The Future of Smartphones

Current Technologies

We have seen the emergence of iPhone in 2007 till the current smartphones we have in our wallet.  These mobile devices have transformed our lifestyle and habits and it is hard to imagine how we can communicate without them.

Some predicted smartphones will be gone in 5 years from now as Internet of Things (IoTs) are replacing how things are talking to each other smartly.  Who will chart the future of smartphones?  Before these visions become reality, what are the things you wish to have in the immediate tomorrow?

Immediate Promises

1. Charging Issues
   During the era of Nokia, this single company itself cannot make a consistent charging port.  Apple shows the same sign when it introduced an upgraded charging port for iPhone 6. Android has embraced USB3.1 Type C as the next standard to phrase out the older USB 2.0 charging port.  Physical contact promises fast or quick charge which is badly needed by heavy duty smartphones as more and consistent current is delivered.  Contactless charging is emerging but acceptance is slow due to the long charge duration.
2. Longer Battery Life
   Many have come out innovative ideas of how to make battery last longer.  One Oppo phone cheated by placing two batteries inside a phone and claimed "5 minutes charging to talk for 2 hours".  The constraint is a special charger which can only use for this phone.  On a daily basis, applications are main causes for battery draining and the battery itself are purposely made small so it is presented light to the user.  If you uninstall Facebook App, study has found that you can extend battery life by 20%.  If you like your Facebook so much, you should look into higher capacity battery (6000 mAh and above) instead of fanciful features (curve?) of your next smartphone.  Unfortunately, battery technology is stagnant unless we can move beyond Li-on or Li-Polymer without any adverse dangers of explosion and heat.
3. Contactless Payment
   Near Field Communication, HotKnox and Bluetooth are the common transfer techniques used.  They demonstrated the ease of data exchange with reasonable speed.  However, moving forward to financial payment are dragged down by the security concerns.  In fact, having these features on will make stealing of data possible.
4. Fingerprint Recognition
   It is the defacto requirements for 2016 as we are anticipating the loss of our phones via theft or robbery.  Protection of personal data and information become an essential instead of a desired feature.  Swiping and password are too simple means to lock the phone and using biological identity makes unlocking harder.  Premium of S$100 is required from users who are dying for such protection.
5. Ear Piece
   Frankly, connecting a ear piece makes the phone less smart.  With wireless bluetooth, ear piece should be obsoleted long ago.  It will make the phone more resistant to water and weather by hiding the 3.5" audio port.

Future Promises

1. Display Technology
   After you have your 5.5" screen, it is hard to imagine going back to your 3.5".  For the current generation of users, they will have serious health issues with their neck, eyes and fingers due to overtaxing their joints for long hours.  Display technology can improve how we see and use the device ergonomically.  Prototype of projection and paper thin displays are available pending the reduction of mass production costs.  But the essence lies in the time spent in using the phone instead of how we use it.  It is the duration that kill.
2. Connecting to IoTs
   IoT is no longer a futuristic term as many are having smart homes as the ultimate goals. We are using bracelets, rings and watches to monitor our health and movement.  Governments are integrating essential services with IoTs to bring forward the concept of smarter nation.  Beside of challenge of good software, the challenge is to lower the cost of IoTs so that it can be incorporated into daily accessories and devices with wireless security in check.  In fact, some predicted that IoTs will completely replace smartphone as the communication elements in smartphone can be integrated with IoTs to provide a hands-free experience.

The Essential

It is nice to have the latest technologies for future proof.  At the same time, you have to know what do you need most.  More often than not, consumers are blindly following the masses and bought phones which have tons of feature with a limited battery capacity (Remember iPhone 5?).  Will you pay for a $800 wireless charging phone (5 hours charging time) over a budget $200 basic phone (2 hours charging time)?  "Never!", you shouted.  The next day, you fall into the same trap when your friends are all carrying the same flagship product.