iPhone opens up and goes corporate

07-03-2008

by Emmet Ryan

Apple wants the iPhone to be the must-have handset for businesses but analysts still have their doubts about its prospects as an enterprise tool.

It's been a busy time for Apple. Later this month the anointed phone of Cupertino, California will become available to Irish consumers and soon Apple hopes the iPhone will be the must-have device for corporate users as well.

Apple's plan to market the iPhone to businesses from June will see firms that use Microsoft products for e-mail, calendaring, and contact management able to sync these with the iPhone. Staff that use the iPhone will be able to connect to their companies through a secure network connection, and IT departments will be able to erase information stored on the iPhone remotely in case someone loses the device. This last factor clears up some of the security issues that had led to the likes of Forrester Research warning businesses against using the device.

There are still hurdles to be overcome though. Currently Microsoft Exchange is the sole e-mail system that can be linked with the iPhone and Forrester told the Wall Street Journal that this will exclude firms that use alternatives like IBM Lotus Notes. The device has also yet to spread its wings across networks with AT&T still the sole standard bearer in the US and O2 holding exclusivity over the device in Ireland and the UK. Analysts believe a move to expand to other operators could strengthen its popularity amongst business users.

Yet this is still very much a time of celebration for the iconic device. So much so that on Thursday Apple's chief executive Steve Jobs gave venture capitalist John Doerr a big hug. The reason for this public display of platonic manly affection was because Doerr is giving USD100 million to support Apple's efforts to lure software developers to create applications for the device.

Apple's new software developer kit (SDK) will enable pretty much any coder to create applications for the device. Prior to the development of the SDK iPhone owners have officially been able to run only the limited assortment of applications that Apple provides.

Once again though limitations to the process will temper the celebrations somewhat. Any applications that are created will be made available to iPhone users exclusively through a new service on all iPhones called the Apps Store and Apple will only allow programs it approves to be sold through the store. This limitation, which was mooted on Thursday in several reports, might turn off some developers who want more creative and commercial freedom.