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Smartphones are constantly evolving; with every new discovery, they become faster and more advanced. StudioThreeDots / Getty ImagesIt’s clear that smartphones are on the verge of becoming even more intelligent. In the mid-2000s, mobile phones could do only a fraction of what today’s smartphones can accomplish. Now, with the rapid pace of technological advancements, it’s certain that new features will soon be arriving to keep us even more glued to our beloved devices. Here are 12 features that you should be excited about.
12. Photonic Crystal Displays
While most modern smartphone screens can display a broad spectrum of vivid colors, they often struggle with adapting to different lighting conditions. Research and development are now focusing on photonic crystals as the solution to this problem.
Unlike traditional displays such as LCD or OLED, which emit bright light, photonic crystal displays feature nanostructures that adjust and change based on the surrounding light conditions. While the photonic screen requires an external light source to be visible, this could easily be integrated into the phone’s body, much like how e-readers such as the Kindle Paperwhite work.
To give you an idea of how close this technology is to becoming mainstream, major companies like Apple and Google have been heavily investing in photonics. Furthermore, in 2013, Samsung demonstrated a prototype of a flexible phone with a photonic crystal display. It’s likely that we’ll start seeing these displays in smartphones in the coming years.
11. Nano-Tech Batteries
In 2015, at the Mobile World Congress event, Israeli tech company StoreDot showcased a customized Samsung Galaxy S5 featuring a nano-tech battery capable of charging from 0 to 100 percent in under a minute.
The technology originated from research aimed at treating Alzheimer’s disease. During their studies, scientists discovered that peptide molecules, which are linked to the disease, have an incredibly high capacitance, making them ideal for use as miniature electrical storage units. The only drawback at this stage is that the StoreDot battery lasts only about two-thirds as long as a typical lithium-ion battery. However, with significant investment from Samsung, the company is working to refine the technology and is currently in talks with manufacturers to incorporate this battery into future smartphones.
10. Liquid Buttons
In the past, it was common for phones to have physical keyboards, and any device without one was considered behind the times. Today, however, the opposite is true—tactile keyboards are now seen as outdated. This trend is set to shift once again with the help of Tactus Technology, who have developed a keyboard that looks like something straight out of a futuristic sci-fi world.
This innovative keyboard uses microfluidic technology that channels small amounts of liquid into hidden pockets resting on the smartphone’s touchpad. When the user activates the touchscreen keyboard, these pockets fill with liquid, causing the buttons to physically rise. The technology is already featured in the Phorm case for iPad Mini, and it’s not far-fetched to envision it being integrated directly into future smartphones and tablets.
9. Headphone Surround Sound
Headphone surround sound has faced criticism in the past, but now audio developer DTS is aiming to change that with a 7.1 mobile audio solution for smartphones. This system promises to recreate the sound of specific listening environments, even with the simplest pair of headphones. While there’s still work to be done before it’s compatible with all types of media, the increased processing power of modern smartphones should support this leap in audio technology.
8. Biometric Authentication
While the iPhone 6 and Samsung Galaxy S6 use capacitive technology to read the ridges of your fingertips, this approach may not be the most secure. Its limited data points make it vulnerable to hacking. To improve security, Qualcomm has developed a new ultrasonic fingerprint scanner using a piezoelectric layer that generates ultrasound. This advanced scanner offers higher resolution and increased security by mapping your finger in more detail.
7. Virtual Reality
While virtual reality headsets like Oculus Rift, Playstation VR, and HTC Vive dominate the headlines, smartphone VR technology is often overlooked. However, the new 4K displays coming to smartphones in 2016 are perfectly suited for VR applications, making them a promising platform for immersive experiences.
When placed into a head-mounted device, the phone itself serves as the VR headset’s display, and with 4K resolution, it promises an immersive experience with no pixelation. However, this might not be entirely positive, considering how many of us are already deeply engrossed in our phones, often oblivious to the world around us.
6. Graphene
Since its practical development in 2004, graphene has earned the title of 'wonder material' within the electronics industry. It is incredibly thin, lightweight, flexible, transparent, and more than 200 times stronger than steel. Its excellent electrical conductivity makes it a top choice for use in electronic devices.
By incorporating graphene into smartphones, we could see designs that are ultra-thin, transparent, flexible, and nearly indestructible. Recently, phone manufacturers have made strides in integrating graphene, with Samsung’s Advanced Institute of Technology (SAIT) making significant progress by producing graphene that maintains its exceptional electrical properties—a challenge until now. This breakthrough could lead to the commercialization of flexible, transparent smartphone displays in the next few years.
5. No SIM Cards
Despite attempts to shrink the size of SIM cards, they still feel like outdated relics from the ’90s. Fortunately, both Apple and Samsung are leading the way in eliminating the physical SIM card by transitioning to an electronic version.
With a programmable SIM built into your device, you could seamlessly switch between network providers without the need for a new SIM card. This will be especially useful for those traveling or living abroad who need a local number. It’s anticipated that this technology could be rolled out in new smartphones as soon as next year.
4. Pressure-Sensitive Screens
Apple’s Force Touch technology, featured on the Apple Watch, has already proven that it’s possible to create screens that can detect pressure. These controls, which can tell the difference between a gentle tap and a firm press, will offer users more ways to interact with their devices, with clear benefits for gaming enthusiasts.
Alongside Apple, Samsung has also patented a similar technology called 'Touch Display Apparatus Sensing Force,' and in July 2015, ZTE introduced the ZTE Axon Mini, which incorporates a pressure-sensitive touch screen.
3. Flawless Voice Interaction
Voice interaction has existed for some time, with gradual advancements leading to virtual assistants like Apple’s Siri. However, this is only the beginning. The algorithms behind voice assistants are advancing rapidly, and soon, these systems could become so intuitive that they might offer advice that feels like it’s anticipating your thoughts. Hopefully, developers will remember Asimov’s three laws of robotics to prevent us from becoming subservient to our smartphones in the future.
2. Innovative Medical Apps
A recent breakthrough saw the development of Athelas, an app that uses a lens attachment to monitor the movement of malaria and cancerous cells in a patient’s blood. This innovation has sparked further exploration into how smartphones could help track other contagious diseases, like Ebola, to better understand their spread and behavior.
By using an affordable phone accessory called PCR, which can tag and track pathogens in the blood, diseases may soon be diagnosed within hours or even minutes. The data gathered would automatically sync to an online database for analysis by other researchers, opening up new possibilities for rapid diagnosis and disease management.
By combining this emerging technology with existing apps that track vital signs like blood pressure and heart rate, it’s clear that smartphones could soon revolutionize the way medical care is delivered.
1. Smart Cameras
In 2015, Qualcomm unveiled a camera capable of identifying objects in its view. This system works by comparing real-world objects to a large reference database stored directly on the device. Even more exciting, the software can be trained to recognize an expanding array of things, almost like teaching a young A.I. to understand the world.
This technology holds immense potential, allowing cameras to perform an array of intelligent, practical tasks tied to their surroundings. Google is also working on a similar deep search identification system through Google Photos. As camera technology continues to shrink and improve, this feature will likely become standard in future smartphones.
