People, it’s time to take back your life – at least the essential part that happens while you’re sleeping.
How many of us leave our mobile phones on at night just in case of an emergency phone call, only to end up being disturbed or distracted — or even just paranoid — about an email or alert to do with work?
For all the innovation we’ve seen out of Apple, it’s amazing to think it took the tech giant so long to come up with the ‘do not disturb’ function with the release of the iPhone 5 and operating system iOS 6.
The setting allows users to program their device to allow for only certain phone calls to come through, for example from family members in case of an emergency. That means you can put your device on silent, while still ensuring you’ll hear those essential phone calls.
It’s almost like a return to your landline: something that would only make noises late at night, if it were truly necessary.
As for the actual iPhone 5 unveiled in San Francisco overnight, it’s got a bigger screen meaning more room for icons, but will be 18% thinner and 20% lighter than its previous versions. It also has the capacity to work with faster data networks and will allow Facetime to work while on the run on cellular networks – previously only available over WiFi connections.
The other useful parts of the new operating system include navigation help from Siri, satellite imagery and new mapping software that includes 3D building view on maps. There’s also a useful ‘Passport’ addition that stores things like plane tickets, gift cards and concert tickets.
And its email enhancements allow users to now create VIPs from their contacts, making them more easy to flag and reply to.
iOS 6 will be available on the iPhone 4 and 4s as well as the iPad 2 and new iPad. The iPhone 5’s out next week.
The ‘do not disturb’ function’s the kind of simple innovation we need more of. Tools that help our productivity, rather than interrupting our lives.
Will the new enhancements help you? Let us know below.