What's one of the most leaked things about a phone? We hear a lot about the features, sometimes, and we can often sift through quite a bit of (mis)information when it comes to software versions or camera megapixels. But what's the one thing that usually gets the most traction? The one thing that we see passed around more often than anything else? The one part of a phone that has so many different concepts, imaginings, or rumors and speculation?
The design.
Depending on how high-profile an upcoming handset is, we could see leaks and hear rumors almost a year in advance. Just look at each subsequent iPhone. We get to hear about what the next iPhone might look like sometimes days after the latest one gets unveiled. It may not be as extreme, but we see the same kind of behavior with devices from Samsung, HTC and more recently from Motorola.
We love the way our phones look. Even as our phones evolved, growing smarter and yet more simple in design, we still love them. Whether it's a new way that some manufacturer can make a rectangle with a large display look, or the materials that go into creating the next big thing, the way our phone looks is arguably the most important part. After all, we don't want to carry around a device that we think is ugly, right?
It's April Fool's Day, which means the Internet is teeming with all sorts of crazy articles. "Leaks" and "rumors" from unknown sources, talking about this or that, articulating in some kind of joking fashion what the next iPhone, Galaxy S, or Moto might feature. Of course, not all of them are meant to be jokes. Like, today, a new rumor suggesting that Apple may kick off manufacturing of their 4.7-inch panels for the next iPhone as early as next month.
While the screen size of any phone has become a hot button for a lot of people, it still all comes down to how the phone looks. Just look at the recently unveiled Galaxy S5 from Samsung. A lot of folks thought they'd be ditching plastic for their design choice altogether, but that didn't happen. More than that, though, they decided to go with a back cover that garnered plenty of attention after the fact -- not much of it positive. I already know a few people who have decided to skip over Samsung's next big thing, simply because of the back cover. (Seems silly, but just think about all the other silly reasons people have for skipping a device.)
What attracts our attention in physical design is important. It's one reason why the HTC One M8, while following in the footsteps of the original One, is getting such high praise. An attention to detail that a lot of phone manufacturers just don't seem to focus on these days. At least, not in the same ways. As much as a person wants a phone they like to look at, some folks out there also want a device they think others will like to look at, too.
That's right, showing off a device isn't a bad thing.
I know that I do it, but I'm one of those people that love to answer questions about new devices (even if they aren't necessarily new to the market). Of course, when you get a phone like the new One M8 or Galaxy S5, or any of the noteworthy devices that launch later this year, why wouldn't you want to show it off?
And that's my question for you, on this late afternoon on April Fool's Day. In honor of the lightheartedness of the day, I want to ask you if you're someone who likes to show off your new phones.
