Future iPhone may detect when you are truckin' like the doodah man, offer video chat
Macrumors has a detailed breakdown of a couple of new iPhone patent applications, but here's the gist: Apple is looking at how to trigger events based on movements (or gestures), and one patent filing shows a front-facing video camera. The camera is easy -- there's your 2-way video chat (we hope). The motion stuff? Well, Apple could go in several directions with that.According to the indications in the patent filing, Apple is suggesting the interface on the iPhone could change under certain conditions. Specifically, contacts would get larger if you are running. That makes them easier to tap when you aren't able to be as accurate. This is just one example, but I think the more the iPhone can correctly guess the context of its use, the better. We were all a little excited when we saw the auto-orientation of (some) apps, and the relatively minor miracle of a proximity sensor which turns off the screen when you raise the phone to your face. The motion-sensing stuff takes this way beyond all that.
While this stuff won't likely make it into the next iPhone revision, it does show you where Apple is headed: more features, better usability. Although I do notice the power button seems to have moved to the right, away from the top. Will that be part of the next iPhone? There's mention of everything from a stylus to a scroll wheel (like BlackBerry), but I think that's just patent chatter (covering the bases, as it were). Here's a link to the patent filing.
[thanks to Alejandro for help in plumbing the patent filing]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Andy said 10:53AM on 4-16-2009
I am really looking forward to having the ability to video conference.. a camera in the front would almost certainly make that a reality....
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Robert said 11:17AM on 4-16-2009
Maybe they can beat Microsoft to the punch with this. Some rumored Windows Mobile 7 features leaked last year that has technology where you can control the phone through gestures. If they can beat Microsoft to market, they can claim they did it first and make Microsoft look like copy cats, again.
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tom said 1:43PM on 4-16-2009
So you're suggesting that Apple copy Microsoft to make it look like Microsoft copied Apple?
This comment epitomizes why Apple fans sometimes get a bad rap.
required said 4:46PM on 4-16-2009
The 2006 cellphone game 3D Tilt-a-World detects motion via a camera and is how you control the game: http://wireless.ign.com/articles/741/741844p1.html
Lee Webb said 11:31AM on 4-16-2009
Who the hell needs to use a phone when they're running? Sheesh.
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jonathan said 1:59PM on 4-16-2009
did u forget this was an iphone? i mean sometimes i do get call while running and need to answer, or im on the treadmill and need to make a quick call...but usually its for changing the songs im listening to or station in pandora, or playlist, etc.
remember not just a phone
Shunnabunich said 11:53AM on 4-16-2009
OK, you get to be the one who tells everyone to stand still before they can make a call. :)
Noah said 1:48PM on 4-16-2009
I think it's more about using the phone while in the car or on the train, where you might be jostled around.
required said 4:47PM on 4-16-2009
It could be nice to be able to more easily dial 911 when someone is chasing you with a chainsaw.
SquiggiE said 11:38AM on 4-16-2009
Ok, patent shows as filed in November of 2007. Lets get real here people.
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alex_dlc said 2:15PM on 4-16-2009
it says 2007 because this is filed under the whole iphone patents. but if you look, you will see it says april 16 2009. also, if you think this was written in 2007, why would the contacts app have the alphabet scrolling on the right?
alex_dlc said 2:28PM on 4-16-2009
lol, didnt mean to say that, sorry
modok said 12:00PM on 4-16-2009
a smart move would be to not drop a new iPhone this summer. get people to sign up still with the new features that 3.0 update will most likely do. then, next year when the contract with AT&T is wobbly drop a new model exclusive to AT&T. then if Verizon does become able to grab the iPhone it will seem "inferior" to the new AT&T version. makes sense. i mean, if the new model really has that many fantastic features, it's sure to make people still go to AT&T. no?
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JL said 1:54PM on 4-16-2009
What in the world ever became of Sweet Jane?
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Chris said 2:08PM on 4-16-2009
video conferencing on iphone + walking at same time= more people running into street lights and stop signs. :)
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motoxxbiker said 1:57PM on 4-17-2009
I love the fact that there is a Grateful Dead lyric in the title. It made my day.
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Toby said 7:33PM on 4-17-2009
About the motion-sensing, I am kind of not liking that. I mean, I'm sure it'd be able to tell what kind of motions (running, driving, etc.) through the use of the location of the phone (GPS) or with the accelerometer. As a person who drives for a living, I really don't want my phone making up its mind on if I can use it while I am moving.
**Note: I use my phone safely while driving, with handsfree bluetooth accessories, and follow all local laws in whichever jurisdiction I happen to be traveling through at the time.
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