Face Time - iPhone 4
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What is Face Time?
Face Time incorporates video chat and telephone calling in one interactive application. In a location with Wi-Fi technology, one can interpersonally communicate with friends, family, associates, and acquaintances. This feature is exclusive to the newest edition to the Apple cell phone, iPhone 4.
For many years, people have been anticipating the introduction of video interactivity on their cellular devices. In 2007, when the iPhone was first introduced to our society, it appeared to be the "all-in-one technological device" (Fidlin). This industry has been plagued with the frequency of changes in competitive advantage frontiers. The introduction of the iPhone increased Apple's market share immensely as this device was the first of its kind to provide touch screen technology as well as many other applications.
- According to Dave Fidlin
- "Apple has continued to enhance the iPhone with each new model that is introduced. A second-generation model, the iPhone 3G, was released in 2008. It is faster than its predecessor, and is equipped to work in tandem with GPS units. A follow-up, third-generation model was introduced to consumers in 2009. The iPhone 3GS has such new features as video capabilities and voice recording software" (Fidlin).
Video Demonstration
Benefits in Business
- Communicating within Divisions of your Corporation across the United States
Some people believe that business relations deteriorate due to "space" between verbal and non-verbal communication. Face Time can remedy this situation and eliminate the gap. Meetings between managers and subordinates across different divisions can be eaisly conducted. Brief updates, evaluation meetings, and even interviews can take place utilizing the iPhone 4 Face Time technologies.
- Meeting with International Associates
Face Time also shrinks the gap across international boundaries. Where as executives might have previously expensed large sums of money for business travel, they now have the opportunity to meet clientes and partners in business through Face Time capabilities. This option is easy and more economical.
- Visual Conference Calling
By utilizing Face Time between departments, one gains the advantages of experiencing the non-verbal aspect of communication. The hand-held advantage and instantaneous delivery of informtion of the iPhone 4 replaces previous speaker phone confernece calls or web-cam desktop computer meetings.
- Business Integration
With seamless connectivity and secure password encripted networks, the iPhone 4 has the potential to be of great advantage to one's business. The Mobile Exchange software can easily configure with pre-existing corporate email, calanders, and contact lists. This makes the transition to new technology and performance of future tasks effortless. Hardware encription ensures that all information is secure to your company and only those with the password. Including "device policies, restrictions and strong encryption methods [the iPhone] provide[s] a layered approach to keeping your information secure" (Apple). Business leaders can also deploy various corporate services directly from their iPhone. These devices can be individualized to meet the needs of IT and end-users.
Personal Advantages
- Non-Verbal Communication with Family and Friends
Not only does one gain the capability of observing non-verbal communication with Face Time, but you also have the ability to watch your nephew grow up, see your husband stationed in Iraq, and communicate with your grandparents in Florida.
- Ease of Use
Equipped with two cameras allows users to quickly flip views. The design of the phone has made it easy to operate as individuals can utilize Face Time with the touch of a button. This is an important feature, especially as a large portion of our population is increasing in age and appreciates easy to use technology.
As displayed in the image to the left, with the touch of a button, Face Time can be turned on. In a Wi-Fi enabled area, the user makes a normal phone call. When the call is connected to the second party, another single touch to the Face Time button immediately initiates the split-screen camera mode for easy, instantaneous face-to-face communication.
Technological Influence
For years Apple has been at the fore-front of the computer industry. Apple is constantly bringing innovative new products and services to market that set the standard which all other technology developers hope to obtain. The iPhone has been wildly successful around the world and has influenced a number of areas within the personal computing and smart-phone industry. According to Kevin Tofel of gigaom.com, the iPhone4 will influence future smart-phone development in 5 ways:
- Front Facing Camera and Video Calling
- Platform Engineering and Development
- Screen Resolution
- HD Video Recording Capabilities
- Ever Improving User Interfaces
Another area of smart-phone technology that has been greatly influence by Apple and the iPhone is gaming. Smart-phone gaming has really come into its own because of the literally thousands of free games and apps that are available for the iPhone.
- Exceptional Content:
Apple has made a point of designing and making available games with exceptional content. These games are entertaining, easy to play, and wildly popular with iPhone users. Also, more and more game designers are creating games for the iPhone platform because of the iPhone's world-wide popularity.
- High Quality Graphics
The iPhone has become the premier platform for mobile gaming in large part due to its powerful and high-quality graphics capabilities. The new iPhone 4 has the highest resolution ever made available on a smart-phone and is setting the bar within the industry.
While Apple and the iPhone have influence many areas of technology, perhaps the most important influence Apple has had has been on the telecom industry. The technology and services offered by the telecom industry have changed drastically since the release of the iPhone as the industry attempts to utilize the capabilities of the iPhone and accommodate the needs and desires of iPhone users.
- Influence on Back-End Infrastructure:
The Apple iPhone has had a massive impact on the back-end infrstructure that supports smart-phone technology. The iPhone uses large amounts of memory, has powerful graphics capabilities, and uses numerous software applications. Everything developed for the iPhone will eventually trickle down and benefit all phone users as the advances made for the iPhone are placed into smart-phones made by other manufacturers.
- 3G and 4G Networks:
The advent of the smart-phone, more specifically the iPhone, has been one of the main drivers for the development and advancement of wireless networks. As phones become more powerful more will be demanded of the networks that support them. The Face Time application for iPhone 4 will have a massive impact on wireless network capabilities. This application will require huge amounts of bandwidth and speed and as this application becomes more popular, the telecom networks will be forced to adapt and evolve to support it.
Apple's Future
Apple is dedicated to becoming the first mover in innovation throughout the digital media industry. Throughout the decades, Apple has persevered to retain some of the best marketers, engineers, and personnel within the industry.
As was with the past, Apple's future is generally unknown. It is hard to determine what the company will focus its research and development efforts on in the future. If history were to repeat itself, it can be inferred that wherever technology takes the consumer in the future, Apple will be among the innovative leaders paving the way.
Steve Jobs (CEO) is dedicated to the advancement of research and development. Some insiders believe that his commitment will not be relinquished in the event of a subordinate taking over the company. Here is a list of a couple events that could severely impact the dominant nature of Apple in the electronics industry:
- Competition playing catch-up: With the iPhone, the competition has been very nimble. They have closed the gap on features and are upping the ante on applications. With the iPad the competition is reacting even faster. This brings extra pressure on the R&D segment of Apple's operations, although Apple doesn't seem too complacent about the situation.
- Asia: the halo of Apple is virtually non-existent in India. So when they keep launching products in a delayed fashion (in the wake of established competition) or let traders have a field day, they are bound to be seen as expensive me-toos who offer ‘poor value for money’. And in India ‘paisa vasool‘ is a major pre-requisite. We want our gadgets to be filled with all possible features but come at an affordable price (BhatNaturally).
See Also
Apple's Website: http://www.apple.com/iphone/features/facetime.html
References
Apple. iPhone in Business - Integration. apple.com. Web. 1 December 2010. <http://www.apple.com/iphone/business/integration/>
Fidlin, Dave. The History of the iPhone. eHow.com. Web. 18 November 2010. <http://www.ehow.com/about_5377961_history-iphone.html#ixzz15fRDBB75>.
BhatNaturally. What's the Future of Apple? lbhat.com Web. 2 December 2010. <http://www.lbhat.com/apple/whats-the-future-of-apple/>.
Tofel, Kevin C. 5 Ways iPhone 4 Will Influence Future Smartphones. gigaom.com Web. 4 December 2010. <http://gigaom.com/2010/06/24/iphone-4-smartphone-influence/>
Touchgeek. Iphone's Influence in the Gaming Industry. touchgeek.com. Web. 4 December 2010. <http://www.touchgeek.com/iphone%E2%80%99s-influence-in-the-gaming-industry/>
Blog.Ingenius. iPhone Effects: The iPhone’s influence on the telecom industry blog.ingenius.com Web. 4 December 2010. <http://blog.ingenius.com/2007/07/18/iphone-effects-the-iphones-influence-on-the-telecom-industry/>