Apple's 'iPhone 7' again rumored to feature 'Force Touch ID' home button
Rumors surrounding Apple's "iPhone 7" are flying in fast and furious as September quickly approaches, with a report on Tuesday claiming the next-generation handset will replace the mechanical home button with a capacitive Force Touch version.
Citing "field checks," analysts at Cowen and Company claim Apple plans to ditch traditional Touch ID home button designs in favor of a solid state capacitive component, reports Business Insider. Although the investment firm is not known to have sources inside Apple's supply chain, previous -- highly questionable -- rumors and parts "leaks" suggest the same for "iPhone 7."
In March, supposed spy shots reached the web showing what appears to be an unreleased iPhone model missing both a home button and headphone jack. A report from DigiTimes relayed a similar rumor one month later, adding that Apple's next-generation smartphone would also feature full water and dust proofing.
It is unclear how Apple expects to integrate a capacitive home button into its hardware lineup, though it can be speculated that a final product might use iPhone's Taptic Engine haptic feedback system to mimic the feel of pressing a mechanical actuator. In addition to existing technology, the company is investigating a type of solid state "Force Touch ID" module capable of sensing finger pressure while at the same time offering fingerprint authentication services.
Given that Apple suppliers are already ramping up production for this year's iPhone model, and assuming the company does indeed intend to eschew mechanical buttons for capacitive or similar technology, it is perhaps more likely that a touch sensitive home button will show up in next year's model. Bucking the usual tick-tock upgrade cycle, Apple reportedly skipped a massive redesign for 2016 as it waits for technology to mature.
Notably, reports indicate the 2017 iPhone will be completely revamped with dual curved glass panels and an OLED display. Also rumored for inclusion is an advanced haptic engine capable of complex feedback, technology that would go a long way in implementing the touch sensitive home button described today.
Apple is expected to debut a next-generation handset this fall alongside a public release of iOS 10. The most recent rumors suggest minor aesthetic changes owing to enlarged camera systems -- dual-lens for the larger 5.5-inch model -- and a darker Space Gray color option.
Citing "field checks," analysts at Cowen and Company claim Apple plans to ditch traditional Touch ID home button designs in favor of a solid state capacitive component, reports Business Insider. Although the investment firm is not known to have sources inside Apple's supply chain, previous -- highly questionable -- rumors and parts "leaks" suggest the same for "iPhone 7."
In March, supposed spy shots reached the web showing what appears to be an unreleased iPhone model missing both a home button and headphone jack. A report from DigiTimes relayed a similar rumor one month later, adding that Apple's next-generation smartphone would also feature full water and dust proofing.
It is unclear how Apple expects to integrate a capacitive home button into its hardware lineup, though it can be speculated that a final product might use iPhone's Taptic Engine haptic feedback system to mimic the feel of pressing a mechanical actuator. In addition to existing technology, the company is investigating a type of solid state "Force Touch ID" module capable of sensing finger pressure while at the same time offering fingerprint authentication services.
Given that Apple suppliers are already ramping up production for this year's iPhone model, and assuming the company does indeed intend to eschew mechanical buttons for capacitive or similar technology, it is perhaps more likely that a touch sensitive home button will show up in next year's model. Bucking the usual tick-tock upgrade cycle, Apple reportedly skipped a massive redesign for 2016 as it waits for technology to mature.
Notably, reports indicate the 2017 iPhone will be completely revamped with dual curved glass panels and an OLED display. Also rumored for inclusion is an advanced haptic engine capable of complex feedback, technology that would go a long way in implementing the touch sensitive home button described today.
Apple is expected to debut a next-generation handset this fall alongside a public release of iOS 10. The most recent rumors suggest minor aesthetic changes owing to enlarged camera systems -- dual-lens for the larger 5.5-inch model -- and a darker Space Gray color option.
Comments
I wonder if Apple will do a special 10th Anniversary Edition of the iPhone next year.
Moving to Lightning-only isn't just for better sound, although the vast majority of bloggers tend to focus on this specific point. Think on-ear biometrics.
http://macdailynews.com/2016/0...
"Apple’s U.S. Patent No. 8,655,004: “Sports monitoring system for headphones, earbuds and/or headsets.”"
With wearables about to become a major category in the Apple ecosystem, this is bigger than just improved sound.
http://appleinsider.com/articles/14/02/18/apple-patents-sensor-packed-health-monitoring-headphones-with-head-gesture-control
Before the 6S came out, 30% upgrade to the 6 by existing iPhone users would have been respectable. Then after the 6S entered the market, more people would have to have continued buying the one year old 6 for it to just maintain 30% share against an ever-growing base. So 30% for the 6 is not a bad level.
On the headphone jack, I suspect there might have been an even more energetic resistance to Apple's dropping of the 3.5" floppy drive, had the general public been aware in the year prior to Apple shipping a PC without one, and had we had an Internet to share our resistance. And yet, looking back we see that Apple was correctly pointing the way to a future all other PC makers joined.
The headphone jack IS going way eventually, either this year or sometime in the future. Freaking deal with it already.
It's not really a bad argument. You're right, the phone already has the lightning port. The capabilities already exist, so where's the revolution in tech to switch to the earphones and headphones and wearables to lightning? There is none! Proof. The only effect from this is inconvenience. Zero benefits. Right?
Well. The lightning accessories do exist. But are rare. Why? Because you have one port that costs $1 to design for, and another port that cost $4 to design for. The business side of the majority of ppl says "uhhm I have two ports to chose from to make my audio device? yeah stick with $1 and increase margins and profits." The 3.5mm jack has been around for decades, costs have been low to design for. Only few companies make lighting headphones.
Removing the 3.5mm jack forces the industry to move past the jack. The same with any legacy tech.
In summary, the reason they're removing the 3.5mm jack, although the benefits currently exist as the lightning port is already on the phone, is that the removal incentivizes the industry to forgo the 3.5mm jack and adopt the newer tech and its benefits. Also, I guess it helps free up more room inside the phone to do whatever it is that Apple would like to do. I'm sure they want to capitalize on the benefits of that freed up real-estate, and they think the industry and the state of technology is ready for that change. It probably wasn't ready 5 years ago even though it would've been useful to have that freed-up space long ago.
http://www.trustedreviews.com/opinions/why-android-l-wants-to-make-your-headphones-obsolete
Read that kool article from 2014. Android phones were probably waiting on USB-C to get rid of their 3.5mm jack as well. It was "possible" to have digital audio through USB and miniUSB and microUSB, but apparently the forecasted USB-C was so much better it was worth waiting for. Plus, Apple benefits highly from a change to their proprietary Lightning port; while Android based manufacturers don't benefit by removing their 3.5mm jack and adopt USB-C because none of them "owns" USB-C and stands to profit from the switch. BUT, I'd bet money that Samsung/HTC/Nexus/LG/etc. will remove their 3.5mm jack after Apple does it. Obvious I don't know for sure, but that's what I'd bet.
The change is coming and has been coming.