So the new iPhone5 is a real powerhouse, with its new A6 processor and powerful integrated graphics.
I’d love to be able to put all that power to better use when I’m desk based and not out and about. Apple has already hinted that the new dock connector will support multiple functions beyond charging, and we’ve already seen the new djay App providing multi-channel and multi-route audio using the headphone jack and the new lightning connector.
With the new iPad (4th gen) and iPad Mini sporting the new lightning connector too, it’s no surprise that Apple has quickly released a lightning to VGA adapter and the even better lightning to HDMI adapter which support mirroring on both these and the iPhone5.
You are now able to connect your iPhone up to a desktop monitor, and have your iPhone provide a desktop workspace for you to manage your email, web and Apps on a nice large 20" display. Currently this works using AirPlay Mirror, but the resolution is low and doesn’t take full advantage of the 1136 x 640 display.
Imagine an iOS Desktop Mode where the Apps dynamically scaled down and ran at something closer to 1×1 scale allowing more information to be displayed in the available space.
Now pair a Bluetooth keyboard for easy typing, and how about iOS intelligently providing a mouse when in Desktop mode? The iPhone display in Desktop Mode could work like an Apple Touchpad – moving the mouse pointer around, tap to click, and even providing gesture support.
Now you’ve got a full working desktop solution, with minimal changes required to iOS. Desktop Mode could provide a new OSX style interface, with a larger dock showing your running Apps and lets say the much fabled widgets ever make it into iOS7, they could appear as larger more functional versions on the full desktop.
This post was written by Rob Gordon, an IT geek, gadget lover and blogger. Rob has been using the internets since 1994 when the only streaming video was that coffee pot in Cambridge (rip)….
Follow Rob on Twitter – @robgordon – about.me/robgordonuk
