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The iPhones of the Future May Be Wireless, Portless and Buttonless (cnet.com)

Posted by BeauHD on from the wireless-future dept.

The first iPhone to shed its headphone jack was the iPhone 7, which launched in late 2016. Now it seems like the Lightning port may be the next to go. CNET reports: Apple has considered removing the Lightning port on the iPhone X, according to Bloomberg, citing unnamed "people familiar with the company's work." While earlier rumors suggested that Apple would remove the Lightning port in favor of USB-C, Apple's goal may be to remove all ports entirely.

Bloomberg's report is about the challenges that Apple faces with its AirPower wireless charger, but it also shares some details about Apple's vision for a wireless future. The report says: "Apple designers eventually hope to remove most of the external ports and buttons on the iPhone, including the charger, according to people familiar with the company's work. During the development of the iPhone X, Apple weighed removing the wired charging system entirely. That wasn't feasible at the time because wireless charging was still slower than traditional methods. Including a wireless charger with new iPhones would also significantly raise the price of the phones."

9 of 249 comments (clear)

  1. They would be more waterproof by bobstreo · · Score: 4, Funny

    I guess after all ports are removed, the next idea would be to remove the leading cause of repairs, if there is no screen, it won't crack... /s

    1. Re: They would be more waterproof by xxxJonBoyxxx · · Score: 5, Funny

      Screenless but fuck it, we're doing five cameras!

    2. Re:They would be more waterproof by LynnwoodRooster · · Score: 5, Funny

      Voice is so 2000. Pushbuttons are so 70s. REAL phones, for quality POTS use, need a rotary dial. Unless you hear the clicks and feel the spin, you're really not experiencing real phone calls...

      --
      Browsing at +1 - no ACs, I ignore their posts. So refreshing!
  2. That's nothing by Patent+Lover · · Score: 4, Funny

    They're also going to be screenless. It's going to be a huge breakthrough.

  3. Re:Wasteful by arth1 · · Score: 5, Funny

    The only Apple product I own is the White Album.

  4. Re:Wasteful by Yaztromo · · Score: 3, Funny

    The only Apple product I own is the White Album.

    Whoa -- talk about being way behind the times there grandpa!

    You should totally check out Abbey Road. Best. B Side. Ever.

    Yaz

  5. Re: Fantastic! by DontBeAMoran · · Score: 3, Funny

    With a nuke. From orbit.

    --
    #DeleteFacebook
  6. Re: Fantastic! by Carewolf · · Score: 3, Funny

    With a nuke. From orbit.

    It is the only way to be sure.

  7. I just got the latest iPhone by Harvey+Manfrenjenson · · Score: 3, Funny

    "It's so advanced... you don't even need it." -Stephen Wright