In case you missed it, yesterday Apple announced its release of the iPhone 5 among updated software, iPods and iTunes. We’ve already acknowledged that the evolution of smartphones has driven us to the bring your own device (BYOD) trend – or in other words, the trend enabling 24/7, “always-on” workaholics.
Now that the iPhone (News - Alert) 5 has finally stopped the rumor mill leading up to the launch, what do the enhanced features mean for BYOD-enthusiasts?
One major difference in the newest iPhone is LTE (News - Alert), or long term evolution. LTE networks are on average 10 times faster than their 3G counterparts. Sites load faster, Netflix doesn’t pause every five seconds, and apps download at greater speeds. With LTE, users can browse the Web, stream content or download files at much faster speeds than before. The iPhone 5 is optimized for better battery life and designed for ultrafast connectivity.
In June, Verizon had the biggest 4G LTE network in the country with more than 250 LTE markets and plans to cover 400 by the end of 2012. AT&T covers more than 74 million Americans but only in 53 markets. In the U.S., the iPhone 5’s LTE is covered by AT&T, Sprint (News - Alert) and Verizon.
Though some may wait some time to get their new iPhone, there are others who will be first in line for pre-orders, which means that IT departments have yet another mobile device with different features to add into the management mix.
The new iPhone also comes with a software update, iOS 6, which comes up with an upgraded interface, features, built-in apps, iCloud and Siri, the infamous voice recognition software of the iPhone. Siri has gotten a makeover, and she can now give you more information about sports and reserving a table at a restaurant.
Maps is also new to the iPhone. The new app is Apple-designed and gives turn-by-turn directions, satellite imagery and 3D views.
The update of the iPhone covers pretty much everything, which means there is just that much more users can do with it, and faster. For those who have may not turned to BYOD, the new features in the iPhone 5 may be the pushing factor.
Three IT managers said they believe the iPhone 5 will be manageable from a security and wireless data service cost aspect. One CIO said it will probably be a boon to worker productivity.
"Business runs today in real time, and workers want to do things fast, so from that perspective, the iPhone 5's LTE can provide that real-time capability," said SAP (News - Alert) AG CIO Oliver Bussmann in an interview minutes after the iPhone 5 was announced. "The future is a mobile one, and we're constantly looking at any desktop app that we can move to mobile. One of my responsibilities as CIO is to enable a new user experience when possible."
Bussmann said he supports 60,000 workers globally, including more than 40,000 smartphones and tablets that are managed through SAP's Sybase Afaria Mobile Device Management tool, which SAP also sells to other corporations. He estimated a large number of SAP's 13,000 existing iPhone users will want to move to the iPhone 5.
One thing is for sure, if more users are going to be adopting the always-improving smartphones such as the iPhone 5, IT managers and companies need to be prepared. Using a mobile device management solution such as MaaS360 from Fiberlink is the fastest and most comprehensive way to get devices configured for enterprise access and to secure corporate data on smartphones and tablets. MaaS360 supports smartphones and tablets including iPhone, iPad, Android, Windows Phone (News - Alert), BlackBerry and Kindle Fire.
To learn more about MaaS360, visit its website.
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Edited by Jamie Epstein