Upcoming GoPro may Feature Touchscreen Interface

The upcoming next-generation GoPro video camera may feature a touchscreen interface. This would, of course, be a huge change for the device, as previous generations have relied on mechanical buttons.

Originally released April 2005, the GoPro Hero is the company’s signature video camera. Featuring a 3.5 x 3″ design, and weighing less than half a pound, it became the definitive video camera for thrill-seeking adventurists. Unlike other video cameras, it was designed to withstand the stress of rugged activities — something for which the name “GoPro” has become synonymous.

The company has since released several other GoPro Heros and other video cameras, including the Hero 2, Hero 3 and Hero 4. None of these devices, however, have featured a touchscreen interface. Rather, they used mechanical buttons. So, how do we know that the upcoming GoPro will feature a touchscreen interface?

GoPro has yet to confirm nor deny rumors of a touchscreen interface being used in its next-generation Hero. However, a video recently surfaced on Vimeo revealing what it could be a touchscreen interface on the device. GoPro enthusiast Konrad lturbe posted the video, revealing what appears to be a touchscreen interface in the upcoming GoPro Hero 5. Although the video is just nine seconds, it shows an entirely new interface for the device, hinting towards a possible touchscreen interface. It reveals three sections of the device, one of which is a touchscreen interface embedded on the rear of the Hero 5.

Iturbe said the video was extracted from the official GoPro app, which he believes the company accidentally left or included in the app.

As explained by the company’s CEO last year, GoPro is designed to help users produce great content. Woodman goes on to say that GoPro is investing a “ton of resources” into enhances the device’s content generation abilities, which could further hint towards a possible touchscreen interface being used in the next-generation device.

“GoPro exists to enable great content and great content enables GoPro,” said GoPro CEO Nick Woodman. “So it’s no surprise that we invest a ton of resources into enabling great content and making it easier and more convenient, and [Hero action cameras] lighter, smaller, more invisible, effective content capture solutions for our customers.”

What do you think about a possible touchscreen interface being used in the next-generation GoPro?