Apple has opened up its camera app this year, allowing the iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro smart battery cases to launch the Camera app automatically when the camera button on the case is pressed. With the Camera app open, tapping on the button snaps a photo while a long press on the button records a QuickTake video. The feature, added this year to the iPhone, allows users to take a video while still in photo mode by long-pressing on the shutter.

Apple took iPhone photography to another level this year

Next year, we can expect Apple to add a Time of Flight (ToF) sensor to the 2020 iPhones. This sensor measures the time it takes for infrared light to bounce off of a subject and return to the phone. With this data, more precise depth information can be measured which can improve augmented reality features and deliver a more natural-looking bokeh blur on portraits. ToF can also create secure 3D maps that could be employed for a rear-facing version of Face ID.

As for the MFi licensing program, you might be surprised to learn that it predates the introduction of the iPhone by two years. That’s because it was originally introduced at Macworld on January 11, 2005, as a licensing program for accessories “Made for iPod.” In exchange for a 10% cut of the action, licensees could adorn their product boxes with a special logo. The accessories used the earphone jack (if you don’t know what that is, Google it) and the dock connectors. With the release of the iPhone in June 2007, the licensing program including accessories also designed for the iPhone. In 2010, iPad accessories were added as well.

Third-party manufacturers who are licensed to participate in the MFi program are briefed by Apple about specs that are important for them to know about. This is how the aforementioned sources learned about the new specs for strobes and other lighting accessories to be synced via the Lightning port on the new iPhones.