Patent filings provide glimpse at future iPhone features

Recent patent applications filed by Apple have provided clues as to where the company may take its iPhone interface in the coming years. In particular, MacRumors is reporting about a patent published just a couple of weeks ago that explores the possibility of using motion-sensing for adapting the interface to different situations. The idea is that your iPhone will be able detect if you're jogging, or perhaps on a particularly rocky bus ride, and alter the look of the interface with bigger elements to make it easier for you to view.


A second patent proposes the use of motion-based gestures to invoke specific commands rather than relying on on-screen buttons. Apple already supports this to some degree – users can shuffle songs on the iPhone by shaking it, for example – but the patent details a more advanced system where additional uses of onscreen buttons or bezel touch detection could prevent accidental gesturing.

Aside from these motion and gesture-detecting technologies, the patent diagram also reveals a front-facing camera, which has sparked speculation that Apple might be adding videoconferencing capabilities to its smartphone. The first and second-generation iPhone don’t include video recording at all, at least not officially, but the feature is rumored to be coming out this summer with an updated device.