Whats next? Peak iPhone?

[-Ray-]

Had a bit of a philosophical moment this morning as I was playing with my new shiny iPhone 6. Had me wondering what is next.. We currently have NFC, a finger print sensor, LTE, siri, a plethora of motion sensors, cameras, wifi ac support, home/health/car/airplay integration, and a few other things.

Its safe to say that we have reached peak screen size and would not likely see any improvements in that area. I have doubts that the sensors in the watch would make it to the phone. Wifi and cellular standards are dependent on third parties.

Outside of this the only innovation I can see is in the camera, screen resolution and speed bumps. Would this be enough innovation to make you upgrade? Is this even considered innovation without any new prominent feature? For the record, i don't consider wireless charging a life changing feature either.

Have we reached peak iPhone? What is android doing hardware wise that apple isn't?

 

[heisenberg123]

Had a bit of a philosophical moment this morning as I was playing with my new shiny iPhone 6. Had me wondering what is next.. We currently have NFC, a finger print sensor, LTE, siri, a plethora of motion sensors, cameras, wifi ac support, home/health/car/airplay integration, and a few other things.

Its safe to say that we have reached peak screen size and would not likely see any improvements in that area. I have doubts that the sensors in the watch would make it to the phone. Wifi and cellular standards are dependent on third parties.

Outside of this the only innovation I can see is in the camera, screen resolution and speed bumps. Would this be enough innovation to make you upgrade? Is this even considered innovation without any new prominent feature?

Have we reached peak iPhone? What is android doing hardware wise that apple isn't?

waterproof, IR Blasters, Multiscreen to name a few

 

[thedeejay]

I think for the next few years the peak has been reached. Perhaps small spec bumps and minor upgrades. Unless Apple or any other company pulls something out of thin air that no one expected. WaterProof isn't really innovation.

 

[Sweeperdk]

Battery life. An iPhone that lasts a week or more on one charge. I'm fairly certain that battery life is going to improve massively. It may not be innovative but it's something that I guess everyone wants

 

[-Ray-]

Battery life. An iPhone that lasts a week or more on one charge. I'm fairly certain that battery life is going to improve massively. It may not be innovative but it's something that I guess everyone wants

Well, battery life is always welcomed. But it is considered norm. Im talking about features that are new, and give you that I need to switch now vibe.

 

[Sweeperdk]

A weeks battery would most definitely be a "switch now" feature for many people. We discussed it the other day at work, and people all mentioned battery life as the next big thing

 

[Cloudsurfer]

Had a bit of a philosophical moment this morning as I was playing with my new shiny iPhone 6. Had me wondering what is next.. We currently have NFC, a finger print sensor, LTE, siri, a plethora of motion sensors, cameras, wifi ac support, home/health/car/airplay integration, and a few other things.

Its safe to say that we have reached peak screen size and would not likely see any improvements in that area. I have doubts that the sensors in the watch would make it to the phone. Wifi and cellular standards are dependent on third parties.

Outside of this the only innovation I can see is in the camera, screen resolution and speed bumps. Would this be enough innovation to make you upgrade? Is this even considered innovation without any new prominent feature? For the record, i don't consider wireless charging a life changing feature either.

Have we reached peak iPhone? What is android doing hardware wise that apple isn't?

I always thought the iPhone will one day be a fully fledged computer. As in, all the power of a laptop in your pocket. On the road you have a phone with you, at home you can plug it into an external monitor and have a desktop computer.

We're not quite there yet, but since A7 and A8 score better in benchmarks than my own MBP I'd say we're on the right track. Imagine working on a project in Final Cut Pro that is powered by... your phone. No more lugging a laptop around!

 

[blwade]

I always thought the iPhone will one day be a fully fledged computer. As in, all the power of a laptop in your pocket. On the road you have a phone with you, at home you can plug it into an external monitor and have a desktop computer.

We're not quite there yet, but since A7 and A8 score better in benchmarks than my own MBP I'd say we're on the right track. Imagine working on a project in Final Cut Pro that is powered by... your phone. No more lugging a laptop around!

While I think this would be REALLY cool...

I don't see that happening.

I think phones are reaching a peak and the next "big" improvements will come to wearable devices.

Much like laptops/desktops took a back seat to phones...

 

[Ladybug]

Battery life, shatterproof screens, flexible phones that can't be bent permanently, scratch proof... Mostly silly ideas I know, but I think the best way to improve these phones are storage, memory, batteries, and most important on the software side like the ability to customize your own phone to some degree.

See, this is why Ladybug is not running Apple.

 

[Starfyre]

Peak? There are already 5.0'' phones. Look at the Nexus 5 (5.0) evolution from the Nexus 4 (4.7).
They just need to make bezels smaller.

 

[RITmusic2k]

What you're describing is a maturing product segment. When smart phones are new, then each iteration represents huge leaps, but the size of those leaps get progressively smaller from generation to generation as we zero in on the 'ideal phone'. When they all start off lacking many crucial features or functionalities, then revolutionary change is expected and frequent. The better each phone gets, though, the less room there is for improvement.

Look at the automotive industry for example. That's a mature market. We've been making cars for over 100 years, and nobody signals 'The end of Ford' when a new Focus comes out with the same number of doors, wheels, and engines as its predecessor. 'Revolutionary' change is no longer a requirement when cars are pretty much as good at their job as they need to be. Big changes do still happen (Tesla's electric drivetrain / Google's driverless vehicles), but they're rare and in no way necessary to drive the industry.

Phones are getting there, and fast.

 

[Gix1k]

LED indicator. Separate volume control. Widgets. IP67. Less bezel

 

[gooberq]

Wireless charging.
Micro SD card support.
IR

 

[-Ray-]

What you're describing is a maturing product segment. When smart phones are new, then each iteration represents huge leaps, but the size of those leaps get progressively smaller from generation to generation as we zero in on the 'ideal phone'. When they all start off lacking many crucial features or functionalities, then revolutionary change is expected and frequent. The better each phone gets, though, the less room there is for improvement.

Look at the automotive industry for example. That's a mature market. We've been making cars for over 100 years, and nobody signals 'The end of Ford' when a new Focus comes out with the same number of doors, wheels, and engines as its predecessor. 'Revolutionary' change is no longer a requirement when cars are pretty much as good at their job as they need to be. Big changes do still happen (Tesla's electric drivetrain / Google's driverless vehicles), but they're rare and in no way necessary to drive the industry.

Phones are getting there, and fast.

You put this in a whole new prospective for me. Thank you.

 

[iHeartsteve]

I want this pre installed in the phone...hologram projected keyboard.

http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/16...e=&network=g&gclid=CMi6y66hkcECFY5r7Aods1MAKg

If I don't get this before I see wrinkles on my face, I may have to change my username to - bring back steve.

 

[arson]

I see people mentioning IR (infrared) blasters. I don't see the point in adding them. If anything, you should be pestering the TV manufacturers to start supporting more wireless protocols and not rely on outdated technology. It's like wanting an FM radio in your iPad.

 

[bpeeps]

LED indicator. Separate volume control. Widgets. IP67. Less bezel

iOS8 has the option to use the flash as an indicator since iOS5. Look through the settings. LED really adds very little.

 

[Sweeperdk]

Tbh, one thing I'd like other than better battery life, would be an LED indicator of sorts.

Nothing innovative in that, though.

But hey... Make the TouchID ring light up when receiving notifications, and I'd be happy.

 

[theMaccer]

make it waterproof, then GoPro is history

 

[Phil A.]

iOS8 has the option to use the flash as an indicator since iOS5. Look through the settings. LED really adds very little.

That's really not the same thing at all - far too bright, only one colour and on the wrong side of the phone! I'd like an indicator LED under the home button that could be completely disabled so everyone who says it's a useless feature can ignore it and those of us who find them useful can use it

 

[Agent-P]

I see people mentioning IR (infrared) blasters. I don't see the point in adding them. If anything, you should be pestering the TV manufacturers to start supporting more wireless protocols and not rely on outdated technology. It's like wanting an FM radio in your iPad.

Exactly! Bluetooth would be much better because you no longer need line of sight and that's a standard plenty of things use already (such as my home theatre speakers).

 

[Gix1k]

iOS8 has the option to use the flash as an indicator since iOS5. Look through the settings. LED really adds very little.

The flash is nothing like an LED on the front...

 

[famoussasjohn]

waterproof, IR Blasters, Multiscreen to name a few

If you're referring to the Galaxy S5 and Sport edition, it only offers water resistance but is not water proof. Multiscreen would be nice, howevr. IR blaster, not so much for me personally.

 

[bpeeps]

The flash is nothing like an LED on the front...

Plethora of Android phones with this "feature" if it's a dealbreaker for you. Really not that hard to push the home button to see what notifications you've missed.

 

[Gix1k]

Plethora of Android phones with this "feature" if it's a dealbreaker for you. Really not that hard to push the home button to see what notifications you've missed.

My point here with my Droids, I can make the light blink a certain color for various events. Therefore, I don't need to turn the screen on for some colors, but I do for others. It's something simple that's highly useful.