It’s that time of year again. Everyone in the world of the internet and technology is pulling at the pants of Apple, trying to figure out just what is going to be different about the next iPhone. It’s already known that it is certain to be released this year. In fact, many figures have said that August 7 looks to be the magic date. Don’t hold me to that though.
So what it is it that is going to make the iPhone 5 radically different from, say, the not-so-radically-different 4S. If Siri is involved at all, that might be an awkward relationship difficult to try and continue.
What is known about what to expect about the iPhone comes from various places, and this aims to sum up what everyone is saying so far.
1. Bigger Screen
Maybe it’s that they are trying to emulate the well-received user interaction that has been experienced with the iPad as much as possible, but one of the big rumors going around is the screen is going to be bigger. PC World is saying a four inch screen. As Karsten Strauss from Forbes.com accurately points out, this could mean a noticeable set back in regards to the release date. Currently the screen is at 3.5 inches, so a half-inch difference will mean a pretty significant change in the interaction.
2. Thinner. Much Thinner.
The Huffington Post reports from Reuters that the iPhone 5 could have a screen that is much thinner than the predecessor. Just how is this possible? You will have in-cell technology to thank for that. The technology takes away the layer that acts as the touch-screen, and instead lets the touch sensors integrate right into the LCD. One layer less means that you will have a thinner screen. The same report got a quote from a DisplaySearch analyst that claims the thinner screen could deliver an enhanced image.
3. New Mapping System Post-Google Breakup
When Apple abandoned the Google Maps integration with their products back in June, they quickly began developing their own, and that development could be found in the iPhone 5. The Atlantic Cities explains that this new software will be short of transit navigation that was a big part of Google Maps. Atlantic Cities also says that Apple is relying on other developers to take the place of transit information. Hopefully down the line, some apps will be specially developed for public transit users. Getting to Brooklyn Bowl by car? What car? Who needs those directions?
4. Dock Connector
Everyone seems to be talking about the new dock connector. Thanks to a report released by TechCrunch, the iPhone 5 will be coming out with a “mini” 19-pin connector, which could affect the devices people now use for their 30-pin iPad and iPhones. It isn’t clear what this change is about, but it will certainly be an inconvenience to users who have grown so close to their 30-pin ports.
So that’s all that really seems to be known right now. Surely if the rumored release date of August 7th is true, you might expect to be hearing a wave of new talks to be approach the web. I wouldn’t just start camping outside of the Apple Store just yet until we all know the full scoop.