Apple event: iPhone gets a serious enterprise boost

Thu Mar 6, 2008 1:37PM EST

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Exchange support, true push email, pro-level security and configuration features -- they're all in store for the iPhone as Apple tries to position its touch-screen handset as a true competitor to BlackBerrys, Palm Treos, and Windows Mobile devices.

Apple VP Phil Schiller said the new features, which will allow business users to instantly sync their Exchange email, contacts, and events, will be in the next iPhone software update. (No word yet on when the update will arrive.) (Update: Looks like it won't be until June.)

Specifically, the iPhone will get support for Microsoft's ActiveSync protocol, which taps into-and syncs with-corporate Exchange servers, pulling info into the iPhone's existing email, calendar, and contacts applications. In the past, large business and corporate email networks have avoided using the iPhone because of compatibility, but now, that will no longer be an issue.

Also on tap are such must-have business features as Cisco VPN support (for creating secure tunnels into corporate servers), remote iPhone configuration (for rolling out software to an entire fleet of iPhone-toting employees), remote wipe for lost or stolen iPhones, and enterprise-level Wi-Fi security (including WPA2 encryption).

All these new features will surely make the iPhone, which hasn't been able to sync with corporate servers until now, much more attractive to big business. (The iPhone originally launched with IMAP support, which lets you sync with IMAP-enabled Exchange email, but it doesn't work with events or contacts, and there's no push email support.) If you've been stuck with a BlackBerry for work and have been dying to switch over to an iPhone, now's the time to pipe up.

Of course, the iPhone still lacks a physical QWERTY keypad, which will give many enterprise users-especially those who love cranking out messages with their thumbs-a moment of pause.

The announcement came during an event Thursday in Cupertino, during which Apple is rolling out details on its upcoming iPhone software development kit. Stay tuned.

Update: Get all the iPhone SDK details right here. 

Comments on Apple event: iPhone gets a serious enterprise boost

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  • 27 Posted by tbraider on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:57PM EDT Report Abuse

    yep, tell me when a 3G iPhone is out and I'll sheck out the cash

  • 28 Posted by satrich on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:06PM EDT Report Abuse

    WoW! Now the iPhone has my attention. I will wait till June and see if those new features will be added.IMPORTANT! I don't want to pay a fortune for this upgraded phone. The most I have ever paid for a cell phone is $200 (for my DASH phone).

  • 29 Posted by nickynick2rj on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:37PM EDT Report Abuse

    i'm going to get one in about 4-6 years. ya i know it's a really long time but i just got a new cell for christmas and dont want to waste money

  • 30 Posted by mikef2282 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:19PM EDT Report Abuse

    my company uses Verizon! so i am stuck with a blackberry anyway!!!! how long until Apple gets smart and makes it availble for people who dont use ATT? then i would grad one up in a heart beat...Please Apple please....

  • 31 Posted by sorincroitoru on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:33PM EDT Report Abuse

    Unless iPhone goes 3G, they are still going to lag in credibility. Some European markets had to downgrade their networks to support iPhone. And again the third party app support is lacking. This is a step backwards...from any 3G Windows Mobile phone.I will consider it as a viable option only then, but until then, it remains just a cool toy.

  • 32 Posted by sevsevenup on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:14PM EDT Report Abuse

    the iphone is really cool, but if you are going to be a biusness person you should get a blackberry

  • 33 Posted by alexr_ on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:50PM EDT Report Abuse

    They still need hardware keyboard. iPhone is not anywhere close to BlackBerry for long emails, and Blackberry is not yet anywhere close to iPhone as MP3 player.

  • 34 Posted by justin_topia on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:45PM EDT Report Abuse

    3G is what im waiting for, the edge network is too slow

  • 36 Posted by schungd5 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:08PM EDT Report Abuse

    iPhone and BlackBerry... which is better??? Maybe the iPhone

  • 37 Posted by suavevision@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:46PM EDT Report Abuse

    They will have 6 generations of the iphone just like they did the ipod.They like to revamp everything,so i would not expect a solution to all the problems iphone has till atleast the 4th gen model.

  • 40 Posted by mlow936 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:23PM EDT Report Abuse

    no qwerty!? big deal. it's so easy to type on the iphone. the predictive text is alsmost flawless.

  • 41 Posted by ldogg2884 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:58PM EDT Report Abuse

    I hope they don't "corner the business world". Not a big fan of apple (iPhone, iPod, iTouch, etc.) I think they charge way too much and give so little (even more so than their competitors) but because their name is Apple, people buy it. Case in point, in my opinion, the iPod is inferior to Microsoft's Zune. But I'm sure iPod is still the leading seller. It reminds me of videogames. Back in the 80's Nintendo was the brand name associated with the industry (even if you had a Sega, the older generation still called it a Nintendo) same with Playstation. Yes, I am rambling because its almost time for me to go home. LOL

  • 42 Posted by blessedpkd2 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:09PM EDT Report Abuse

    Although these are good first steps, until the consumer can copy, cut, paste, and move information, it's still not walking. I would also love to be able to send contact information to other contacts in the phone. Come on Apple!!! Catch up!!!

  • 43 Posted by tombeardo on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:15PM EDT Report Abuse

    I've typed on the IPhone before and I guarantee you I can type 10 times faster on my Treo with two thumbs than any IPhone user. The IPhone keyboard is horrible especially this need for "reasonable amount of dexterity."

  • 45 Posted by bob44x16 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:10PM EDT Report Abuse

    Hey! Here's a thought... Why don't you make the darn iPhone support Flash on the web browser? All that tech and yet it's worthless on about half the websites being developed. Sheesh.

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