Apple May Jump From Wi-Fi To 100x Faster 'Li-Fi'

A newly-discovered piece of iOS code suggests that Apple Inc. AAPL is exploring the use of Li-Fi technology in iPhones, according to a report from BGR. Li-Fi is a technology similar to Wi-Fi that is capable of transmitting data via light, making it 100 times faster than standard Wi-Fi.

Researchers testing Li-Fi technology in a lab were recently able to achieve download speeds of 224 gigabits per second, which would allow for the download of multiple HD movies in less than two seconds.

Although Li-Fi technology is still in the experimental phase, the following bit of iOS code has been discovered, indicating that Apple is exploring the use of Li-Fi in iPhones.

Related Link: iPhone Demand 'Deteriorated' In Holiday Quarter, New Goldman Survey Finds

Source: @kyoufujibaya

Despite the promising potential of LiFi, it's unlikely that its numerous limitations will be worked out in time for the iPhone 7 or even the next several generations of iPhones. For example, since light cannot travel through walls or other solid objects, neither can Li-Fi at the moment. However, if there's one thing the world has learned from Apple, it's not to underestimate the company's power of innovation, and Li-Fi could soon be the next major advancement in smartphone technology.

Disclosure: the author holds no position in the stocks mentioned.