Design the next iPhone • Hacker News Board

Re: Design the next iPhone

#361

Post by rekabis » Thu, Aug 25, 2022, 9:11 PM UTC

I would love to see an entry-level-spec, large-screen version for seniors and those with vision issues where high resolution is next to useless.

No-one seems to be building such a phone, probably because most people in their 70s and above either don’t have a cell phone, or still rock a low-tech flip phone with physical buttons.

My own father (83 this year) would love a low-resolution screen the size of the iPhone Pro Max, just without the bells and whistles and “Pro” aspect of the Max.

Hell, if the iPad mini could be turned into a fully-functional cell phone without relying on VoIP hacks, he’d likely jump at that.

Re: Design the next iPhone

#362

Post by 867-5309 » Fri, Aug 26, 2022, 9:35 AM UTC

nomel wrote: post #356

867-5309 wrote: post #339

Earlier quoted context omitted.

but the network antennae are usually located at or near the top of the front of the phone. for this reason I place mine upright, screen facing outwards. headphone socket orientation comes secondary to this

The antenna is trying to reach something in the distance, nearly horizontal. The 5 inches of height gained by placing it upright will be absolutely negligible. This is easily proven with a signal meter.

I disagree. from ground level it could be 15-20% higher, which would make a real difference. facing outwards also means not having to transmit and receive through your leg or butt

Re: Design the next iPhone

#363

Post by franl » Mon, Aug 29, 2022, 1:46 PM UTC

bnt wrote: post #139

franl wrote: post #126

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Probably because phones are massive now, and the side is the only place the power button can be pressed while holding the phone with one hand.

But you only need to "power" it once in like a month. You "turn it on" by tapping the screen. You "turn it off" by putting it aside or in your pocket. Power button on the side is a weird choice.

Yeah you might be right. There are “weirdos” like me who power it on and off every day though :) Who knows what their rationale truly was, just seems like a case where the bad physical UX of a huge screen on a phone was compensated for by placing a button in a non-standard location. Oh and the power button is also used to quickly lock the screen, so that’s something probably used more often than turning the device on/off.