is app compatibility.

There's plenty of demand, just not at the cost required. The viewfinders you reference are half-inch screens. They don't exist in the 3-4" range for the same reasons that 200+ppi screens don't exist in the 10-15" size, and why 160+ ppi screens don't exist in large format sizes: manufacturing difficulty, and thus, price.

More pixels at any given size will probably always be more expensive. I don't know anything about manufacturing LCDs, but given the extremes of PPI and sizes available, I don't think a ~3.5" LCD at ~330ppi is very extreme.

 

[Compile 'em all]

I am a little skeptical about the front facing camera. If the much bigger iPad doesn't have it, why would iPhone have it?

What is this? Really. Do you guys use this thing above your necks?

What does the iPad having a camera have to do with the iPhone having a camera? The iPad is built to be used with any orientation. In fact, Apple highly recommends that developers support at least two orientations in their iPad apps. They even rejected submissions for that reason alone. Apple really pushed this "orientation doesn't matter" theme even in their own iPad apps.

Add a camera to the iPad, and you realize you have a problem. This is not the case with the iPhone.

 

[Neebee]

This is how it's supposed to be, though. The iPhone display is 3 years old. Even the 3GS in terms of processor performance is pushing 2 years old. The fact that actual competitors have finally appeared since the 3GS is a good thing. Leapfrogging is good for the consumer.

It's a good thing for the consumer,definitely. Not so good if you have your heart set on the iPhone or already have countless apps waiting to be installed cuz you sold your iPhone.

However, I don't like how Apple is just following their competitors. They really started out with a very innovative product but failed to surpass their competitors, at least for now.

I wouldnt be surprised if after this upcoming model, Apple will do something completely different in terms of the iPhone hardware and appearance. If they don't, they'll only have their loyal past customers to keep the iPhone line. Then again, look at the MAC and look how long it took Apple to integrate an INTEL CPU into their MAC?

Apple may just be pushing their luck with the past success of the iPhone while HTC and Google will do their darnest to kick their butt and win over a lot of customers. The Nexus One is really the smartphone to beat right now. Sadly, I'm on the fence between the Nexus One and the new iPhone. If the next iPhone lacks the umph and fails to surpass the HTC in the reviews, I'll have no choice but to go with the competition provided my carrier offers a 6 GB data plan that they normally do when the next iPhone is launched. If they don't, I'll pick up a non smartphone from Ebay and use that until carriers realize that they can't cripple the data bandwidth and charge insane amounts in monthly fees for data when smartphone devices are becoming increasingly data intensive.

 

[cmaier]

What is this? Really. Do you guys use this thing above your necks?

What does the iPad having a camera have to do with the iPhone having a camera? The iPad is built to be used with any orientation. In fact, Apple highly recommends that developers support at least two orientations in their iPad apps. They even rejected submissions for that reason alone. Apple really pushed this "orientation doesn't matter" theme even in their own iPad apps.

Add a camera to the iPad, and you realize you have a problem. This is not the case with the iPhone.

you can only dock in one orientation, so I think only being able to practically videoconference in one orientation, too, wouldn't kill anyone.

 

[matticus008]

15% is an insurmountable increase?

1% is an insurmountable increase if there's nothing available for purchase that can do it.

What you're saying is like telling AMG that they've already made their newest car go 243mph, so how hard is making it go 280mph instead?

Pointing to a Learjet that can go 600mph or a 500-pound one-man desert racer that can go 300mph doesn't make it possible on a 4000 pound car in between. This is the kind of idle fantasizing and armchair "how hard can it be" that ends up leading to such huge letdowns when the actual product is announced. "Just take the best thing out there and improve it by 15%" isn't the one-step process you make it seem.

Were 9.7 inch IPS screens available before the iPad?

Yes.

...Except all bitmap graphics would be blurred.

No, they wouldn't. They'd remain the same physical size. Blurring is a result of taking content and physically enlarging it. 720p content on a 30" monitor looks pretty much the same as 720p content on a 30" TV, even though the resolution is substantially higher on the former.

 

[glowstikgorilla]

I need some advice -

My iphone 3g was stolen a few weeks ago so I purchased a 3gs on an early upgrade from ATT ($300) With talk of a new iphone coming out June/July I am questioning why I would keep this 3gs ...

What do you think - Should I take it back and wait it out? This happened to me when I got the 3g and a few months later the 3gs came out

 

[Neebee]

I need some advice -

My iphone 3g was stolen a few weeks ago so I purchased a 3gs on an early upgrade from ATT ($300) With talk of a new iphone coming out June/July I am questioning why I would keep this 3gs ...

What do you think - Should I take it back and wait it out? This happened to me when I got the 3g and a few months later the 3gs came out

Do fish swim?

 

[matticus008]

Currently iPhone 480 x 320 . So pixel count is 153,600

Doubling that is 307,200 pixels.

However, 800 x 532 is 425,600 pixels ( about a 277% increase. )

Oops, you're right; I did the math wrong in my head. 800x532 is closer to triple than double. 720x480 isn't really a feasible option, though. They're going to have to get it into the Droid's ballpark to stay competitive through the next generation. Splitting the difference just isn't going to get anyone's attention at this point.

 

[glowstikgorilla]

Do fish swim?

that was helpful

 

[megadon]

I could care less about who says what. All I know is that the EVO 4G looks amazing (specs) and hopefully apple tries to reach that bar.

I'm praying they have ichat on the new iphone. That's the only way I would buy the new iphone as I'm jailbroken and have have been multitasking for a while now.