It might seem I’m jumping the gun here… but this years (2013) release will be the 5-s. So if you were the designer, what would you stack-into the iPhone 6 ?
Here is my short list:
1: 3D camera
This is about to be done by the aftermarket folks anyway so why not design a good one right in there.
2: Beef-Up i/o interface
A more friendly and faster output i/o interface for the ability to connect more devices capable of controlling more things. What specifically… I’m not sure but I know many of the things I have tried to do, it is not fast enough if you have background apps running. The outside programmers will fill the void.
3: Faster processor
A quad core processor would handle the above problem if it is (1) faster and (2) uses only one of them for background tasks. So this would not change the speed of the app you are using (foreground) when something happens like you get email, text or a event announcement/alarm.
4: Video Output
Since the Oculus Rift will be out in 2014 (sometime), I would like to be able to view everything that would be on the display, on any video headset. Currently, I can only watch the video output of YouTube and personal movie clips. This could also add some privacy to what you are reading or working on.
If these smartphones are going to replace PC’s like everyone seems to think, they are going to need the ability to interface with outside hardware with a direct or wi-fi connection. So we will need much more memory to hold drivers for those devices. I really can not see the time when they will replace a PC because even if we get such a device that can do much more, the tech curve will change also for the PC and you just can not carry that much cutting edge power in your pocket. Try to edit a 20 minute 1080p video with your smartphone ! In a few years when they can, the standard will be twice that resolution and in 3D. Very hard for a pocket device to keep up with that tech curve.
It is only now that the average person who only needs to communicate can replace their PC with a SmartPhone.
Want to do more than that, You need a PC !
Of course, there is nothing like being ale to carry your favorite tunes with you and be able to play them over a blue-tooth enabled car stereo. It is not so novel when trying to do the same with documents or 3d printer files or cad drawings ????? You get the idea, it still can’t be everything to all. Just because you don’t need that does not mean that many other don’t.
In short, they will always be able to do more every year with a smartphone, but so will the PC in an even higher exponential !
Replace the PC…. I don’t think so. Only for those that don’t do much anyway.