Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s upcoming iPhone 6 may have a unique touch technology that incorporates built-in pressure sensors. The pressure sensors will work in-tandem with the touchscreen input to enhance the UI navigation, according to Apple’s patent published by the U.S Patent and Trademark Office Thursday. The patent is titled “Gesture and touch input detection through force sensing.”
The patent discusses the problems users face with current touchscreens. For example, if you swipe from the screen’s edge, it may not be recognized properly. And sometimes an unintended touch results in an action. If used in the iPhone 6, the technology uses three or more pressure sensors with the touchscreen to determine the central pressure points, helping the screen take the right action. The iPhone 6 may have the ability to determine whether one or more touches on the screen are accidental.
The iPhone 6 may also have a secondary mode of input because the pressure sensors can be positioned outside the touchscreen region. It will let users interact with the UI beyond the active touch region. Experts say the technology could appear in the iPhone 6 as well as the next-gen iPad.
Interchangeable lenses in iPhone 6?
Another patent filed by Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) indicates that the iPhone 6 may sport interchangeable lenses. Patent No. 8,638,369 is for a back panel that will have different camera lens options. The Cupertino-based tech giant has also won Patent No. 8,639,106, which is about magnetic add-on lenses. If these patents are used in the iPhone 6, the device will have an imaging subsystem with removable panel and optical components.
Apple aggressively preparing for iPhone 6 release
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is aggressively gearing up for the release of the iPhone 6. According to a correspondence with the U.S. Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) and the tech giant, Apple plans to start production at its recently purchased plant in Mesa, Arizona as soon as February. The facility will be producing sapphire glass, which is highly anticipated to be used in the iPhone 6.
The iPhone 6 is rumored to feature, along with a sapphire glass screen, an improved A8 processor, an enhanced Lytro-style camera, iOS 8, and most importantly, a bigger screen. Reports suggest that Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) will be launching the iPhone 6 in two sizes, one with 4.7-inch screen and another with 5.7-inch to challenge the Android devices.
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) shares plummeted 0.55% to $497.07 at 9:44 AM EST Friday.
