Kuo: Apple to debut Tile-like tracker next week, new iPhone design in 2020

Ming-Chi Kuo also believes that an Apple tracking device is imminent, and will use Ultra Wide Band technology not just in the 2019 iPhone, but in the discrete devices as well.

In a research note seen by AppleInsider Ming-Chi Kuo believes that all three 2019 iPhone models will be equipped with Ultra Wide Band (UWB). The technology is said to integrate inside existing iPhone applications, with Kuo naming Apple Maps getting an assist in regards to indoor navigation.

Kuo pulls up short, before talking about Tile-like tracking devices and doesn't mention consumer use of the technology in that regard at all. The analyst predicts that Apple will cooperate with companies to enhance indoor navigation using UWB and the iBeacon technology, which could boost adoption of the iPhone.

JCET is predicted to be the major beneficiary of UWB inclusion. Kuo believes that UWB could be integrated with Bluetooth low energy (BLE), so it isn't presently clear if the predicted tracking devices will extend to earlier models, or be limited to just the 2019 iPhone lineup.

Looking forward to 2020, Kuo still predicts 5G in that year's iPhone. He is also expecting further camera improvements and the possibility of a new external design.

Apple's 2019 event is on Tuesday, September 10. The most recent rumors, with reasonably solid sources in the supply chain, say that they will be called the "iPhone 11" range. The equivalent of the current base model, the iPhone XR, is expected to be called the "iPhone 11." The updated iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max are expected to be called the "iPhone 11 Pro" and "iPhone 11 Pro Max."

The base model, the replacement for the iPhone XR, is thought to have two camera lenses, but the others will have a triple-lens system which includes a wide-angle lens.

A report also claims that software within iOS will be able to automatically combine photos from the different lenses and apply corrections or improvements to low-light images. The same report expects "significant" improvements to video recording, including the ability to add effects in-camera instead of after filming.

When it comes to power, the new models are expected to retain the Lightning port. Some reports have claimed that Apple may include a USB-C power brick in the iPhone box, versus the 5W USB-A model it has used for years.

13 Comments

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gatorguy 13 Years · 24634 comments

About 5 years ago

Yup new iBeacon for retailers too for matching up with the UWB tech in the upcoming iPhones.

But what happened to the "old" iBeacon that was initially so well received? Abandoned for the most part today, too many operational problems and potential consumer-side privacy issues. Among them:

Few customers have heard of beacons, so most haven’t installed retailer apps
Bluetooth has limited range and signals are easily blocked by people and store furniture
Customers tend to discontinue app use if they feel they’re being spammed
Growing concern about privacy, with apps failing to be upfront about the data they collect.

Presumably the "new" version will avoid some of those issues, particularly the 2nd one but maybe not much else? Probably gotta wait at least a couple a weeks to find out what the changes are.

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SpamSandwich 19 Years · 32917 comments

About 5 years ago

But it won’t take long for spammers and hackers to exploit any kind of signal-seeking behavior. iOS devices being unable to exclude random WiFi sources is just the tip of the iceberg with the problems for users and devices.

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bonobob 13 Years · 395 comments

About 5 years ago

gatorguy said:

Few customers have heard of beacons, so most haven’t installed retailer apps

Many customers have heard of iBeacons, but don't want to be tracked by them.

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mjtomlin 20 Years · 2690 comments

About 5 years ago

bonobob said:

gatorguy said:

Few customers have heard of beacons, so most haven’t installed retailer apps

Many customers have heard of iBeacons, but don't want to be tracked by them.

Tracked by them? How exactly can an iBeacons track you?

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gatorguy 13 Years · 24634 comments

About 5 years ago

mjtomlin said:

bonobob said:

gatorguy said:

Few customers have heard of beacons, so most haven’t installed retailer apps

Many customers have heard of iBeacons, but don't want to be tracked by them.

Tracked by them? How exactly can an iBeacons track you?
https://multichannelmerchant.com/marketing/data-can-beacon-actually-collect/

"...the benefits of beacons are two-fold: increase conversion and purchases with right-time marketing, and collect first-party customer data....
(but) a beacon is only activated when an in-store customer who has Bluetooth enabled and has downloaded the store app – and agreed to the terms and conditions – is in proximity. Without the app or Bluetooth turned on, beacon technology does not work.

Thankfully, and likely in anticipation of an uptick in iBeacon users, Apple’s latest iOS update automatically turns Bluetooth on for users."

"Arguably the biggest benefit of beacons is the ability to simultaneously collect first-party data at scale with location-based data. Essentially, beacons are an indoor mapping technology allowing brands to track in-store or at-event behavioral data of individuals."