The rumor mills are inundated with speculations regarding the launch of the purported iPad mini 2 and iPad 5. Tech gurus and fans have been sifting through realms and realms of leaks and conjectures pertaining to the specs and features of the popular tablets.
While the consumer market is assailed by a legion of tablets frequently, Apple devices are undoubtedly a class apart. We take a look at the top three killer features we want Apple to bring in iPad 5 and iPad mini 2, which would help the tech giant retain its iconic status.
1. Remote Gesture Controls
Apple could incorporate new motion detection features like the Air Gesture feature on the Galaxy S4, or the Leap Motion, or the new Kinect, in its impending iPad mini 2 and iPad 5. This feature first entered the mobile world with the Galaxy S4 and enables users to receive and/or reject calls, browse the Internet and images without physically touching the handset. Users can also navigate without tapping or swiping on the screen, when it works. If anyone could make that tech really work, it'd be Apple.
2. Wireless Charging
An iPad that packs in wireless charging capabilities would be a step forward for Apple. Considering quite a few smartphones already tout this ability, including the Nokia Lumia 920, an iPad mini 2 and iPad 5 with wireless charging would be welcomed by users. No more hassles of plugging in your tablet with wires!
Apple recently patented "integrated inductive charging in protective cover," whereby iPad Smart Covers would be equipped to charge the tablet wirelessly. Whether the smart covers make an appearance this fall alongside the iPad mini 2 and iPad 5 is anybody's guess.
3. Fingerprint Sensor
Rumor has it that the iPhone 5S will tout a fingerprint sensor which will make the smartphone more secure.
Apple was granted this patent by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in Oct. 2012, which has a two-step unlock screen process that imbibes a fingerprint reader to the bottom right corner of an iOS device. What's more, Apple acquired Florida-based AuthenTec in 2012 which is well-known for its fingerprint scanning technology, fueling speculation that the next-gen iDevice could tout biometrics-like security.
Apple could up the ante for rivals if it incorporates this technology in the impending iPad mini 2 and iPad 5. Imagine a fingerprint-enabled iPad! Apple could also take things a step further and deploy the rumored sapphire crystal capacitive-touch home button.
