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TECHNOLOGY
HIGH
FIVE
Apple claims it has released the best iPhone yet.
Amy Fey weighs in on the debate
Early adopters eagerly awaiting the next big thing on the
smartphone market might have been left feeling a little
underwhelmed at the announcement of the iPhone 5. Many
believed the long-awaited release would signal a new era
and new image for Apple, but what came to fruition was an
instantaneously familiar product with just the right tweaks,
to ensure the iPhone is the best smartphone yet.
iPhone fans will find instant comfort in the familiarity of
the most recent instalment. At 2.31 inches wide, the handset
weighs in 0.9 ounces lighter and is almost 0.08 of an inch
thinner, but with a wider screen than the iPhone 4.
Personally, I’m pleased Apple didn’t follow Samsung’s lead
regarding screen size. The four-inch screen strikes just the
right balance in increasing visual real estate without proving
cumbersome.
While individually subtle, combined – these changes make
handling the lightweight handset in its brushed aluminium
glory, a breeze.
Internally is where you will find the iPhone 5’s most
drastic improvements. Powered by the new Apple A6
processor and the ability to connect to 4G on most
Australian networks – the iPhone runs faster than ever.
While the two cameras on the iPhone 5 have been
bolstered, there has been criticism regarding a purple flare
that can appear in photos taken directly into a bright light.
In a rare public admission, Apple suggested: “Moving the
camera slightly to change the position at which the bright
light is entering the lens, or shielding the lens with your
hand, should minimise or eliminate the effect.”
Welcome features of the cameras include 720 pixel high
definition and the ability to shoot in panorama mode, which
is fantastic for capturing sporting events and landscape
photography.
Other major and somewhat unexpected changes were
revealed on the accessory front, including new earphones –
dubbed ‘EarPods’ and a lightning connector (power source).
This is the first time that the EarPods have been tinkered
with, but the improvement in comfort and sound quality is
out of sight.
As you might have heard, Apple has ended its love-affair
Unibody case: The new iPhone 5 (above right) has an all-inone
aluminium shell with rear glass panels top and bottom for
Wi-Fi, GPS and Bluetooth reception.
with Google Maps. This has resulted in less accurate data
and information available. Apple has counted those missing
features by adding turn-by-turn navigation thanks to Siri, as
well as live road hazards that are displayed should there be an
accident or road closure on your journey.
As for the lightning connector, it’s much smaller than the
original iPod cable connectors – and can be inserted either
way up. It will be frustrating in the short term to re-establish
your cable connection whether for the office, car or home.
But I’m sure the lightning cable will win over many fans in
the long run.
iOS 6 also adds Passbook for electronic storage of tickets
and vouchers to be activated based on your GPS location –
for example, when you reach the airport or a venue for an
event you have purchased tickets. This will be a fantastic
asset once more organisations catch on – currently Starbucks
and Ticketek cater for Passbook. But until that time, the jury
will remain out.
Unfortunately I’m here to quell rumours of the iPhone 5’s
enhanced battery performance. Whether browsing emails
and the web, texting or listening to the iPod, I find myself
recharging by the end of the working day, even after leaving
the house in the morning close to full battery life.
So the question is – to wait or not to wait to upgrade to
the iPhone 5? From my perspective, if you are eligible for
an upgrade – join the iPhone 5 crowd. It truly offers a better
user experience. If you’re not eligible, update your operating
software and wait it out – the iPhone 4 and 4S are
great phones that will tide you over until the next
instalment. ■
60 MEDICUS October