Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) is still riding high from its record-breaking 74.5 million iPhone shipments in its most recent quarter, but the rumor mill about the next iteration of the iPhone is already starting to kick into gear. According to a report in the Wall Street Journal, which cited unnamed sources in Apple's supply chain, the company plans to add sensors to its next iPhone that would detect how hard a user is pressing on the screen.
The report said Apple will be bringing a technology called "Force Touch" to its new iPhones. Apple is already going to use the technology in its forthcoming MacBook and Apple Watch. The technology can tell the difference between a light press and deep press, letting users control a device differently depending on how hard they push on the screen. Developers could use the technology to create new music or gaming apps.
Meanwhile, the report said Apple won't change the size of its iPhone displays. The company last year introduced new iPhone screen sizes with its 4.7-inch iPhone 6 and 5.5-inch iPhone 6 Plus.
However, the report said Apple is testing a pink aluminum casing for its iPhones.
Apple declined to comment, according to the report.
The report noted that Apple tests different technologies and designs with suppliers that ultimately might not make it into the company's final products. The report added that mass production for some of the components used in Apple's next phones is expected to start in May.
Apple generally releases new iPhones in September.
For more:
- see this WSJ article (sub. req.)
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