The completion for the Numero Uno slot in Smart Phones has ner been so hot. Cutting edge technology backed by engineering muscles of the giants is ensuring that your smart phone gets even more smarter. Here is the top-10 list of new trends and features that we have seen in new smart phones

1. Killer Cameras

Just when we thought Camera in a cellphone was more of a commodity, the Samsungs, Nokia and Apples of the world bumped it up with killer specs – hardware as well as software. Samsung’s latest kid on the block – Galaxy S4 – boasts of a giant 13 Megapixel camera. Nokia went further with its PureView technology and introduced Nokia PureView 808 that has a 41 Mega Pixel Sensor.
The war of cameras goes beyond Megapixels. Check out LG Optimus 3D with abilities to shoot and play 3D photos and videos. See here. And yes, did I tell you that you don’t need those annoying 3D glasses for watching 3D content. Super cool.
Then there are all these frills around cool features like video shooting with both cameras at the same time in S4, Sweep Panorama, Low Light Shooting Sensors of Sony’s Experia Z, Filters, Face Detection. This list can go on.

2.    Stunning Displays

iPhone 4 revolutionized the display of Cell Phones with its “Retina Display Technology” in 2010 with 330 ppi (Pixel Per Inch) density. Steve Jobs claimed that it is beyond the abilities of a human eye to recognize the difference beyond this resolution of 330 ppi. While Apple is till sticking with a ppi around the same number, the completion has moved on with 400+ppi territory. S4 has 441 ppi. With 1080P full HD support, the displays of today’s smart phones is stunning with clear and crisp texts and sharp images. Wonder what effect has on battery consumption though.

3. Wireless Charging

The new Wireless Charging Technology found in Nokia Lumia phones allows for charging your cellphone without wires. You still need to “put” the phone on a compatible Wireless Charging device, typically a Charging Pad. Imagine just dumping your phone on a Charging Pad while you are driving a car or when you sleep at night and the phone gets charged. The new Qi wireless standard is being adopted by the industry with lead from Nokia. Check out Nokia Lumia 920.This means that a Nokia Wireless charger can potentially charge compatible Samsung Galaxy phone.

4. NFC (Near Field Communication)

Near Field Communication is the latest buzz in phone-to-phone and phone-to-accessories communication. Bring two NFC Compliant devices next to each other and share the content seamlessly. Simply touch your Nokia Lumia 920 with the compliant Headset accessory and bingo! Bluetooth is such a passé.

5. Processing Prowess

The CPUs of smart phones have become increasingly powerful. Galaxy S4 has an Eight Core processors with 2 GB RAM.  These Specs beat the laptop that I had few years back hands down. The rich graphics, heavy games and ever increasing need for a snappy and fluid touch screen demands heavy muscles bundled in a thin package of a smart phone.

6.    Smart Touch or Not

All smart phones have Capacitive Touch Screens these days. However, the capacitive touch requires you to touch the screen with your fingers. Try using it while walking in a chilly and windy weather of Chicago and I bet you will wish you had that old school phone with buttons. Capacitive Touch does not work with gloves on. Not anymore though. Nokia Lumia 920 allows you to operate your phone with gloves on.
Galaxy S4 goes further. It has this cool feature of “Finger Hover”.  Want to peek into the email before you open it? Just hover your finger over the email (without actually touching it) and the Email App shows you two line summary of the email. There are many other Apps that support the “Finger Hover”. This is similar to a “Mouse Hover” in the good old PCs.

7. Eye to Eye

The front cameras of the phones are no longer only for Video Chats etc. Check out Galaxy S4s cool new features. The Front Camera of Samsung has the ability to watch your eye movements and make the phone behave accordingly. For example, the phone switches off the display if it senses no one is looking at it, saving some battery. It can also stop and start videos depending on whether someone is looking at the screen. The video will automatically pause if you glance away from screen and it will restart when the eyes refocus on the screen. Pretty cool.

8. Size Matters

The size of the smart phones is trending to increase. It all started with 3.5inch Apple iPhone. Samsung raised the bar with 4.3 Inch S2. S3 was bigger 4.8 inch. S4 is even bigger – 5 inch. The Note II is even bigger with 5.5 inch screen. LG, HTC, Sony have similar size phones. And that seems to be the trend. Apple is falling in line, slowly.

9. Water Resistance

I wish we had this few years back. I would have saved one phone at least. Sony’s Xperia Z boasts off to be water resistant. Pour water on it. Dip it completely into water. The company guarantees your machine will be safe. Wow ! Great boon during the Mumbai rains.

10. And all those Frills

a. Virtual Personal Assistant – Hello Siri.
The voice assisted virtual assistant on your phone is new frill, lead by Appl’s Siri. I have doubts how useful it is though. Samsung has SVoice
b. Infrared Booster – Double up as TV Remote
This may be quite useful. Double up your Phone as a Universal Remote with its Infrared capabilities. Check out Galaxy S4 and HTC OneX
c. Tilt to Scroll
No need to touch. Tilt the phone up and down to scroll.
d. Fitness Tracker
More of an app. But quite useful. Galaxy S4

Still to Come

Then there is buzz around what’s in Store.

• Unbreakable Glass
• Flexible Phones – Prototype has been on display during last CES Event in the US
• Good Battery Life. This is my fantasy though. Its not going to be a reality soon