I think it's fair to say that Apple's upcoming iPhone 8 has engendered more excitement and intrigue-than any other iPhone model in years. And with good reason, it's widely believed that Apple's next-gen iPhone will finally introduce a brand new and forward-thinking form factor.-According to reports, Apple's flagship iPhone 8 model will feature a sleek edgeless display along with a curved OLED panel. As for other new features we can look forward to, an interesting new research report from Cowen and Company analyst Timothy Arcuri relays that Apple's next-gen iPhone might also include a new-form of user input based on facial recognition technology. "Other features appear to include some form of facial/gesture recognition supported by a new laser sensor and an infrared sensor mounted near the front-facing camera and, as expected, should also finally include wireless charging," Arcuri-said in a note obtained by Business Insider . Notably, Apple last year acquired Emotient , an AI firm with technology that can not only recognize faces, but can even recognize different types of facial expressions as a means to determine a user's emotional state. What Apple plans to do with the technology remains unclear, but some have speculated that the iPhone 8 may allow users, if they prefer, to unlock their devices via facial recognition as opposed to Touch ID. With respect to the iPhone 8's rumored curved and wraparound display, a Nikkei report from last month relayed that the device may use a new type of sensor technology that would "enable the phone to respond when users touch any side of the device." As a final point,-we've seen quite a few reports over the past few months which seemingly corroborate Arcurri's remarks about the iPhone 8 featuring a wireless charging feature. Just last month, for example, word emerged that Dialog Semiconductor -- one of Apple's top component suppliers -- inked an exclusive deal with Energous, a company with advanced technology that allows a smartphone to charge wirelessly from a distance of up to 15 feet away.

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