By Richard Conn
Technology is always providing ways to streamline work, a cloud PBX phone system can make in-house collaboration faster and easier, while an outbound predictive dialer can save time by targeting customers directly. With Apple having released the iPhone 12 line-up, in what new ways can we expect this new device to streamline work?
5G Enabled
Loyal Apple followers have no doubt been itching to jump aboard the 5G train as the new generation of network connectivity spreads among the network suppliers.
Further embittering the disciples, other mobile device manufacturers such as Samsung and Huawei already have many 5G-enabled products.
In fact, in January, Samsung couldn’t resist gloating that they ‘hold more than half of the global market share for 5G phones’. Although I’m sure Apple isn’t in need of any phone sales tips from Samsung.
All in all, it’s been a humbling time for Apple devotees. Until now. Supply chain reports have indicated that we can expect four sizes of iPhone 12, all 5G enabled.
This means that the iPhone will be able to send and receive data more quickly; even in areas with heavy data traffic where, in the past, internet speeds and website loading times have suffered. If you live or work in such an area, you’ll find the new iPhone’s 5G capability a welcome relief to slow website retrieval and sluggish cloud applications.
Faster Performance
The new iPhone 12 series will come with Apple’s new chipset, the A14 Bionic. This chip continues Apple’s tradition of firsts, being the first chip with a 5nm process. This allows for a higher density of transistors in a smaller area, resulting in lower power consumption, and a huge performance boost.
Apple has also stated that the processor is able to ‘run more operations in parallel’ allowing for a smoother experience when running multiple apps. That will help with day-to-day work and other activities, like virtual team-building.
In addition to all this extra power, the A14 has large performance caches and the phones will come with 6GB of RAM. That’s 2GB more than the iPhone 11. All this enables the phone to rapidly achieve performance-intensive tasks such as; video rendering, image processing, 3D rendering, and more.
Neural Engine and Machine Learning
Like its predecessors, the aforementioned A14 chipset has a dedicated unit called the Neural Engine. This unit deals with machine learning operations, AI calculations, and the building of neural networks.
Due to the 5nm processing and the higher transistor budget that it affords, Apple have been able to double the number of cores for the A14’s Neural Engine from eight to 16. This allows for 11 trillion operations per second! Almost twice that of the A13 model.
The A14 also comes with specialized blocks for machine learning that offer app developers access to analytical processes that utilize neural networks, enabling completely new functional usage. App developers will really be able to push the boundaries of what is possible on a mobile device.
Consequently, as a user you will be able to take advantage of more sophisticated mobile apps to complete more intricate tasks. Such as the monitoring of performance marketing software, all from the convenience of your iPhone.
LiDAR Scanner
In addition to the cameras included, the upper range of the iPhone 12 series will include a LiDAR scanner like the one seen on the iPad Air.
This technology pulses out invisible lasers and measures the time differences in the reflections. Then, the iPhone 12’s Neural Engine processes that data into a picture containing information about depth. This enables the iPhone 12 to measure distances and generate graphic entities over the camera feed with a true-to-life impression of depth.
App Library
The iPhone 12 series will be the first to ship with iOS 14. For this iteration of iOS, Apple have added an “App Library” feature that can automatically arrange your apps into relevant folders on a separate tile to the right of your main ones. It arranges apps into categories such as; Entertainment, Social, Utilities, and Productivity and Finance.
This makes navigating to the app you’re after a much easier affair. Apple are so confident in this design feature that they’ve included the option to hide the traditional app-holding tiles altogether.
Picture in Picture
iOS 14 will also see the roll out of a feature Apple are calling ‘Picture in Picture’, which does exactly what you probably suspect. If you’re watching a video, or in the middle of a FaceTime call, you can press the home key and the video player will minimize to occupy a small portion of the screen.
Now, you’re free to use any other app while the video or FaceTime call continues.
Workplace collaboration is tricky these days with many people working from home. This added bit of ingenuity from Apple, though, helps to streamline your experience while using FaceTime, freeing you up to perform other tasks while in a meeting.
Design and Pricing
Dummy versions of the new iPhone suggest that Apple are looking to recapture some of that slab-sided allure of the iPhone 4 we all miss so dearly. Not only that, Apple is likely to have shaved off some millimetrers making the largest version 7.4mm thick – 0.7mm thinner than the equivalent iPhone 11.
On that note, there will be four different styles of iPhone 12 in three different sizes on offer. A smaller 5.4” model, 2 6.1” models and a 6.7” model. This broader range of styles, sizes, and ultimately, prices grants options to prospective users with different needs.
What It Means for You
With it’s new 5G connectivity, improved performance, polished interface, and wider range of styles, the iPhone 12 series can deliver an experience that refines your workflow as well as your personal day-to-day life.
Richard Conn is the Senior Director, Search Marketing for RingCentral, a global leader in unified communications and VoIP provider. He is passionate about connecting businesses and customers and has experience working with Fortune 500 companies such as Google, Experian, Target, Nordstrom, Kayak, Hilton, and Kia.
