It is that time again when you hop in your car, heading off to the mobile phone store to check out all the latest models of smartphones. On the way there, you are starting to get excited. Surely there will be some new revolutionary features to make buying that new smartphone an awesome experience like it used to be, right? Well, not exactly, because the smartphone industry has really not progressed much further in terms of innovative, new features. This is somewhat depressing, since flagship models of smartphones, such as the Samsung Galaxy and the Apple iPhone range in cost from $800 and up per unit cost. In fact, consumers are starting to wonder if the prospect of getting new smartphone features has reached its end or if smartphone manufacturers are simply holding back? To answer this question, it might be helpful to examine some smartphone features that have not been invented yet. Maybe then the smartphone industry will have fresh ideas to work with on their next release.
Smartphone Security Features
If you have ever had your smartphone stolen, it can sure ruin your week. Security features are a big area of interest for consumers. To this end, manufacturers should introduce stronger smartphone security measures for phone activation and use, such as using fingerprint and iris scans to act as OS authentication and completion code. This will make it near impossible for anyone other than the phone’s owner to activate and use the phone, being that the smartphone is dependent on highly unique personalized data to ensure continuous operation. Not only does the security measures need to be active to turn the phone on and access the OS, by introducing random bits of missing OS code before use is possible, but security measures should be installed that also interrogates the user to make sure it is the person to which the smartphone truly belongs. This way if a person steals your smartphone, but does not have the ability to produce the matching personalized security data, they will not be getting much use or profit out of your smartphone. This in turn should serve to deter mobile device thieves from wasting their time trying to steal a smartphone that would ultimately be useless to them.
Holographic Smartphones
The notion of holographic images popping out of a smartphone screen is an idea already under development. Though it may be some time before a truly revolutionary holographic smartphone model hits the market, it is still an idea that would truly excite smartphone users. To be able to see loved ones and friends images appear in mid air above a smartphone screen would change the nature of how phone calls are made in a fundamental way. It would also make it possible to view models of images by remote. This type of smartphone technology could also redefine how video games are played through the use of mobile devices. No longer would the extent of a game screen be limited to a physical screen. Rather, the ability to project images into larger open spaces would truly conform to a video game that could be played from any number of perspectives with relationship to the images being holographically mapped.
A Diagnostic and Control Port
For years people have bought devices that allow them to plug into their car to diagnose problems. In simple terms, a smartphone can be designed with a diagnostic port for making exactly the same type of connection. This port could also allow people to connect to all sorts of appliances and non-internet ready devices to troubleshoot and control their operation. In essence, this would move the smartphone closer and closer to making the famed tricorder on Star Trek a reality. An alternative to a physical port connection, however, would be to repeat this process through the use of NFC technology.
Foldability
Another long awaited feature for smartphones is the hope of being able to fold a smartphone to make it more compact when not in use. While foldability of smartphones will undoubtedly require a divergent screen design from current models, the concept is rumored to be on its way with 2017 Samsung models. As to precisely how manufacturers will pull this off without making noticeable seams and break points in the view screen is still unknown. Any hint of lines through the glass could potentially create a number of visually displeasing issues for consumers who spend a lot of time watching movies and videos on their smartphone.
Conclusion As 2016 pushes closer to 2017, rumors continue to mount that smartphone manufacturers will be introducing a variety of new features. From changes in physical design to improvements in performance and OS capabilities, the anticipation of feature rich smartphones will hopefully excite consumers and create a revival in the smartphone craze. If manufacturers are unable to deliver something genuinely fresh and new in smartphone technology, this may cause consumers to tend towards cheaper alternatives when choosing their next smartphone. This descent will be fueled by the low cost of competing smartphones which are becoming increasingly able to keep up with top brand flagship models.