NEWS ANALYSIS: Now that the new iPad is out, it’s time to start thinking about the next big Apple release, the iPhone 5. Can Apple borrow some ideas from the latest iPad to use with the upcoming iPhone?
Apple's new iPad hasn't even
been on store shelves for a week and the company is already claiming sales of 3
million units. While consumers flock to the tablet formerly known as iPad 3,
the rest of the media rumor mill has already moved on to speculating about the
next big thing from Apple: iPhone 5.
Of course, based on recent
experience, theres no reason to think iPhone 5 is actually what Apple will
call its next smartphone. Whatever the name, there are a host of features in
the new iPad that would easily make the next iPhone more appealing than its
predecessors.
4G Long-Term Evolution (LTE)
connectivity is chief among these, of course. The high-speed wireless
communications protocol is available in the United States from AT&T and
Verizon. Other nifty features of the new iPad: The advanced processor offered
by the new iPad, as well as the vastly improved new Retina Display. These are
among the top 10 features wed like to see in the new iPhone.
1. 4G LTE
iPhone 4S lacks 4G LTE
wireless connectivityas does all its iPhone predecessors. In January 2011,
Apple expressed reservations about accommodating the 4G LTE antenna in a small
form factor such as the iPhone. However, a lot has changed since then. Not only
has 4G LTE made its way to Apple's new iPad, but Verizon and AT&T have been
rapidly expanding the reach of their high-speed networks. The improved download
speeds offered by the next-gen wireless network, combined with the iPads
powerful new processor, results in what
Wall Street Journal critic Walter Mossberg describes as a buttery
smooth user experience. One can only assume that Apple will fast-track to
resolve any antenna challenges so it can bring 4G to its next iPhone.
2. A5X processor
Although Apple has been
rumored to be working on the quad-core A6 processor, the company didn't deliver
that in the new iPad. Apple has typically introduced its next-gen iPhone
processors in the iPad first. While the A5X doesnt have a direct impact on
apps that are dependent on the Internet,
activities that are
processor-driven are noticeably faster.
3. Aluminum back
Years ago, Apple offered an
iPhone that came with an aluminum back. Later versions have offered a mostly
glass finish. Given how well-received the new iPad's design has been so far, an
aluminum backing could make a nice differentiator for the next iPhone.
4. Improved Display
Although Apple stuck with
the 9.7-inch display size for its new iPad, its new Retina Display features
four times more pixels than the iPad 2. While
wed
like to see the next iPhone offer a display thats larger than the current
3.5-inch option, equally important is the crisp resolution that the Retina
Display can offer.
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