GoPro Hero 5 release date, specs rumors 2016: Improvements to include onboard GPS, touchscreen interface?

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While action cam company GoPro has yet to come out with details on its upcoming follow-up in the Hero series, speculations about the new Hero 5 are already making their rounds online. Fans believe that the new action cam will come with marked improvements over the Hero 4, including an onboard GPS and a touchscreen interface.

According to Investor's Business Daily, GoPro will feature a GPS location chip in the upcoming Hero 5. The new feature will be the first for the action cam lineup, since GoPro previously dismissed the GPS feature as an additional power drain. However, with some competitor action cams like Sony and Garmin integrating GPS features on their own lineups, GoPro has to stake its own claim on the feature. In addition, industry observers believe that the GPS feature on the Hero 5 will be paired with step-up improvements like faster WiFi connectivity and a dual-lens feature for 360-degree image capture. While the new features are yet to be confirmed, it will be a differentiating feature for the GoPro Hero 5. Full-360 degree video recording and image capture is also becoming a trend, and faster connectivity means that users can immediately upload their recordings on their preferred apps.

Meanwhile, The Verge mentions that another feature for the GoPro Hero 5 may be a touchscreen interface. Reportedly, a video showcasing the new action cam has been leaked online, and it shows navigation and interface on a touchscreen covering the back of the camera. The video remains unconfirmed though, pending official statements from GoPro. However, a touchscreen UI on the next GoPro action come is highly possible, since this will not be the first time that the feature has been present. GoPro has previously incorporated a touchscreen interface on the Hero 4 Silver edition.

Aside from new specs and features, rumors suggest that the Hero 5 will also incorporate a slimmer and smaller body design.