I think it’s fair to say that Apple’s upcoming iPhone 8 has engendered more excitement and intrigue than any other iPhone model in years. And with good reason, it’s widely believed that Apple’s next-gen iPhone will finally introduce a brand new and forward-thinking form factor. According to reports, Apple’s flagship iPhone 8 model will feature a sleek edgeless display along with a curved OLED panel.
As for other new features we can look forward to, an interesting new research report from Cowen and Company analyst Timothy Arcuri relays that Apple’s next-gen iPhone might also include a new form of user input based on facial recognition technology.
“Other features appear to include some form of facial/gesture recognition supported by a new laser sensor and an infrared sensor mounted near the front-facing camera and, as expected, should also finally include wireless charging,” Arcuri said in a note obtained by Business Insider.
Notably, Apple last year acquired Emotient, an AI firm with technology that can not only recognize faces, but can even recognize different types of facial expressions as a means to determine a user’s emotional state.
What Apple plans to do with the technology remains unclear, but some have speculated that the iPhone 8 may allow users, if they prefer, to unlock their devices via facial recognition as opposed to Touch ID.
With respect to the iPhone 8’s rumored curved and wraparound display, a Nikkei report from last month relayed that the device may use a new type of sensor technology that would “enable the phone to respond when users touch any side of the device.”
As a final point, we’ve seen quite a few reports over the past few months which seemingly corroborate Arcurri’s remarks about the iPhone 8 featuring a wireless charging feature. Just last month, for example, word emerged that Dialog Semiconductor — one of Apple’s top component suppliers — inked an exclusive deal with Energous, a company with advanced technology that allows a smartphone to charge wirelessly from a distance of up to 15 feet away.
