The ever-changing and burgeoning smartphone space continues to evolve, bringing in its folds, a wave of technological innovations and novel features.
We take a look at five features consumers can look forward to in future smartphones.
1. Built-in Projector
This feature is yet to gain mass popularity and become synonymous with the current lot of smartphones. Having an integrated projector in the smartphone has immense possibilities and this feature is already available in some smartphones that are available in the market.
The Samsung Galaxy Beam, released in 2012, is one such smartphone. It has a built-in Digital Light Projection (DLP) WVGA projector, which can project images that are up to 50 inches in size at 15 lumens.
The possibilities of a built-in projector are immense. For instance, one can turn their smartphone into an interactive gaming console, negating the need for a TV screen. The option would make it easier for smartphone users who use their device for business purposes. Imagine if the smartphone had a projector then you could simply beam your presentations directly from the handset. No need to carry bulky laptops/tablets and other peripherals.
2. Flexible Screens
Samsung showed off it "Youm" flexible display at the International CES held in January this year. Several prototypes, including concepts for the iPhone 6 and Galaxy Note 3 have emerged online, which tout a flexible display.
Thanks to the Organic Light-Emitting Diode (OLED) technology, smartphone screens would be capable of being folded and unfolded. This wafer-thin screen apparently has the ability to even project images from both sides of the screen as shown in this this concept smartphone by Ikev.
3. Wireless Charging
Currently, Nokia's Lumia 920 packs in the Qi standard for built-in wireless charging. Recently, Samsung launched its Galaxy S4, which also has wireless charging support.
Soon the wireless charging feature will become quite common in future smartphones, negating the need to connect your device to a charger with cables. Users will be able to wirelessly charge their smartphone anywhere with ease.
4. Fingerprint Sensor
As smartphones get feature-rich, it follows that the security features on the devices become more stringent as well. Rumor has it that the upcoming next-gen iPhone will feature a fingerprint sensor.
The inclusion of this biometrics-like feature would ensure that only the owner has access to the smartphone.
Several major smartphone makers like Samsung and Apple are believed to have patents for this technology. It will be interesting to see who wins the race and releases the first fingerprint sensor-sensitive smartphone.
5. 3D Camera
With smartphones becoming smarter and smarter, it comes as no surprise that cameras too are seeing enormous improvements (like the dual shot feature in the Galaxy S4). 2D cameras will soon become a thing of the past and be replaced by 3D.
Currently, the HTC EVO 3D is capable of capturing 3D images, as well as videos. Users can also view movies and photos on the handset's glasses-free 3D screen. Moreover, LG too has a 3D smartphone - the LG Thrill, which can take 3D photos and videos. The LG Thrill too has a glasses-free 3D display.
It is likely that future smartphones will imbibe this feature as well.
