Iphone 5 concept phone

[dragonmegaXX]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzsBwnv_dAg

Thoughts?
I think the keyboard and projector look pretty Badass, even if it looks like it would break my holding it too hard.

[Cyr]

I doubt any of those features will be available with the new iphone except maybe the projected keyboard, which would be a nice feature for the few times it might actually be practical.
As for how thin it is, it looks way too flimsy.

[supermousie]

The holographic display looked a lifted far-fetched, but it's a good concept.

[The_Toymaker]

I'd be playing FFR all day with that holographic keyboard, bringing the ultimate flat touch keyboards !_!

[ScylaX]

Originally Posted by The_Toymaker

I'd be playing FFR all day with that holographic keyboard, bringing the ultimate flat touch keyboards !_!

too bad Apple hates Adobe

[reuben_tate]

Originally Posted by ScylaX

too bad Apple hates Adobe

This, big time. Toymaker (or anyone that's interested), if you want more details:

Apple & Adobe: New Technologies Lead to New Arguments

“Flash Player not available for your device. Apple restricts use of technologies required by products like Adobe® Flash® Player.” (Figure 1) Many people have seen this message and because of this, a huge debate has occurred between Apple and Adobe Flash. Most people who are familiar with Flash know about its versatile use in web browsers such as Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, and Google Chrome. When it came to extending the usefulness of Flash to Apple’s mobile devices such as the iPod Touch, iPhone, and iPad though, Apple refused. Apple has changed its license agreement (to Figure 2) with Flash so as of 2010 as to not allow Flash on all of their mobile devices. (Jobs) And ever since the Droid line-up has adopted the use of Flash Player 10.1, the competition has turned ugly. (“PCWorld”) Thus, Apple should allow Flash content on their mobile devices.

Many people are unaware about the existence of Flash. Yet those people probably use it every day when browsing the web. Flash is a plug-in or program used to create animations and interactive digital media. (“Adobe”) Because of this, some people use Flash to make a variety of things from web ads, Flash games, and interactive web pages. (“Adobe”) Flash Player is specifically the program that displays Flash content. (“Adobe”) This program can be downloaded for free at Adobe’s site. (“Adobe”) The program used to create Flash content is different. The latest program released by Adobe that creates Flash content is known as Flash CS5 and was released April 12, 2010. (“Adobe”) Therefore, this program is relatively new.

To understand the argument between Flash and Apple it is important to understand the history between them. Many, many years ago, Apple was much greater than Adobe. Apple was like a big business while Adobe was the equivalent of a “mom and pop” store. As a matter of fact, Apple used to own about 20% of Adobe. (Jobs) Adobe was a part of Apple, literally. Steve Jobs himself mentioned how the two companies were like best friends. (Bonsack 24) Since then, the two companies have separated and drifted apart. This has destroyed the relationship between Adobe and Apple, thus making it possible for an argument to take place.

One of the reasons that Steve Jobs (CEO and Co-Founder of Apple) refuses to allow Flash on Apple’s mobile devices is because of performance. Apple makes very vague claims that they have never seen Flash work well on any mobile device. (Jobs) They also say that they have been waiting for Flash to work on mobile devices since early 2009. (Jobs) However, in early 2009, Adobe released a program named Adobe Flash CS5. Flash CS5 is capable of (but not permitted to) allowing developers to program towards any iDevice, as well as non-Apple mobile devices such as the Droid. (“Jobs”) Apple says they have not seen Flash work on any mobile devices. Well, Droid users would probably disagree with that, along with other claims that Apple makes concerning things such as battery life.

Apple claims that Flash should not be used because of its association with shorter battery life. Apple claims that Flash would reduce battery life on their mobile devices. (Jobs) Apple says that one of the reasons that Flash would kill the battery is that videos must be decoded in hardware (not software) in order to be energy-efficient. (Jobs) Apple gives the example of the “Blu-Ray DVD player” that uses a decoder called H.264. (Jobs) Apple’s response in terms of Flash’s lack of hardware acceleration is extremely outdated because “the Droid 2 is the first Android phone to come with Android 2.2, and therefore Flash 10.1, installed out of the box, and it uses hardware acceleration to give Flash an extra kick.” (“PCWorld”) This shows that Flash is capable of hardware acceleration, which makes Apple’s claim invalid that Flash would decrease battery life.

Apple makes a general claim that video in H.264 would be able to have 10 hours of battery life while video in Flash would only have 5 hours of battery life. (Jobs) Apple’s claim is not sound however. They did not provide details or specific procedures as to how the battery-life test was executed. For example, the results could greatly differ had they experimented with other mobile devices. In addition, if the test was done before Flash supported hardware acceleration, the test would not only inaccurately demonstrate the power of Flash, but the test itself would also be outdated. Even if this test was not outdated, Apple’s point is still weak: most people would recharge their mobile device before watching five hours of cumulative Flash video, thus not really affecting the consumer. Apple even goes the distance to say that Flash consumes more battery life than HTML5. (Jobs) “Depending on how Flash is used, HTML5 sometimes drains the battery more. In fact, on [Google] Chrome, Flash performs better. So sometimes the propaganda doesn’t always fly.” (“PCWorld”) And what about iDevice apps created by the Adobe Flash CS5? These programs can be converted into native iDevice apps that would consume the same amount battery life as any other iDevice app (Miller 16-17).

Next, in terms of performance, are Apple’s devices and their “touch” interface. Apple claims that Flash relies on “roll-overs” (the action where the mouse cursor hovers over a button or object on the computer monitor.) (Jobs) However, Apple does not seem to understand how Flash works. Flash does not rely on “roll-overs.” It is just one more tool, along with a variety of many others, to allow interaction between the user and the program. In fact, Flash can still perform without rollover events. Flash CS5 also has the capabilities to create applications with touch events targeted towards mobile devices such as the iPhone. (“Adobe”)
Apple rebuts this fact by saying that Flash websites would need to be rewritten. (Jobs) That may be true; however, with a few changes in some lines of code, a developer can easily change a rollover mouse event into some type of touch event. Apple even goes to the extremes by saying that if developers need to rewrite their code, why not use “modern technologies” such as HTML5, CSS, or JavaScript? (Jobs) Why not? The answer is simple. It would probably take excessively long. The developer would first need to learn the programming language and then tediously “translate” the lines of code in their Flash program to whatever standard Jobs suggested. It would just be easier and more efficient for the developer to change the event handlers (what makes certain events occur) from mouse to touch. So unless the consumer wants to wait the extra months for the developer to unnecessarily translate from one programming language to another, Flash developers should stick with Flash and Adobe should allow it. Adobe’s point might be valid a long time ago, where it would be necessary for developers to translate and re-program their applications but the latest revolution in software and application development is the idea of cross-platform programming, or the ability to program and develop once for a multitude of different devices so developers can focus more on the content of their applications and less on the translation of programming languages. (Goodwin 1-50)

Next is the topic of gaming and entertainment. Flash was originally created for animation purposes. (“Adobe”) Then after the release of ActionScript 1.0 (the “programming language” for Flash,) developers exploited it for gaming purposes. (“Adobe”) Adobe later saw the potential between Flash and gaming and since then enhanced ActionScript (now ActionScript 3.0.) (“Adobe”) Any person browsing the web nowadays would notice the massive amounts of games that were created using Flash. Since Apple has banned Flash on their devices, Apple consumers will not be able to access any of those Flash created games. Apple tries to rebut by saying that iDevice users have access to over 50,000 game and entertainment titles on the App Store. (Jobs) However, not every Flash game on the web has a mobile version of it available as an iPhone app. Some people might want to play specific games that they see on the web such as Flash Flash Revolution or JamLegend. Some Flash gaming sites (such as m.kongregate.com) even have sub-domains dedicated to Flash games redesigned specifically for mobile devices in terms of screen size and touch. Why should Apple limit iDevice users in terms of the games they are allowed to play? They should not. iDevice users should be able to access the games they want to play, regardless of whether or not it was approved by Apple on the App Store. Maybe that is why Droid users are satisfied with their phones: they can play the games they want to, without Motorola, Google, or Verizon (companies affiliated with the Droid) interfering.

Another issue, that was lightly touched on when discussing battery life, is video. Apple claims that it supports a newer video format known as “H.264” that is supported by sites such as Yahoo and other sites. (Jobs) Since not all sites support H.264 video however, (Jobs) Apple seems closed in the sense that they control which sites users can view video in. Supporting “big-box” sites that support H.264 instead of “mom-and-pop” sites encourages business monopolies. These business monopolies could ruin the economy since they have no competition to regulate and keep them in check. In addition, users want to be able to access all the video on the web. Limiting the content that users are able to access might cause users to switch to different mobile devices that supports most, if not all, video content on the web, such as the Droid series.

So far, it seems as if Apple is doing very poorly at justifying their decisions. Another example of this is when they say that Flash is not open. This opens a huge debate on openness. This debate has caused both Apple and Adobe to call each other “closed” while self-claiming “openness.” (Jobs) Apple claims its openness by saying that they adopted open web standards such as HTML5, CSS, and JavaScript (with much emphasis on HTML5.) (Jobs) This point makes little sense however because Flash has also adopted open standards as well such as RTMP, FLV/F4V, AMF, Flex, the Text Layout Framework, OSMF, Tamarin, and MCD, all of which are open source. (“Adobe”) If anything, Apple should be considered closed. They have complete control of the App Store, users cannot use third party apps, Apple chooses which standards to use, Apple has restricted their services to a single service provider, and they limit video content only to certain sites. Adobe even has a sub-domain called opensource.adobe.com that highlights their open source projects such as Flex. (“Adobe”) Apple even claims that third party apps can be used by going through a common process used by advanced iDevice users known as “jailbreaking.” However, this still voids the warranty. So, who is really the open one?

Apple is, by no means, a “bad” company. They have inspiring and revolutionary products and technologies that continue to amuse us. Therefore, one should not be against the company itself. Their recent actions are wrong however. Any business, big or small, should put their interest in the customer. Droid user, Alston Albarado, said, himself that he is excited for the Flash update for his Droid phone and that “they [Apple] should [allow Flash content] because it would open up a whole new realm of possibilities. Apple’s customers will soon realize what they are missing and switch to other platforms such as the Droid, where they can see the video they want to see and play the games they want to play. Apple should allow Flash content on their mobile devices. Doing this will create a “win-win” situation for everyone: consumers will get what they want, Adobe can broaden their borders, and Apple will be able to keep up with the expectations and wishes of the consumer.

Works Cited
Adobe. Adobe, n.d. Web. 1 Nov 2010. <http://www.adobe.com>.
Albarado, Alston. Personal Interview by Reuben Tate. 03 Nov. 1993. 4 Jan 2011.
Bonsack, Nicholas. "Apple, Adobe Feud over Flash." Macworld. Jul 2010: 24. Print.
Goodwin, Steven. Cross-Platform Game Programming (Game Development). 1st ed. Hingham: Charles River Media, 2005. 1-50. Print.
Jobs, Steve. "Thoughts on Flash." (2010): n. pag. Web. 4 Jan 2011. <http://www.apple.com/hotnews/thoughts-on-flash/>.
Miller, Dan. "Adobe Fights the Flash Backlash." Macworld. Apr 2010: 16-17. Print.
Personal photograph by Tyler Asuncion. 30 October 2010.
"With Droid 2, Adobe Flash Stakes its Claim." PCWorld n. pag. Web. 1 Nov 2010. <http://www.pcworld.com/article/203061/with_droid_2_adobe_flash_stakes_its_claim.html.>

[who_cares973]

stupid thin phone. im happy with my real nexus s :^)

[fido123]

Flash on the web is on it's last leg. Don't expect to see it in the next 5 years. This is a good thing. HTML5 and already existing tools such as Javascript will replace Flash. Apple's a real prick to do business with though, although they do have some pretty legit reasons. Flash is notoriously insecure and rapes battery life.

[supermousie]

HTML5HTML5Revolution just doesn't have that ring to it.

[DDRfreakDES.573]

We will all be dead before anything of that stuff comes to light.

[dragonmegaXX]

Brilliant prediction.

[fido123]

Originally Posted by DDRfreakDES.573

We will all be dead before anything of that stuff comes to light.

You serious? I wouldn't be surprized to see holographic displays in the next 10-20 years. Do you even know how much technology has advanced since even just 10 years ago? An iPhone 4S in 2000 would have been some seriously mindblowing shit.

"SIRI, do I need a raincoat if I'm going to Milton?"
"Yes, if you'll be there between 2 and 10 PM it would be a good idea."

People would shit bricks just like a holograph would now. Shit man we even got quantum levetation at this point.

[Bluearrowll]

There is actually already something:

[iironiic]

It says "DUPER COOL" in the second video xD

[Evnoir]

Displaying a keyboard on a surface is one thing, but displaying a screen mid-air is completely different.

[fido123]

That's why we don't have it...yet!

[supermousie]

But the question is... Can you play Crysis with it?

Jokes aside, I'd be surprised if these laser keyboards replaced the conventional physical keyboards. I can imagine some products using the technology, but until they solve the various limitations, it would only be on a small selection of them.

But then again, this is my opinion in 2011, not 2025. :/

[fido123]

I'd expect to see it built into tablets and used more than touch screen keyboards. I predict you'll only see keyboards on "workstations" which would be a computer much like a PC today where you would type reports or essays etc. most other computing will be done on tablets or something else.

[reuben_tate]

Originally Posted by subin

That was a very interesting read!

Thank you. :3 I'm glad someone actually took the time to read it. ^_^ It was my senior project thesis for high school.

Originally Posted by subin

I hope that Apple and Adobe will work to mend their relationship and build a more solid foundation. It's more important that people are using the battery life for the things that they intend to do with their phone (this speaks directly against the battery life issue)

^This. I think both companies would benefit by doing so.

[ELRayford]

oldtech is old. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2lj109xEZw