Apple iPhone 6 Release Date and Features Round-up: Killer Features Include Smudge-Free Sapphire Glass and Transparent Texting
Apple has been investigating a new way to make lives of smartphone users easier. According to a recent patent sighting, the company will be including a transparent texting feature and smudge-free sapphire glass screen on the upcoming iPhone 6. The transparent feature will be usable with live video offering a more clever way of multi-tasking. Can the iPhone 6 be the killer it has been reported to be?
According to a report by Apple Insider, a new patent has been sighted describing the use of a "transparent texting" system. According to the patent, Apple proposed a technology that modifies the background of apps to show video images continuously as fed by the back camera. The patent application was published under the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Smartphones are usually used while on the go. The mobile nature of the devices prompts people to treat it as a staple device when traveling or moving. While being on the go is fine with calling, it may not be ideal for other tasks like texting or emailing. Users often find it hard to text while moving. On most cases, they have to stop and devote some time to the device to make sure they send out messages properly.
Apple wants to change that. The new system proposes app backgrounds to be customised to show a live feed of whatever the primary camera can see. This will create a transparent effect or at least the screen will appear more transparent. According to the patent filing:
"The camera can be a rear-facing camera on the device, so that the video images represent the views that the device's user would see if the device's display were transparent."
"The camera can continuously capture and present the video images as the background in the text messaging session, so that the device's user continuously can be aware of the environment beyond the device's display while still focusing on the text messages being communicated."
The proposed system is beneficial when users need to check their emails or read a book. The patent also adds that users can activate the feature through a button within the app button.
The smudge-free patent, on other hand, describes the use of oleophobic coating on sapphire. The coating can repel oil to prevent smudges or other marks on the screen.
According to a report by Barron's, UBS analyst Steve Milunovich indicated that Apple will have two iPhone versions, but only one will release around September. The 4.7-inch device will be released this fall, while the 5.5-inch device's release date remains a mystery.