The next iPhone could possibly react to surroundings

The rumour mills keep churning about the next iPhone. Among the biggest sources of these rumours are the patents that Apple files. According to Into Mobile, Apple has recently filed a patent that essentially allows an iPhone to think for itself. The new patent would allow devices to react to the location of the phone. For example, if you are in a movie theatre, your phone would automatically dim the backlights, and go into silent mode.

According to the patent, there can be many uses of the feature. An example it quoted was "to disable noise and/ or light emanating from wireless devices (such as at a movie theater)”. Another example was that of academic settings. The feature would prevent the device from communicating with other wireless devices. Another one of the possible features is to force the device into sleep mode when entering a “sensitive area”.

Apple filed a patent for location sensitive devices

We had earlier reported that the next iPhone would not have NFC capabilities. Anand Tech authors Brian Klug and Anand Lal Shimpi have stated, “The most recent rumor is that this mysterious square chip (occluded by an EMI can) is an NFC combo controller and antenna, based purely on its square dimensions. Given the primarily metal backside of the new iPhone, it's highly unlikely that NFC is in the cards for this generation. In fact, given the very little space at top and bottom dedicated to those glass RF windows, you can almost entirely rule it out”.

Apple is expected to launch the iPhone on 21 September after unveiling it on the 12th of the same month. This handset is easily one of the most awaited upcoming devices of the year. Like in the past, there will be queues outside stores with eager customers wanting to purchase the handset on the first day itself.

The change in design is a likely indicator that may propel Apple to reach high sales figures. One of the biggest changes expected in the next flagship handset of Apple is that it will come equipped with a display measuring 4 inches diagonally.

If Apple adds such a display to its next iPhone, then this will be the first time it uses a display size larger than 3.5 inches. The screen size of the iPhone has remained the same since it was first launched. The resolution of the next iPhone is believed to be 1136 x 640, with the width remaining the same.

As for the display technology of the next iPhone, it is believed that Apple will incorporate a new technology called in-cell, which will help in making the handset a lot slimmer. This will help in avoiding the need to use another touchscreen layer. With in-cell technology; the touch sensors are integrated into the LCD.

Read more about the next iPhone here.