When it comes to smartphones, each year the new iPhone release is welcomed with a significant amount of buzz online in print publications. Apple’s recent flagship handset surprised the industry with its impressive sales, despite predictions that it would struggle, according to the Telegraph.
While the iPhone 7 was impressive in its own right, industry experts foresee its successor to be “much bigger.” As Apple celebrates its smartphones 10th anniversary, BGR author Chris Smith says the iPhone 8 could be the first step to help the tech giant ‘great again’. The handset is said to feature technical specifications that are new to the industry.
There have been various rumours about the iPhone 8, but famed leaker Sonny Dickson revealed three essential features – IP68 certification, fast charging and the ‘tap to wake’.
1. IP68 certification
The iPhone 7 has already been categorised as a rugged smartphone, but Apple wants the iPhone 8 to be more than just splash-proof. Dickson said that multiple sources confirmed that the 2017 iPhone will feature an upgraded IP68 rating from its previous IP67 rating. Aside from being water and dust resistant, the handset will be able to withstand being submerged in water up to 1.5 metres for up to 30 minutes.
2. Fast charging
Another essential feature to watch out for is its fast charging capabilities. The upcoming Apple handset will have a new ‘Tristar 3, Hydra chip’ that manages the charging port. This particular chip allows for fast charging in most premium Android handsets.
“In normal people words… [it] will include fast charging,” Dickson explained. Just to reaffirm our original point!
Photo Credit: Martin uit Utrecht Flickr via Compfight cc
3. ‘Tap to wake’
Since Apple is working on catching up with Android rivals, they will finally include the ‘Tap to wake’ feature, or the action of being able to tap the screen of the handset to easily view notifications. Dickson said that it is “currently on the roadmap” for the new iPhone.
Other rumours (see: ‘iPhone 8 Rumour Roundup’) predict that it will feature an edge-to-edge screen, powerful processing chip (A11) and new design, which led many to believe that Apple may be working on a virtual reality-able iPhone.
Apple has been acquiring numerous startups that have specialist skills when it comes to VR, strengthening predictions by industry experts that the tech giant is developing their own head-mounted display.
The App Store now offers virtual reality games for iOS devices such as the Jurassic Virtual Reality (VR). Developed by Rabbit Mountain, the app is “like a time machine that takes you back in time” where players get to digitally experience what it feels to walk with dinosaurs in what can only be described as a journey through a safari in prehistoric times. The Rabbit Mountain game has a similar graphic experience to other commercial licensed Jurassic Park games. Although thus far, no others can match the fact that Rabbit Mountain have made the jump to Virtual Reality. Slots provider Spin Genie were one of the first to take advantage of the popularity of Jurassic Park following the release of Jurassic World movie in 2015. Now it seems the iPhone and VR in general, sees the franchise as the perfect platform to showcase the boundless possibilities available to the consumer market due to new innovations.
As the iPhone 8 becomes more suitable for virtual reality gaming, expect the increase in the number of VR games in the App Store soon.
The design is so killler! 😮