Our eyes are on the iPhone 13 and its scheduled release in the coming months, but we've seen some crazy rumors about features that could be coming on the iPhone 14 or future Apple phones, with the latest one suggesting we could control an iPhone. for blowing on it. The feature, which could also appear on a future Apple Watch, is described in a new patent as technology that detects "knock events" to switch between different software modes and potentially navigate a user interface. The technology detects changes in pressure beyond a certain threshold and, combined with a motion sensor, determines if a user is intentionally blowing into their device (or if it's just unintentional wind from a user pumping their arms during a run, we assume) . The patent description suggests the feature would help iPhone or Apple Watch users, since they have to hold or carry such Apple devices in or with one hand, the blower controls could complement or potentially replace use of the other hand. . In short: sounds like another great way to control your device, but it could also be an accessibility feature.
Analysis: iPhone patents are a plethora of new ideas that may never materialize
It wouldn't be surprising if hit detection was never built into an iPhone, simply because of the nature of patents and their uncertainty in turning them into market models. It would be great if, for example, a future iPhone could detect cracks in the screen and notify users, or if the screen could heal itself, as suggested by patents published last year, which could be on hold for future Apple phones. But we also need to consider any ideas that haven't made it into iPhones yet, like telescopic cameras, curved screens, or stylus pens, all from patents dating back to 2014. They may still make it into iPhones, but it's more likely these are just ideas Apple has cobbled together as potential options iPhone development could pursue if they cross the company's notoriously narrow (and arbitrary) threshold for feature desirability. Since these features aren't ubiquitous on phones, it's understandable that Apple isn't investing in them. But Apple patents keep popping up, giving us insights into what could happen in future iPhones, from the unlikely to the most possible, like a MagSafe-esque magnetic charger or in-display Face and Touch ID or them. Apple glasses. But if we have any irrational hope for a category of Apple patents, it's probably for the foldable iPhone Flip that still prevails. Via PhoneArena