Every day, Syracuse University students walk around campus from class to class, usually with their heads down to look at small screens in the palms of their hands. That small screen is typically the latest iPhone, and in two weeks, it will be getting a little bigger.

Apple released Wednesday the newest version of the iPhone: the iPhone 5. The phone is lighter, taller, thinner, wider and faster than the iPhone 4S.

Prior to the release of the phone, Sam Hyman said his iPhone has a positive influence on his life and that it makes his life easier.

“I set it so that I get updates from my schoolwork and appointments I need to attend,” said Hyman, a freshman in S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.

One aspect of the new iPhone’s software, which mainly revolves around iOS 6, involves its mail system. The new phone lets users make settings such that they can list certain people as VIPs. This allows them to access emails from people they need to speak to and hear from the most.

Another key feature is Apple’s calendar app. The new iPhone calendar has an option to view just the current, five-day week. The old phones only allowed users to look at today, month or list.

This will make it easier for Hyman and all Syracuse students alike to see what appointments they have in the week ahead so they can budget their time more efficiently.

“When you’re meeting a lot of new people, it makes it easier to be in contact with them,” said Jake Katz, a freshman management major.

Increased Facebook integration is one direct result of iOS 6 and the iPhone 5. According to the Apple website, the Facebook integration features the ability to have Facebook friends’ information added directly to contacts.

“Your Facebook friends’ profile information is integrated into contacts, so when they update an email address or phone number you automatically stay up to date,” said an Apple.com press release.

After the release of the highly anticipated iPhone, David Molta, director of the Bachelor of Science program in Information Management and Technology in the School of Information Studies, said he wasn’t surprised with the announcement.

However, he did point out one key feature on the new iPhone that will have a very large, positive effect on Syracuse students and faculty.

“Apple added support for the 5-gigahertz unlicensed communications band for Wi-Fi. SU has been supporting 5-gigahertz on AirOrange for many years, so students will see significantly better Wi-Fi performance,” Molta said.

In the end, Syracuse students and students at colleges all over the country and world are likely to buy the iPhone. The Wi-Fi performance mentioned by Molta and the Facebook integration features mentioned on the Apple website attribute to the notion that the phone release will have a definitive effect on campuses everywhere.

Published on September 13, 2012 at 4:04 am

Contact David: dlauterb@syr.edu