Technology

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UK productivity has suffered in recent years, often described as ailing or in crisis, and the Labour government has made improving productivity levels central to its new agenda. The consequences of ‘ailing’ productivity for the UK is far-reaching, from lower wages, to job losses and reduced economic growth. All of which are placing a strain on businesses, individuals and communities alike.

The productivity puzzle is further complicated by the lingering impact of the seismic shifts the world of work went through during the pandemic. Recent trends have seen a desire for flexibility battle with corporate mandates on returning to the office. Amazon’s recent shift to a full time office mandate was met with uproar from employees, but bosses remain insistent that this is the best move for the business. And, they aren’t alone, in the UK, the finance industry is rumored to be eyeing a full time return to the office. Such mandates have sparked all sorts of criticism about employee morale and productivity.

The problem is clearly a complex one, but its solution is hardly likely to lie in employee effort alone. In fact, the key may potentially lie in an expected place - it may sit in the technology we all use everyday.

It can happen from anywhere

There is plenty of evidence that when done right, hybrid working doesn’t impact business productivity. In fact, many of the trends out there suggest that it is when technology fails employees that they feel disconnected, unmotivated, and unproductive.

This is hardly surprising when 93% of communication is nonverbal, from body language to facial expressions and tone of voice, we absorb a multitude of external signals every day that lead to deeper relationships, collaboration and improving overall productivity.

For businesses, it is effective use of technology that can help the divide between home and the office to disappear. Video conferencing solutions allow that allow all team members to be equally seen and heard, can help build a sense of connection and collaboration, even when team members are physically separated.

The AI behind the connection

Consider for a moment, the frequency of your meetings nowadays where the split between home and office can often leave remote participants relegated to a few tiny pixels on a screen, unable to participate in the in-room dynamics.

AI-powered framing tech solves this issue by automatically framing everyone in the space, brining them up close so that remote participants can see and understand everything that’s going on. It’s a minor change, but one that can transform morale and engagement.

It’s not just what you see, but what you hear too. Advanced audio technology is vital for establishing a focused and productive meeting atmosphere. Background noise is a common challenge in remote working, disrupting communication and distracting others. By filtering out unwelcome sounds, AI-driven noise cancellation enhances audio clarity, thereby boosting engagement, contributions, and, naturally, productivity.

Additionally, audio technology that resolves 'double talk' issues—allowing multiple speakers to be heard clearly during dynamic discussions—is crucial for supporting productivity in hybrid meetings.

Reimagining the workplace

Embracing a technologically advanced and truly hybrid approach to work can be the real different between a productive and unproductive team. These days, a traditional office spaces are increasingly seen as barriers to productivity. To thrive in this new era, organizations must embrace innovative approaches to work design and technology.

Philip Ross, a leading expert on workplace transformation, argues that we need to "unwork" our current practices. By questioning outdated assumptions and habits, we can create more flexible, efficient, and fulfilling work environments.

Technology, when used strategically, can be a powerful tool for boosting productivity. AI, automation, and collaboration tools can streamline tasks, enhance communication, and create a sense of community. However, it's essential to remember that technology is not a silver bullet. The human element remains crucial - business should see the two as intertwined not mutually exclusive.

A future of human-centric technology

A truly productive workplace is one where employees feel valued, engaged, and empowered. By prioritizing human-centric design and investing in innovative office technology, employers can create a future where productivity and wellbeing thrive.

To achieve this vision, businesses must adopt a holistic approach to workplace transformation. This involves not only investing in technology but also encouraging a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement. By embracing the power of technology and human ingenuity, the UK can unlock its full potential and emerge as a global leader in productivity.

Building a competitive edge

People need to feel connected in order to do their best work. They like to feel confident in meetings and want authentic ways of communicating with each other. They want to add value; to be seen and heard.

This feeling of connection – boosted by technology that is inclusive of everyone in hybrid and office settings – will inspire a new age of productivity in businesses. And who knows, with the right investment in people through technology, we might be able to solve this productivity puzzle once and for all.

Working remotely? We list the best iOS productivity apps.

This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

Now is the best time to grab that iPad Mini or the best TV ever that you've been eying all year.

In December, Prime Video has a variety of content dropping throughout the month – and we're not just talking about TV shows and some of the best Prime Video movies. From Christmas specials, to live events, to docuseries, as we settle down for some quiet festive nights in, we'd be surprised if you didn't find something on December's schedule to enjoy.

Out of all the best streaming services, Prime Video has become known for its bountiful offerings each month that standout from the rest of the streaming pack. This month is no different. On December 1 alone, over 100 movies land on Prime Video and there's some real cult classics in the mix from Fatal Attraction to Total Recall joining our watchlist.

It's not just movies that you should be noting down in Prime Video's latest drop, but Christmas special Jack in Time for Christmas bringing many comedy stars, and Mr. Christmas himself Michael Bublé on December 3. Here's everything new on Prime Video in December 2024.

Everything new on Prime Video in December 2024

Arriving on December 1

All The Queen’s Men seasons 1-3 (TV show)
Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations seasons 1-8 (TV show)
Babylon 5 seasons 1-5 (TV show)
Falcon Crest seasons 1-9 (TV show)
Hatfields & McCoys (TV show)
Knots Landing seasons 1-14 (TV show)
Nikita seasons 1-4 (TV show)
Nip/Tuck seasons 1-7 (TV show)
Sisters seasons 1-6 (TV show)
A Haunting in Venice (movie)
A Scanner Darkly (movie)
After Hours (movie)
Alexander the Great (movie)
All Dogs Go to Heaven 2 (movie)
Almost Famous (movie)
Amistad (movie)
An All Dogs Christmas Carol (movie)
An Inconvenient Truth (movie)
Anger Management (movie)
Back to School (movie)
Balls Out (movie)
Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice Ultimate Edition (movie)
Bio-Dome (movie)
Born to be Wild (movie)
Bulletproof Monk (movie)
Cadillac Man (movie)
Child’s Play (movie)
Chorus Line (movie)
Cop Land (movie)
Critters (movie)
Death on the Nile (movie)
Deep Cover (movie)
Dick (movie)
Duck You Sucker – A Fistful Of Dynamite (movie)
El Cantante (movie)
Fatal Attraction (movie)
Ghost Town (movie)
Green Room (movie)
Gunfight at the O.K. Corral (movie)
Hansel and Gretel (movie)
Havoc (movie)
Hellraiser III: Hell On Earth (movie)
Hellraiser IV: Bloodline (movie)
Hellraiser VII: Deader (movie)
Hellraiser: Hellseeker (movie)
Hellraiser: Hellworld (movie)
Hellraiser: Inferno (movie)
Hercules (movie)
Hostile Witness (movie)
Hot Under The Collar (movie)
If Looks Could Kill (movie)
Imagine That (movie)
Jackie Chan’s First Strike (movie)
Joker (movie)
Justice League (movie)
Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (movie)
Last Vegas (movie)
Lawman (movie)
Lions for Lambs (movie)
Lost & Found (movie)
Major League (movie)
Mata Hari (movie)
Men at Work (movie)
Miami Blues (movie)
Monster Trucks (movie)
Mr. Nanny (movie)
Murder on The Orient Express (movie)
Nutcracker: The Motion Picture (movie)
Once Upon A Time In The West (movie)
One Crazy Summer (movie)
Osmosis Jones (movie)
Out of Time (movie)
Overnight Delivery (movie)
Paycheck (movie)
Pet Sematary Two (movie)
Pocketful of Miracles (movie)
Rain Man (movie)
Red Dawn (movie)
Revolutionary Road (movie)
Road to Perdition (movie)
Sabrina (movie)
Shooter (movie)
Sicario (movie)
Sicario: Day of the Soldado (movie)
Soapdish (movie)
Stephen King’s Thinner (movie)
Stop-Loss (movie)
SubUrbia (movie)
Tank Girl (movie)
Teen Wolf (movie)
The 11th Hour (movie)
The Adventures of Pluto Nash (movie)
The Art of War (movie)
The Batman (movie)
The Battle of Britain (movie)
The Brady Bunch Movie (movie)
The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course (movie)
The Golden Child (movie)
The Great Train Robbery (movie)
The Island of Dr. Moreau (movie)
The Land that Time Forgot (movie)
The Last Waltz (movie)
The Perfect Holiday (movie)
The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes (movie)
The Thomas Crown Affair (movie)
The Thomas Crown Affair (movie)
The Untouchables (movie)
The Warriors (movie)
The Witches (movie)
The Wood (movie)
Thelma & Louise (movie)
Total Recall (movie)
Twilight Zone: The Movie (movie)
Under Fire (movie)
Vision Quest (movie)
Walking Tall (movie)
With Honors (movie)
Witness (movie)

Arriving on December 2

Angry Birds Mystery Island Part 3 (TV show)
Jack in Time for Christmas (Christmas special)

Arriving on December 4

Pop Culture Jeopardy! (TV show)

Arriving on December 5

Glitter & Greed: The Lisa Frank Story (TV show)
The Red Virgin (movie)

Arriving on December 6

ONE Fight Night (live event)
The Sticky (movie)

Arriving on December 10

Secret Level (TV show)
The Bikeriders (movie)

Arriving on December 11

Knives Out (movie)

Arriving on December 13

Beau Is Afraid (movie)

Arriving on December 19

Beast Games (TV show)
The Creator (movie)

Arriving on December 23

ChiefsAholic: A Wolf in Chief’s Clothing (documentary)

Arriving on December 25

The Equalizer 2 (movie)

Arriving on December 27

Culpa Tuya (“Your Fault”) (movie)
When You Finish Saving the World (movie)

Arriving on December 31

A Quiet Place: Day One (movie)

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As we reflect on the recent launch of the iPhone 16 Pro, there is no doubt that Apple has delivered yet another technically impressive device, packed with iterative improvements in hardware and software. But the conversation around this latest release extends far beyond improved battery life, camera enhancements, and design tweaks—it is also about the transformative power of AI and its potential to redefine how consumers interact with their mobile devices.

With its promise of Apple Intelligence, the latest generation of iPhones has set the stage for what could be a pivotal shift in mobile technology. While AI has long been used behind the scenes in smartphones, quietly optimizing processes such as battery life, predictive maintenance, and app performance, we are now standing at the threshold of a new era—one in which AI will move from the background to the forefront of the mobile device user experience.

AI’s role in mobile devices today: optimization without awareness

Until now, AI has played a vital but largely invisible role in enhancing smart device performance, with AI-driven algorithms helping to manage power consumption and ensuring that consumers’ devices can last longer between charges. Smartphone cameras have long been using AI to recognize scenes and adjust settings automatically, or facilitate predictive text, which helps users streamline typing, autocorrect errors and anticipate common combinations of words. These features have all resulted in a better user experience and enhanced the value of phones and tablets, but they have not fundamentally changed how users interact with their devices.

In fact, most consumers are unaware of the significant role AI already plays in these background tasks. A recent Pew Research Center survey found that about half of Americans are aware they are interacting with AI within their lives weekly, and only 27% understand that they are interacting with AI constantly or several times a day. That is precisely the challenge AI must overcome if it is to cross the transformative threshold. The true potential of AI lies not in passive optimizations, but in more active engagement with users, shaping the way they utilize their mobile devices in real time.

Imagine a mobile interface that intuitively understands your preferences, anticipates your needs, and adapts to your behavior in real time. This is the future we are moving toward—one where AI-driven interfaces offer a level of personalization and convenience that unlocks entirely new ways for us to communicate, create and experience.

Apple Intelligence, as integrated into the iPhone 16, promises to take this leap. While much of its functionality will roll out over the coming months, it is designed to enhance consumer experiences by predicting what users want to do next—whether it is suggesting apps based on recent activity or providing personalized content recommendations. Its potential is enormous, and though the iPhone 16 is grabbing a lot of recent headlines, exciting AI strides are being made across the industry.

Overcoming the barriers: technology, privacy, and trust

Of course, crossing this AI threshold does not come without challenges. To deliver transformative experiences, mobile devices must be equipped with powerful neural processing units (NPUs) and sophisticated software capable of supporting real-time AI interactions. And any disruptions in the global supply chain of the critical chipsets could have impede the progress of AI. The iPhone 16’s hardware, with its enhanced memory and upgraded processor, is laying the groundwork, but the real test will come when features like Apple Intelligence are fully operational.

Equally important is addressing the ethical and privacy concerns that come with AI-driven personalization. Consumers are increasingly wary of how their data is being used, and for AI to succeed, companies must prioritize transparency and security. Another study by Pew Research Center found that 71% of Americans are concerned about how companies use their data. Apple's commitment to on-device processing, where sensitive data stays on the device, is a step in the right direction.

In the long term, for AI to become a fundamental part of the mobile user experience, companies must build trust by demonstrating that it can enhance security, efficiency, and convenience without compromising user privacy.

The potential of AI-driven mobile experiences

The iPhone 16 and its AI capabilities are just the beginning. What will truly differentiate future smart devices is how well they integrate AI into the user's daily life.

We are already seeing glimpses of this future in features such as Google’s Circle-to-Search on Pixel devices and Samsung’s AI-powered photo editor tools, which allow users to remove unwanted objects from photos with ease. Tools that boost productivity, such as call transcripts and live translations, are invaluable for busy people and those working in a multi-lingual setting. AI can also offer breakthrough aids for individuals with disabilities. For instance, cameras can give visual prompts to help visually impaired people take photos effortlessly.

We have also seen speculation about whether AI features could trigger the next supercycle of handset upgrades. According to IDC, “the buzz created by Gen AI smartphones, (is) expected to grow faster than any mobile innovation we have seen to date and forecast to capture 19% of the market with 234 million shipments this year." Some analysts predict that the integration of Apple Intelligence will drive early adopters to upgrade en masse, while others argue that economic factors may temper consumer enthusiasm. According to a Canalys report, in 2024 16% of global smartphone shipments will be AI enabled, growing to 64% by 2028 resulting in a staggering 63% Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR).

It is important to note that while AI has the potential to transform mobile experiences, it may not be enough to convince the average consumer to spend $1,200 or more on a new device, especially if the benefits are not immediately tangible. The real question is whether AI can deliver enough value to justify the cost of upgrading, and that remains to be seen.

Conclusion: the future of AI in mobile devices

It will be up to consumers whether manufacturers are delivering on the promise of AI, but we are clearly on the cusp of something transformative. The challenge for smartphone makers is to deliver tangible, meaningful benefits to users while maintaining their trust and safeguarding their privacy. If they can deliver on these promises, the future of mobile technology looks brighter than ever.

We list the best AI tools.

This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

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