Rumours and speculation are flying thick and fast over the iPhone 5; apparently "sources" have leaked details and rough release dates for the new Apple product.
Until Apple actually confirms or denies these rumours, we can't give any details on the phone itself … but here is a list of the top features we hope to see included in the iPhone 5.
Enhanced voice control
Apple didn't show off any new voice-control features as part of its iOS 5 preview. But rumour has it that those features weren't quite ready to be shown off at Apple's WWDC in June, so we may very well get them. We do expect that Apple will continue to flesh out the voice controls for the iPhone with significant enhancements. It would be cool to be able to compose and send e-mails or text messages by just using your voice, no?
*Micro HDMI out
In March, Apple finally announced support for full 720p or 1080i HD video output for the iPhone 4, iPod Touch 4G, and iPad 2. However, you need Apple's $39 Digital AV to send that HD video (audio) to a TV or monitor, whereas many Android-powered smartphones offer a built-in Micro-HDMI port that only requires an inexpensive $5 cable to run video to your TV.
Apple's recent announcement that it would be adding AirPlay mirroring as part of iOS 5 fueled hope that the feature would be available for the iPhone. In demos, Apple has shown the new feature working with the iPad 2, (what's on your iPad 2's screen is wirelessly streamed to an Apple TV connected to a TV), but it's quite possible that the next-generation iPhone will support AirPlay mirroring. Still, it's worth mentioning that Apple TV is an AU$129 accessory.
Chance of implementation: 2 per cent.
*Removable battery
This well-known rendering of a future iPhone dreams of a model with a removable battery. That appears to run counter to Apple's current design principles.
*Expandable memory
Not happening, but just thought we'd mention it.
*NFC-enabled (near field communication technology)
Rumor has it that Apple may be working on adding near field communication technology (NFC) into the next iPhone. This is sort of a bar code replacement technology that would allow your iPhone — among other things — to act as a payment device (e-wallet) or even a car key.
Chance of implementation: 35 per cent.
*More memory
A lot of people were disappointed that the iPhone 4 didn't come in a 64GB version (only 16GB and 32GB). Maybe next year we'll get 64GB.
Chance of implementation: 50 per cent.
*Improved home screen and notifications system
iPhone users have been waiting a long time for a more customisable home screen, with a real "dashboard" and a better, streamlined notifications system. Apple is delivering all that in OS 5, and though the new design may fall a little short for some folks, it's certainly a huge advancement. Of course, Android users will point out that these features, including customisable widgets, have long been available on Android smartphones.
Chance of implementation: 100 per cent.
*Better cloud-computing support
In previous versions of this list, we've asked for this feature, and we'll now get it with iCloud in the fall. In some ways iCloud is more restrictive than Amazon's iDrive cloud storage solution, which allows you to store all your photos and videos (Apple's iCloud has not addressed video yet), but it's a big step forward, and the fact that you can mirror your iTunes music library (regardless of where you got your music) for US$25 a year is an enticing offer.
Chance of implementation: 100 per cent.
*Video chat (FaceTime) over cellular network
Currently, on the iPhone 4, FaceTime only works over Wi-Fi (yes, there are some workarounds to get it to work over 3G, but Apple doesn't officially support it). In iOS 5, doing FaceTime over a cellular data network is now part of the settings menu but it looks like the carriers have control over whether it's enabled.
Chance of implementation: 75 per cent.
*Larger screen
Rumours continue to surface that Apple will be expanding the size of its iPhone screen to compete with the larger screens on Android smartphones.
From our polling on CNET, we've found that a clear majority of our readers want a larger screen. However, they don't want the iPhone to get any bigger or lose any battery life.
We're hoping Apple can come up with the right balance, but as you can see from this mock-up, going to 4 inches makes a significant difference and is probably the optimal size for a smartphone screen.
Chance of implementation: 50 per cent.
*Better camera
We certainly appreciate that Apple improved the camera in the iPhone 4 (5 megapixels; LED flash), but we've seen rumors that Sony is developing an even better 8-megapixel camera for the fifth-gen iPhone.
It's worth noting that as part of iOS 5, you'll be able to launch the camera app right from the lock screen, and the hard volume-up button on the side of the phone now becomes the shutter button while taking pictures. That's a big improvement.
Chance of implementation: 95 per cent.
*Dual-core processor
With Apple's acquisition of PA Semiconductor, it's started designing and churning out its own CPUs, including the new 1GHz A5 dual-core processor that's in the iPad 2. That same processor will almost assuredly make its way into the next iPhone. (The iPhone has an A4 processor that also runs at 1GHz, but the A4 has a single-core architecture).
It's worth mentioning that LG, Motorola, and others have already released dual-core Android phones.
Chance of implementation: 100 per cent
*Improved 3D graphics
The A4 CPU has a Imagination PowerVR graphics chip integrated into it. Like the iPhone 3GS, the iPhone 4 uses a PowerVR SGX535 chip. But the iPhone 5 will presumably get the PowerVR SGX543MP found in the iPad 2.
For those who keep track of this sort of stuff, a PowerVR SGX545 was also announced last year.
Chance of implementation: 95 per cent.
*Better battery life
Every time Apple puts out a new iPhone, the battery life gets better, so we expect no less from the fifth-generation iPhone. Apple says the iPhone 4 has 40 per cent more talk time than the iPhone 3GS. So, if the past is any indicator, we might see similar gains in next year's model, though Apple did not improve the iPad's battery life when moving to the A5 processor in the iPad 2 (many say it made it worse).
Chance of implementation: 80 per cent.
*An actual redesign
Rumours have been all over the map with the next-generation iPhone. Some reports suggest that the fifth-generation iPhone will actually be called the iPhone 4S and offer performance improvements (along with a better camera) but maintain the same design.
You'd hope that a true iPhone 5 would look different than an iPhone 4 and offer an improved design. Some say that Apple may mimic the design of the iPad 2. Or the company could even do two different models (an entry-level iPhone along with a standard higher-end model). We'll know soon enough.
Chance of implementation: 50 per cent.
- Via CNET.com.
Until Apple actually confirms or denies these rumours, we can't give any details on the phone itself … but here is a list of the top features we hope to see included in the iPhone 5.
Enhanced voice control
Apple didn't show off any new voice-control features as part of its iOS 5 preview. But rumour has it that those features weren't quite ready to be shown off at Apple's WWDC in June, so we may very well get them. We do expect that Apple will continue to flesh out the voice controls for the iPhone with significant enhancements. It would be cool to be able to compose and send e-mails or text messages by just using your voice, no?
In March, Apple finally announced support for full 720p or 1080i HD video output for the iPhone 4, iPod Touch 4G, and iPad 2. However, you need Apple's $39 Digital AV to send that HD video (audio) to a TV or monitor, whereas many Android-powered smartphones offer a built-in Micro-HDMI port that only requires an inexpensive $5 cable to run video to your TV.
Apple's recent announcement that it would be adding AirPlay mirroring as part of iOS 5 fueled hope that the feature would be available for the iPhone. In demos, Apple has shown the new feature working with the iPad 2, (what's on your iPad 2's screen is wirelessly streamed to an Apple TV connected to a TV), but it's quite possible that the next-generation iPhone will support AirPlay mirroring. Still, it's worth mentioning that Apple TV is an AU$129 accessory.
Chance of implementation: 2 per cent.
*Removable battery
This well-known rendering of a future iPhone dreams of a model with a removable battery. That appears to run counter to Apple's current design principles.
*Expandable memory
Not happening, but just thought we'd mention it.
Rumor has it that Apple may be working on adding near field communication technology (NFC) into the next iPhone. This is sort of a bar code replacement technology that would allow your iPhone — among other things — to act as a payment device (e-wallet) or even a car key.
Chance of implementation: 35 per cent.
*More memory
A lot of people were disappointed that the iPhone 4 didn't come in a 64GB version (only 16GB and 32GB). Maybe next year we'll get 64GB.
Chance of implementation: 50 per cent.
iPhone users have been waiting a long time for a more customisable home screen, with a real "dashboard" and a better, streamlined notifications system. Apple is delivering all that in OS 5, and though the new design may fall a little short for some folks, it's certainly a huge advancement. Of course, Android users will point out that these features, including customisable widgets, have long been available on Android smartphones.
Chance of implementation: 100 per cent.
In previous versions of this list, we've asked for this feature, and we'll now get it with iCloud in the fall. In some ways iCloud is more restrictive than Amazon's iDrive cloud storage solution, which allows you to store all your photos and videos (Apple's iCloud has not addressed video yet), but it's a big step forward, and the fact that you can mirror your iTunes music library (regardless of where you got your music) for US$25 a year is an enticing offer.
Chance of implementation: 100 per cent.
Currently, on the iPhone 4, FaceTime only works over Wi-Fi (yes, there are some workarounds to get it to work over 3G, but Apple doesn't officially support it). In iOS 5, doing FaceTime over a cellular data network is now part of the settings menu but it looks like the carriers have control over whether it's enabled.
Chance of implementation: 75 per cent.
Rumours continue to surface that Apple will be expanding the size of its iPhone screen to compete with the larger screens on Android smartphones.
From our polling on CNET, we've found that a clear majority of our readers want a larger screen. However, they don't want the iPhone to get any bigger or lose any battery life.
We're hoping Apple can come up with the right balance, but as you can see from this mock-up, going to 4 inches makes a significant difference and is probably the optimal size for a smartphone screen.
Chance of implementation: 50 per cent.
We certainly appreciate that Apple improved the camera in the iPhone 4 (5 megapixels; LED flash), but we've seen rumors that Sony is developing an even better 8-megapixel camera for the fifth-gen iPhone.
It's worth noting that as part of iOS 5, you'll be able to launch the camera app right from the lock screen, and the hard volume-up button on the side of the phone now becomes the shutter button while taking pictures. That's a big improvement.
Chance of implementation: 95 per cent.
With Apple's acquisition of PA Semiconductor, it's started designing and churning out its own CPUs, including the new 1GHz A5 dual-core processor that's in the iPad 2. That same processor will almost assuredly make its way into the next iPhone. (The iPhone has an A4 processor that also runs at 1GHz, but the A4 has a single-core architecture).
It's worth mentioning that LG, Motorola, and others have already released dual-core Android phones.
Chance of implementation: 100 per cent
*Improved 3D graphics
The A4 CPU has a Imagination PowerVR graphics chip integrated into it. Like the iPhone 3GS, the iPhone 4 uses a PowerVR SGX535 chip. But the iPhone 5 will presumably get the PowerVR SGX543MP found in the iPad 2.
For those who keep track of this sort of stuff, a PowerVR SGX545 was also announced last year.
Chance of implementation: 95 per cent.
Every time Apple puts out a new iPhone, the battery life gets better, so we expect no less from the fifth-generation iPhone. Apple says the iPhone 4 has 40 per cent more talk time than the iPhone 3GS. So, if the past is any indicator, we might see similar gains in next year's model, though Apple did not improve the iPad's battery life when moving to the A5 processor in the iPad 2 (many say it made it worse).
Chance of implementation: 80 per cent.
Rumours have been all over the map with the next-generation iPhone. Some reports suggest that the fifth-generation iPhone will actually be called the iPhone 4S and offer performance improvements (along with a better camera) but maintain the same design.
You'd hope that a true iPhone 5 would look different than an iPhone 4 and offer an improved design. Some say that Apple may mimic the design of the iPad 2. Or the company could even do two different models (an entry-level iPhone along with a standard higher-end model). We'll know soon enough.
Chance of implementation: 50 per cent.
- Via CNET.com.
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