With Apple currently on the defensive against the Samsung Galaxy S4, it may be a while before we see the newest smartphone from Cupertino, but already leaks and rumours are coming out about the iPhone 5S features.
The S series of iPhone’s has always been tailored to a minor software upgrade and some refinements in the design of the smartphone, but nothing too drastic. We have see the iPhone 3S and 4S both not move away from the predecessor design.
We believe Apple will continue this with the iPhone 5S, the “tick tock” idea as many technology writers have taken to calling it. Due to most carriers locking you onto a two year contract, it would seem unfair to completely change the design of the smartphone for the next year.
Some of the new features on the iPhone 5S could include near field communication, or NFC as it is commonly abbreviated. This will allow users to transact with their iPhone and apps like Bump will change from WiFi to NFC.
This will also progress the Passbook app to another level, as many places like Starbucks now accept phone wallets. We expect Apple didn’t want to ship this out, but now, with the mainstream move, they may see the pros of a move into NFC.
According to the same report, the iPhone 5S will also get fingerprint sensors for added security when unlocking the screen. Apple did acquire Athentec a few months ago, this may be the reasoning behind the purchase.
The fingerprint sensor will apparently be a setting you can turn off and on once you have unlocked the device. It will allow you to fingerprint your phone to unlock, and the sensor will only respond to your fingerprint. Authentec were one of the leading providers in mobile security.
The iPhone 5S is expected to land sometime in August, with the iPhone 6 turning up in Q1 2014. Apple is starting to bring new products nine-months after the last one, which is awful for people on two year contracts, but is good for the big Apple fans that will kill for the latest iPhone.
