The reason for the next iPhones new back.

[mnsportsgeek]

Right, inductive charging is pointless and severely limits the use of the phone while charging. If this were a WIRELESS charging feature and they sold a wireless module that sat in the center of your house for $50-$100, I would be all over that.

 

[Glideslope]

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.

Very plausible, IMO.

 

[Mad Mac Maniac]

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.

You no makey sense.

Why would it need a metal back for NFC?

Why would it need a metal back for wireless charging?

Why would it need a metal back for touch gestures?

Why would Apple make it magnetic which could interfere with internal componants? (You know a fridge isn't magnetic itself... magnetic materials stick to it)

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

But I thought you just said it had grown on you? Many people like the metal backing, and I have a feeling many more will like it when they see it in person. If you look at the early iPhone prototypes you will see that Apple has liked this design style for a long time and it looks like it's finally coming to fuition.

Could there be more to it than just "stronger material"? Possibly. Simlarly to how the "ugly" seams in the 4/4s were because it is the antenna. But I don't think it'll be a revolutionary purpose.

 

[Wrathwitch]

My guess would to be reduce the weight of the phone. Thin metal strip is much lighter than a slab of glass.

This allows the appearance of a thinner device as well as incorporating durability and potential to reduce damage from falls.

What I would LOVE to see would be to have the camera lense not flush with the back but slightly recessed so one doesn't have to worry about laying the phone down on its back and damaging the lense. Or sticking your fingers all over it when holding the phone in landscape mode.

 

[applefanDrew]

Nah, you don't know.

Yea, I do.