THIS YEAR promises to be another stellar year for new technology, with Sky, Apple, Samsung, LG, Oculus, HTC, Google and more lining up new products and services ready for 2016.
 |
| Sky, Apple, Samsung, LG, Oculus, HTC and Google have all got bug releases planned for 2016 |
It looks like another monumental year for gadget fans.
For those who don't remember, 2015 saw Apple – the world's most valuable company – release its first wearable device, technology firm Samsung completely overhaul its smartphone design and rake in awards for its stylish S6 Edge.
And now we're just about ready to do it all again. The first major technology announcements have already flooded in from the Consumer Electronics Show, dubbed CES, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
HTC, Samsung and LG are all believed to be lining up new smartphone announcements within the next few months – and then Apple will unveil iOS X at the annual World Wide Developers Conference, WWDC.
Here are some of the highlights from the year to come –
Sky Q
Expected – February/March 2016
Broadcaster Sky is set to roll-out an entirely new satellite television service, dubbed Sky Q, as part of the biggest shake-up of its line-up in decades.
Sky Q ships with new hardware, an unrecognisable new Sky remote control, new connected multi-room players and a upgraded home broadband hub.
As well as a sick and stylish new user interface, Sky Q customers will also be able to record four programmes at the same time, watch Sky TV around the house thanks to the lightweight connected Sky Q mini boxes.
 |
| Sky Q ships with redesigned hardware, an overhauled user interface and touchscreen remote |
 |
| The new SKy Q hardware runs on completely redesigned software |
 |
| Sky has completely redesigned its trademark remote control for the new service |
Sky Q boxes can also send old recordings to the companion iOS and Android apps, so you can take them with you.
There's a redesigned remote which replaces the traditional directional arrows with a smooth, circular touchscreen. And the entire system is ready for Ultra HD 4K channels, which Sky hopes to roll-out later this year.
UK prices have not yet been announced – although one analyst predicts Sky Q monthly subscriptions to cross the £100 barrier.
Apple iPhone 6C
- Expected – March/April 2016
Apple is rumoured to be readying a new iPhone for a Spring launch.
The Cupertino company embraced larger screen smartphones with the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus – a trend that continued this year with the iterative, iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus.
But those looking for a smaller iPhone have been left in the lurch, forced to buy an out-dated iPhone 5S or iPhone 5C from their local Apple Store. But that could all be about to change.
The iPhone 6C, which is expected to ship in a variety of colours – like the vibrant plastic used in the iPhone 5C, and include support for Apple Pay and a speedy A9 processor.
Unfortunately there will be no pressure sensitive 3D Touch display, one of the features that'll differentiate the top-tier iPhone models.
 |
| The long-rumoured iPhone 6C is expected to replace the iPhone 5S in Apple's current iPhone line-up |
 |
| 3D FUTURE has mocked up a concept image of the new iPhone 6C |
The front-facing and rear camera will remain the same as the iPhone 5S.
The handset – if it even exists, or ever sees the light of day – is expected to land in UK stores by March or April next year with a modest price tag of some £260 to £330.
The iPhone 6C will replace the iPhone 5S in the current Apple line-up and will ensure every smartphones sold by Apple supports Apple Pay.
It is similar to the iPhone 5C which replaced the iPhone 4S in the Apple line-up, ensuring every Apple smartphone used the smaller Lightning Connector cable.
Samsung Galaxy S7
- Expected – March/April 2016
The hugely popular South Korean firm is believed to have something special planned this year.
Expected to hit UK stores by April, the much-rumoured Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge is expected to bring a host of improvements to the firm’s award-winning Galaxy S6 Edge.
An upgraded processor, greatly improved camera and longer-lasting battery, are all expected to make an appearance in the latest Samsung flagship.
 |
| The cheaper iPhone 6C is expected to resemble the iPhone 5S, albeit with a curved glass display |
 |
| Samsung is expected to introduce pressure sensitivity to its flagship Galaxy S7 this year |
 |
| Just as with Apple's 3D Touch – the Synaptics technology adds layers of depth to the glass display |
 |
| Previously leaked blueprints show the S7 Plus will sport a palm-stretching six-inch display |
The South Korean technology firm is also thought to have approached Synaptics, which has developed a 3D Touch alternative called ClearForce.
Similar to 3D Touch, ClearForce responds to various levels of screen pressure.
The pressure sensitive technology will allow Samsung to add control options to the display than the traditional swipe, pinch and tap used on multi-touch smartphones.
There’s also some chatter online of James Bond-style retina scanner built alongside the selfie camera, as well as a sub-£400 price tag.
HTC One M10
- Expected March/April 2016
Let's be honest, the One M9 was slightly disappointing. It had style, thanks to the solid unibody design, but the camera produced some dull results and the smartphone felt frustratingly similar to its predecessor.
HTC hopes to turn all of that around with the One M10, its latest flagship.
The Taiwanese firm's CEO has previously hinted that the company wants to make a big splash in 2016, like Samsung managed with its beautiful S6 Edge.
 |
| HTC hopes to ditch the same polished aluminium design as the One M9 |
 |
| Wireless charging and a fingerprint sensor are expected to be added |
As well as a new look, wireless charging, an improved rear camera and a Snapdragon 820 processor are expected to feature.
It also looks like HTC will finally bundle a fingerprint scanner with its 2016 flagship smartphone, especially now that Google has baked biometric security into its Marshmallow OS.
Apple Watch 2
- Expected – April/May 2016
The Apple Watch was without a doubt the best smartwatch of 2015, thanks to its robust industrial design, wide-ranging selection of third-party apps and clever complications widgets.
And Apple looks set to improve on its tech timepiece with its second iteration, expected to be announced alongside the iPhone 6C and released a few weeks later.
 |
| Third-party developers have already jumped on the opportunities offered by the Apple Watch |
 |
| Apple's Watch handles notifications and calls perfectly |
Battery life is rumoured to get a boost, which could allow users to wear the Apple Watch at night and track their sleep quality during the night.
Other prominent rumours point to a FaceTime camera in the watch face, to allow wearers to make video calls, and a slightly thinner design.
The Watch is also expected to become more independent, allowing users to use GPS functionality without being tethered to their iPhone.
Apple should expect plenty of competition in 2016 with Samsung, LG, Sony and Huawei all certain to launch updated wearables.
Post a Comment Blogger Facebook Disqus