What would constitute a revolutionary feature on a mobile phone?

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dmw16

Diamond Member
Nov 12, 2000
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Ok, this isn't meant to be an iPhone vs all thread, but it was inspired by a conversation I had with a coworker along those lines.

He criticized the iPhone for not being revolutionary anymore. And I agree, the 5 is very much an evolution of the 4S and the 4S an evolution of the 4, I just don't see what revolutionary feature is missing from my phone but possible in the bounds of current technology.

What are people expecting as far as revolutionary features?
 
zerocool84

zerocool84

Lifer
Nov 11, 2004
36,041
472
126
The new iPhone I believe is enough to keep current iPhone users happy but not enough to convince others to switch to it. They've definitely played it extremely safe these past two iPhone releases and it's done them fine but if they keep it going like this, it won't be good for them in the long run. I don't believe the revolutionary features come from hardware but from software and that's where Apple needs to eventually change.

http://www.theverge.com/2012/9/13/3323082/iphone-5-predictable-73-degrees-sunny
 
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Spoooon

Lifer
Mar 3, 2000
11,563
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One thing that might be revolutionary is a truly "global" phone, one phone that will work on any network or carrier in the US.
 
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Mr. Pedantic

Diamond Member
Feb 14, 2010
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dmw16 said:
Ok, this isn't meant to be an iPhone vs all thread, but it was inspired by a conversation I had with a coworker along those lines.

He criticized the iPhone for not being revolutionary anymore. And I agree, the 5 is very much an evolution of the 4S and the 4S an evolution of the 4, I just don't see what revolutionary feature is missing from my phone but possible in the bounds of current technology.

What are people expecting as far as revolutionary features?
Click to expand...

If people were expecting it, then it wouldn't really be revolutionary.
 
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Suspicious-Teach8788

Lifer
Feb 19, 2001
20,155
23
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Spoooon said:
One thing that might be revolutionary is a truly "global" phone, one phone that will work on any network or carrier in the US.
Click to expand...

it would be even more revolutionary if the US carriers got bitchslapped and someone standardized the global cellular network... kinda like 802.11 you know? I like how 2G=>3G=>4G is just getting more and more fragmented....

But on a serious note, adding video call in US carriers would be nice. This stuff was around forever on Nokia phones because it worked in Europe.

I dunno, I feel like we are at the limits. What is a smartphone though? It's supposed to give you PC-like functionality on a phone. We've achieved that with hardware, and while the performance isn't there, we'll get there. The rest is really up to software. You can add bells and whistles like IR/RF receivers so you can have a remote control, and NFC, but in the end it's just like what innovations have you seen in the laptop industry in the past 10 years. Almost nothing. The changes have been in form factor moving to ultrabooks, but a computer isn't going to suddenly do more. It's the software (web), and content online that changes how we use our computers. Instead of IM and email, it's now Facebook, Twitter, streaming media.
 
God Mode

God Mode

Platinum Member
Jul 2, 2005
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A flashlight with a hard toggle button. This is the feature I want most.

A microphone jack would be nice too.
 
RockinZ28

RockinZ28

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Mar 5, 2008
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A top of the line phone that costs $200-300 brand new off contract, and works with Verizon, ATT, Sprint T-Mobile :D.
 
shortylickens

shortylickens

No Lifer
Jul 15, 2003
80,287
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Laser keyboard. And/or projector.

Also, fuel cells that can go a LONG time. Theres work being done with micro-alcohol cells. I have no idea what kind of progress they are making.
 
cheezy321

cheezy321

Diamond Member
Dec 31, 2003
6,218
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Foldable Screens
Insane Battery life (1 week plus)
Wireless Charging

Cant think of anything else really
 
God Mode

God Mode

Platinum Member
Jul 2, 2005
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Built in solar panel on the back of the phone + whatever empty spaces on the front/sides.
 
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dmw16

Diamond Member
Nov 12, 2000
7,608
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NikolaeVarius said:
Theromdynamics would like a word with you.
Click to expand...

This is kosher within the bounds of thermodynamics. The system couldn't be 100% efficient, but recapturing waste heat is done in power generation systems. The SR-71 used its fuel as coolant before burning it in the engines, and the increased fuel temperature increased engine performance. And turbochargers on cars do similar with wasted exhaust gas.
 
God Mode

God Mode

Platinum Member
Jul 2, 2005
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dmw16 said:
That's seriously a feature you'd want?
Click to expand...

Realistically within current technology, yes. I have bad nightvision and rely on a small flashlight all the time. It would be one less thing to carry if my phone had one built in.
 
WelshBloke

WelshBloke

Lifer
Jan 12, 2005
32,911
11,047
136
A combination of NFC and wireless charging would be cool.

Just drop your phone on top of your stereo and it would start playing music.

Drop it on your desk and it opens your email and calender on your PC.
 
M

McWatt

Senior member
Feb 25, 2010
405
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Anubis said:
this

also some new battery tech that increases life by an order of magnitude
Click to expand...

Don't hold your breath for a step change in battery tech. Processor/transceiver/display efficiency is an easier target.

I agree though, improving battery life by a large factor would be revolutionary. I'd also suggest a major reception improvement or the ability to run x86 executables in a fluid, useful way. Maybe good voice control could make the grade too, but Apple and Google aren't remotely close to that.
 
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cl-scott

ASUS Support
Jul 5, 2012
457
0
0
Might be pushing the bounds for revolutionary a bit, but a touch display which can "blister" to represent things like buttons and on-screen controls. Sort of taking the Blackberry Storm screen idea to a logical conclusion.

It would also be cool to see a projected keyboard based on the doppler effect.

But something that would be truly revolutionary would be a true holographic display that can be projected into the air without the need for any kind of special containment. Or I suppose I could settle for something along the lines of focus-follows-mind so that the UI reacts to thought and I don't have to use my hands like a sucker.
 
Fingolfin269

Fingolfin269

Lifer
Feb 28, 2003
17,948
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I have to think that if we could ever get truly ridiculous battery life on a phone that the revolution would be present all around us.
 
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