Samsung
Samsung recently introduced the Galaxy Z Fold4 alongside its smaller Z Flip4 device. Feature rich, as you would expect from a premium Samsung smartphone, these devices offer not only performance, but power efficiencies too, aided by the new Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 CPU. The Z Fold4 model has subtle design improvements over previous models along with improved durability, which is key, as the name suggests this device is a foldable form-factor. In its default ‘Phone’ mode it operates as a 6.2” device, but when opened it provides a 7.6” screen, which enhances the user experience of business applications. The only slight downside to foldable devices is that they are slightly thicker when compared to a standard Smartphone.
Samsung have introduced a couple of other key business features to their premium Galaxy range in DeX and KNOX. Samsung DeX provides a near desktop experience, which allows you to use your Smartphone like a computer by simply connecting the phone to a monitor, keyboard, and mouse. This feature, in my opinion is massively underused by business users today as once configured it removes the need to carry a much heavier laptop into those workplaces that support ‘hot-desking’ or ‘drop-in’ work forces.
The Samsung KNOX Suite helps protect business data in several ways. First, it provides device protection, which helps keep data safe if a device is lost or stolen. Second, it provides application protection, which helps keep your data safe if an application is compromised. Third, it provides containerisation, which helps keep data separate from personal data on a device. This can help protect business data in the event of a breach. Finally, Samsung KNOX Suite also includes other features, such as remote wipe and lock, along with some comprehensive deployment features that can help IT administrators manage their business data securely.
Apple
Apple recently announced it’s release of iOS16 and the new iPhone 14 line-up. Much attention has been focused on faster processors, better screens and much improved camera technologies; however Apple have highlighted a number of features that will benefit business users and help corporate IT departments manage them.
Within iOS 16 there are new personalisation features that can help business users through more intelligence and seamless ways to communicate and to share, it's very much aimed at productivity on the go.
The new designed lock-screen allows for widgets and quick glance data to be configured, so for example upcoming calendar events could be displayed briefly alongside the battery level of your AirPods. Other business Apps can be added to make the new look lock-screen a very effective and productive utility.
Focus mode is another great feature that effectively allows a user to profile their device. This can be useful as it allows for Work and Private profiles to be created therefore enabling the user to have a single device that can function and support different looks in terms of home screens, wallpaper, and applications. Focus mode can also operate in conjunction with the lock screen to ensure only those widgets and apps that apply to each profile are displayed. This feature really helps promote a better work-life balance and enable a greater user experience from the device.
The native mail application has also received some feature improvements that enable improved communication and collaboration. Emails can now be created but sent later, so if you have a mail that you want to create but schedule it to be delivered at a later date or time, that’s now possible. Users can also unsend mail and get reminders to follow up later if required. Should you forget to include an attachment to an email, the mail application will now catch this and ask you if you want to add what's missing.
Live text has been available for a while in photos, but it’s now coming to video. With this feature you can take videos, pause them at any frame and then mark the text and copy it or use it for translation. Another example could be if there's a phone number within the video, you can pause it, capture the number, and quickly call it. There are numerous use-cases for this feature which in essence enables the ability to capture text from a video or photo.
There have been some new security features announced to help enhance user protection. Passkeys can now replace passwords with an easier and safer sign‑in method that uses end to end encryption. It's safe from phishing and data leaks, so if a user signs up for and account on a website, there is a passkey that is stored on the providers servers and there is also a separate passkey on the user’s phone. The two keys need to be recognised to enable a connection and access.
There have been several refinements and updates added to in iOS 16 to assist IT Administrators with deployment and management.
The use of an eSIM over a physical SIM card is becoming more popular and adopted technology by the mobile phone carriers around the world. Apple have added several features that can make managing eSIMs easier. Carrier activation for eSIM allows for automatic activation of an eSIM on supported devices and carriers. Quick Transfer for eSIM means a user can now transfer an eSIM from their previous iPhone to their new iPhone without needing to contact the carrier and adding delays to activation. IT administrators can also prevent end users from accidentally removing or adding unauthorised eSIMs using restrictions within their MDM solution. This all helps IT departments secure and maintain better controls of their mobile devices whilst reducing time and stages from the overall activation process.
These latest smartphones have never been more relevant as businesses look at new ways of embracing Secure Hybrid working and provide the flexibility of device choice, which in turn increases the End User Experience. To ensure you’re making the right buying decisions that can deliver the best business outcomes please reach out to your Computacenter Account team.