The iPhone 5 was effectively the first iPhone produced after the Steve Jobs era. Preparation for it began before Jobs’ death, but his absence has been felt in its design and promotion. Now, with the traditional June release season fast approaching, everyone is wondering what the next iPhone will look like and whether it will live up to the legend.
The first question is the name: Will it be called the iPhone 6 or the iPhone 5S? So far, there is no definitive answer on this. The 5S moniker might represent a smaller, more iterative step in the product line’s development, but it is unlikely to tamp down expectations very much. The iPhone 6 name would be a bolder step out of Jobs’ shadow.
Let’s discuss three things we might see in the latest iPhone release from most to least likely:
More Near Field Communication Support
Apple has raised eyebrows recently with its apparent refusal to implement extended NFC support for features like wireless purchasing at storefronts. However, the NFC technology landscape is changing rapidly and there is now a lot more incentive for Apple to implement some more robust NFC support. Bank of America has been testing mobile payment technology that would rely on NFC and effectively transform mobile devices into replacement wallets. Apple risks falling behind if the company does not make a firm commitment to NFC.
Extended Haptic Feedback
Haptic feedback — touch-based interfaces with physical feedback rather than visual or audio cues — is another area that has seen innovation since the iPhone 5 release. The ideal for many users would be an approach that allows the screen to provide a true keyboard as needed while reducing the device’s profile. While this technology is available, it’s not yet clear what next generation iPhone screens will offer. Apple’s acquisition of numerous new screen-related patents suggests we should expect the unexpected.
Wireless Charging
Wireless charging has been a desire of many executive iPhone users for a long time now. Those who are looking for the convenience and versatility of this feature should be heartened to know that related technology appears in Apple’s recent roster of patents. However, one will find only a few traces of this on record at Apple, so it’s not clear whether it will appear in the iPhone 6 release. It might roll out at a future date.
