I started compiling information for this article before the unveiling of the iPhone at MacWorld on Wednesday. As a result, I had to modify a couple nominations for the Top 5 Concept Add-on Ideas for the iPhone. Originally, this was supposed to be for the iPod, but I think its best suited for the iPhone now. There’s no doubt that Apple’s new iPhone comes with spectacular features and functions. Nonetheless, here are concepts some people and iPod Legends would like to see in the next generation iPhone. Let’s start with #5.
5) Commercial GPS, an ever expanding market that’s becoming more popular every day. Finding your way around has never been easier. Now that we have an all-seeing eye guiding us, it’s almost impossible to get lost. Thus, commercial GPS on the iPhone would be extremely practical and is our #5 nomination. (Image courtesy of NASA)
4) Coming in at #4 is voice recognition. Two things come to my mind: 1. Note Taking, and 2. Universal Translator. These two options will probably be most popular among those who travel for business a lot, but still will hold useful options for the majority. Note taking by voice will cut the slow speed of writing or typing while still giving you an electronic copy of your notes. Next, the universal translator eliminates the need for a human translator or carrying a bulky dictionary.
3) The ability to receive and send a TV signal or FM/AM signal wirelessly from the iPhone will be our third nomination. Beef up the iPhone with this feature and you can be watching and listening your favorite shows and music anywhere with a TV or stereo, and could easily be integrated with the just-unveiled Apple TV device.
2) #2 on the list is a little farfetched, but it was too cool to pass up. A portable projector small enough to fit into your pocket has not yet been invented. However, once this technology is developed, combining a portable projector with the iPhone would make the iPhone worthy to be called an all-in-one device. A portable projector small enough to fit into your pocket….. I must be dreaming.
1) Last, but perhaps the most practical, feasible, and possible concept is a credit card. No, no, I don’t mean the flimsy plastic thing, I mean the iPhone! Imagine going to a store and swiping your phone to pay for your purchase. Actually, you don’t have to imagine. In fact, in some places in Japan, the phone is being used to pay for daily goods by utilizing RFID tags. Some normal plastic credit cards in the US are even using RFID tags to “wave” the card rather than swipe it. It may just be the next big thing…. (Image courtesy of Microsoft Clipart)
There you have it. Our Top 5 Concept Add-on Ideas for the next generation iPhone. Imagine it, and embrace it! ‘cuz these concepts will be in your hands in no time!
What do you think? Have suggestions? Comment below.
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17 responses so far ↓
1 Kepler // Feb 1, 2007 at 12:16 am
Clever ideas, and I think the built-in GPS would be most likely (by the 3rd Gen iPhone, my guess). A VR note-taking program would be pretty useful, but a universal translator is still relatively far from being developed and perfected. Forget it being implemented into an iPhone; a universal translator just being advanced enough to be able to replace a translator would be a breakthrough in its own right.
The mini-projector is in development. http://www.engadget.com/2006/02/13/new-pvpro-mini-projector-has-no-moving-parts/
2 Kuo // Feb 5, 2007 at 2:55 am
Wow, awesome, never knew that the mini-projector was already in development.
3 Peter // Jun 19, 2007 at 9:56 am
Concept #2 is already here: http://www.mitsubishi-presentations.com/products/projectors/PK20.html.
You can carry it in their overcoat pocket. Well, it will fit in a big pocket.
4 mike // Jul 1, 2007 at 8:52 pm
I really think the next generation iphone will have the camera facing the viewer. Just like the built in isight cams in current macs, this will integrate with a phone version of iChat to deliver real live video chat right to your phone. Think about it, this should be very easy to manufacture into the iphone, and would change the way we communicate forever. I don’t even think this is beyond feasible. Sure the transmitting infastructure might need to evolve but this could be the key to Apple’s future plans. Video chatting/talking with the iPhone.
5 Carl // Jul 17, 2007 at 12:06 pm
FYI: Belgian banks have joined forces and developed a prtocol to use mobile phones as debit cards! This service is currently being rolled out.
6 Christopher Blubaugh // Sep 6, 2007 at 5:06 pm
Seems like good suggestions. Some a little more far reaching than others. I noticed one obvious omission though…3G. The iPhone NEEDS to be 3G WWAN capable.
7 Danielle and Chris // Jan 2, 2008 at 9:39 am
My friend is a speech therapist. She just got the iphone for xmas. It’s incredible! In her line of work, Danielle works with individuals who are physycally constrained and unable to formulate pronunciations or vocals all together. This iphone would be able to help so many people if it were to have programming available to speak for the person as words/phrases were chosen or typed. I don’t know if this is available for such a compact item but, the technology could be increasingly helpful for a number of people!
8 SweetTown // Feb 6, 2008 at 1:54 am
The pocket mini projector was my favorite of the current top five. Maybe, it is asking a lot to hope for a mini projector that could project a 19inch widescreen or larger.
My hope is to see a future generation IPhone that could be inserted into or interfaced with a home entertainment projector or HDTV.
9 SweetTown // Feb 6, 2008 at 2:17 am
I have an old navigation system in my car 2004. Not biting to hard, I’ll hold out to replace it until I see a system with features and design more like the IPhone.
What would make me happy would be to have the IPhone link to a larger iphone version touch screen display, say 7inch in my car with voice, xlator, GPS, Handsfree, Bluetooth, etc.
10 Greg // Feb 25, 2008 at 3:07 pm
I agree with mike on the videochat idea. Totally feasible. I also like the projector idea, but I think it would be amazing to have a tiny wireless hand held device to go with it, contolling a mouse cursor (minority report, anyone?).
11 dbrowne // Mar 30, 2008 at 11:30 pm
Providing a translator would do wonders for the world. Imagine talking into your iphone and having it change your words into the language of choice, Hey! What about recording video? dozens of other phones have it. Now…Video chatting would change the face of the cellphone world….something I know apple is trying to do. I would love an AM/FM receiver . TV would be a plus. Verizon has that already.
12 Dcola // Jan 1, 2009 at 10:50 pm
The iphone really needs flash player, a better camera, an integrated radio/ TV to be able to record videos, to be able to download ringtones/music over the cellular network, and send video and picture messages like a normal phone.
13 Dcola // Jan 1, 2009 at 10:52 pm
And maybe for it to be used like a flash drive so somebody can easily transport files from their computers.
14 Lesbiche // Jan 26, 2009 at 11:32 am
Nice site you have!
15 Rick // Feb 4, 2009 at 7:28 pm
The one thing that I would love to see on the iPhone is dual cameras. The first camera would be the one that is currently on the phone (except with video capabilities, of course). However, the second camera would be an isight camera on the face of the phone, to allow for video conferencing through AIM, Skype, etc. I believe this is the future of cell phones. We have a phone that can understand what song is playing when held to a speaker, so why shouldn’t we be able to video chat on the same device. This would truly make people’s lives mobile.
16 lieben // Mar 6, 2009 at 7:28 am
Interessante Informationen.
17 admin // Jul 20, 2009 at 4:27 pm
:D
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