What Will Apple Do In the Near Future?

| Tuesday, March 26, 2013
By Mary McDonald


Though iPhone 5 is hardly more than 6 months old, there is currently extensive rumor involving the subsequent iPhone upgrade. Many believe that Apple will even release more than one iPhone this year, though there is plenty of argument about what those phones will be.

Much of the iPhone speculation coming out these days includes the notion that Apple is developing an inexpensive "S" iPhone: one with an appearance and feel reminiscent of previous items including iPods. Such course is believed to make things quite challenging for Apple, specifically if their objective is to develop the sort of exhilaration and sales volumes typical of expected brand-new and ingenious "shock and awe" Apple products.

On the competitors front, new gadgets from competitors are making things much more difficult for Apple's purported "S" upgrade. Rumors of a 4.8-inch iPhone prototype that recently appeared do not seem likely for the following iPhone. These rumors have, subsequently, prompted mainstream media and analysts ' contentions that Apple is losing out on iPhone sales in cases where customers pick bigger display gadgets. Will consumers desire or expect a larger screen on the next iPhone, or will Apple's usual general refresh suffice?

An Overview of Past "S" Upgrades.

Previously, Apple "S" iPhones consisted of a couple of significant upgrades: a faster processor, improved camera, and new software attributes that normally make the most of the faster CPU. For example, the iPhone 3GS included a better (3-megapixel) camera with autofocus and video recording, along with a much faster processor and new apps like voice control, an inbuilt compass, and VoiceOver. The iPhone 4S included a new dual-core A5 chip, an updated 8-megapixel camera and, on the app side, Siri. For this reason, it could be feasible to assess the most likely new attributes of the iPhone 5S. However will just an "S" upgrade be enough to trounce the increasingly tempting 5-inch Android-powered competition? Historically, Apple has kept the same physical design as the previous generation iPhone when presenting an "S" upgrade.

Historically, Apple has actually ratcheted up the lure of a "S" upgrade by adding new software capability, with distinctive voice control and video recording in the iPhone 3GS, in addition to Siri on the iPhone 4S. Lots of people are expecting a redesign of Apple's aging stock apps with the arrival of iOS 7, hopefully later this year. Such renovations might include a fingerprint sensor, NFC, and a quicker CPU.

One significant function Apple could possibly put forward that would make the most of the anticipated faster CPU is an offline mode for Siri. This has actually been a frustration for users who just want to make use of dictation, control songs, launch apps, or make calls without a Web hookup. Apple can benefit from a much faster CPU to bring a few of the processing for certain Siri and dictation functions locally to the device to permit offline use. Numerous users have noticed many of these functions, such as offline dictation, are currently available on Android devices. Offline mode can additionally enhance response time for Siri-- something that's noticeably behind Google's Now service.

There are numerous reports hypothesizing on the inclusion of NFC in an iPhone upgrade. Android makers are already making use of NFC innovation in their high-end gadgets for payments, content sharing, and wireless charging. Apple might be well advised to finally include NFC technology in the iPhone 5S: when it comes to PassBook in order to help with processing payments for credit cards connected to iTunes accounts. A step like this would provide significant contest for Google Wallet.

There is some well-founded speculation that iPhone 5S will have a fingerprint sensor, particularly because Apple's recent acquisition of Authentec, a business that has patents related to fingerprint sensors and related innovation. Android devices have actually currently added fingerprint sensors for safety features, so an iPhone with a fingerprint sensor and apps that exceed simply unlocking the product can certainly be a huge exclusive attribute for the 5S.

Another apparent upgrade to 5S focuses on camera improvements: bumping up the current 8-megapixel iPhone 5 camera to a 13-megapixel camera sensor, and featuring a larger, enhanced rear flash. With several of the brand-new high-end Android devices already packing 12- and 13-megapixel cameras, any camera upgrades will probably be a significant focus for Apple. This might or could not incorporate new software camera functions.

One more possibility for the camera is a stand alone hardware shutter button. While the volume button lets you snap an image when the camera app is open, it would be much quicker to be able to instantly snap a photo with a press of a button from anywhere. Although not most likely based on previous patterns, Apple can bump up the specs on the 1.2-megapixel FaceTime camera to support 1080p video recording. This would also be perfect for FaceTime over cellular.

Timeline. While there are reports this year of a possible spring/early summertime refresh, historic reference implies iPhone 5S will most likely appear in the third quarter of this year. Further, some experts believe that Apple might have already begun manufacturing of the 5S for a June or July launch. Does this suggest an additional major upgrade in October or September? That possibility constantly exists, suggesting a move by Apple to bi-yearly, 2-item item cycle. If this happened, iPhone 5 would see a price drop, becoming Apple's lesser priced iPhone, while the iPhone 5S would get the $199 entry pricing like every brand-new iPhone before it.

The concern always is: Exactly what will Apple do next?




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