Apple’s iPhone 7 could be a game-changer. Recently leaked photos of the new iPhone confirmed it will have an “edgeless” display, meaning its design could be radically different from past iPhones. But the implementation of a curved screen isn’t just an aesthetic choice; it could change the way Apple users view and interact with notifications.
If Samsung’s curved screens are anything to base the new iPhone off of, notifications would now be displayed on the side of the phone rather than the front. Taking that one step further, users might now have a wider and more touch-friendly screen for viewing their phone’s most important events and notifications.
Forbesgot the goods on this new iPhone, and offered some insight as to why Apple didn’t make significant design changes on previous-generation phones.
“At a meeting with an Apple executive last month, one of the company’s China-based engineers asked why this year’s model lacked a major design change in keeping with Apple’s usual two-year cycle. The answer, one person at the meeting recalled, was that the new technology in the pipeline will take time to implement.”
This seems to ring true for most tech companies, but especially Apple. Once every several years, the company makes an amazing leap forward that changes the face of smartphone tech. Curved screen iPhones could be the next Great Leap Forward for the tech titan.
Right now, events surrounding the new iPhone’s release date are still murky. Apple usually debuts a new iPhone around September. However, the company’s production schedule recently changed, which could mean the new smartphone will be delayed or even launched earlier than usual.
The new operating system, iOS 10, is also on its way down the pipeline, and the iPhone 7 will likely run the new firmware. As a system, iOS 10 has a slew of new features, including the ability to “handwrite” text messages, quick responses to iMessages, and better integration between Siri and iPhone Apps. A curved display will also help the new iPhone 7 stand out from its predecessors, and possibly gain a leg up over competitors as well.
Another huge new design change will be coming to the iPhone 7also: no home button. BGRdiscovered that Apple plans to do away with pretty much all physical buttons on the device, instead integrating them underthe phone’s display. Whether that means more accuracy or a user’s worst nightmare is yet to be seen.
Apple has been accused of ripping off competitors’ features and functions for a while now, so they’ll really need a knockout if they want to amaze. It seems the company knows this on some level, which could be the reasoning behind some of the newer design changes. Rumor has it that earbuds will also become a thing of the past on new model phones as well. If you’re a music lover, though, you needn’t worry; the theory is that earbuds will connect to your phone using the lightning charger port (not sure if creative or ridiculous).
From the looks of it, the curved display will also change a few other things as well. For instance, buttons like volume control and the power button (which were formerly physical buttons) will now be relegated to digital touch points on screen.
[Image via Honou | Flickr | cropped and resized | CC BY 2.0 ]
