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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  • 46 Posted by thomaspaulmccoy on Thu Mar 6, 2008 5:05PM EST Report Abuse

    Lack of a physical keyboard will keep Blackberry THE option of choice for many. I cannot type efficiently on the virtual Apple kb.

  • 47 Posted by dbz4ever on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:39PM EDT Report Abuse

    Well, I'll wait until the G3 iPhone come out, *then* I'll reconsider to waste money on one.

  • 48 Posted by amploan on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:53PM EDT Report Abuse

    Sorry but the iPhones qwerty is bad. It needs to be in Widescreen format (landscape) to make the keys easier for people that have bigger hands. Also, wait until the Sony Ericsson's XPERIA X1 comes out (with and HD screen to boot!!!). Slide out qwerty, touch screen, aGPS, Bluetooth%

  • 49 Posted by zachjmack777 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:58PM EDT Report Abuse

    While I admire and applaud Apple for their skill and ingenuity in creating something that is so desirable that virtually the entire industry has been stumbling over itself to copy, I still find huge flaws. Now sure, its easy to pick apart someone else's work, but here is why I still feel that the CURRENT iphone is lacking true dominance. #1 I know this has been beat to death, but I'll say it again, LOCKING THE iPHONE into ONE network to me was the #1 reason for not buying it. I have had bad experiences with AT&T through and through. Hopefully their upcoming "Billion dollar investment" will improve their operations, but it will take a lot to convince me. (IMHO their network and customer service leave much to be desired and I have worked in this industry). #2 Lack of wireless broadband, support. yeah I know it has wifi(b) , but if Apple wants to be taken seriously in a world of 3G + mobile devices, I feel it needs to step up in a big way. #3 While, I feel the form of the iPhone is nearly flawless, I question whether users will be "OK" without the physical buttons to press. Like it or not, many users operate their phones one handed (Frequently while driving) and many times go by touch. Now, I realize that the sales of iphones somewhat disproves this theory. However, I would submit that many of these people have had to make compromises and simply do not feel the lack of tactile feedback to be a concern. That is, they are people who simply talk on the phone or perhaps are "Lite" users who have minimal on the go calling needs. I will concede that this is the least of the iPhone's worries as these concerns can be rather easily skirted with voice activation etc... BUT the lack of carrier choice and true non-wifi broadband browsing I feel is a BIG mistake. In my personal situation, I may have considered the iphone instead of my current MotoQ had it not been for the network. I believe that Apple (Sadly) is slipping towards the loathsome Microsoft model of creating so many layers of proprietary product that a user is a virtual slave to the machine and in this case network. (For the sake of this editorial, I am reserving "Unlocked" iPhones to a outlying category which is rarely touched by the average mainstream buyer.) After so many words of woe, I will end with some positive thoughts. The iPhone, like the first iPod, has some growing to do (IMHO). Once some of the more offensive quirks and kinks are worked out (Network choices and wireless broadband) of the business model, I feel that iPhone will truly attain a dominant status in the wireless industry and eventually be as prolific as the Moto RAZR (I mean, show me a cell phone co./store/kiosk where there isn't SOME form of the RAZR). Like most things, I feel the second run product line is usually the better one. Until the "Better one" comes around, neither AT&T, nor Apple have my wireless phone business. But, the horizon is bright! Konrad [url]http://www.airsoftreports.com[/url]

  • 50 Posted by ctbzacs444 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:32PM EDT Report Abuse

    nothing like a trackball that changes colors...happy RIM owner

  • 51 Posted by scott_hansen_e on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:10PM EDT Report Abuse

    the iphone's exterior needs an update, maybe different colors. More companies need to get their phones (wider phone selection) here, for instance look at the phones that are available in Europe and Asia, cooler models may make for other companies to gain for those who aren't PDA cell phone lovers.

  • 52 Posted by tim.mortgage on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:10PM EDT Report Abuse

    It doesn't matter how great the IPOD gets if it is going to stay on the monopoly carrier AT&T. What's that about? RIM is on most major carriers offering true competition when it comes to wireless service. So congratulations on your great new IPOD. Too bad you don't have a choice on service.

  • 53 Posted by tkuprel on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:12PM EDT Report Abuse

    The typing correction feature on the iPhone is remarkably accurate at guessing the words that you want -- I'm able to type quite fast, so the "lack of a QWERTY keyboard is really a bit of a line for people who haven't made the leap of faith and just dove in and started typing on one ...

  • 54 Posted by bigmeeze on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:07PM EDT Report Abuse

    Sprint has the best internet service of all companies, AT&T is painfully slow and will always hamper the effectiveness of the phone. Everything else they do from a manufacturing/support standpoint is all cosmetic until AT&T buffs up and takes a step forward in fixing their molasses like web. As for the cosmetics, lets get some copy/paste, and the ability to delete text messages and do away from the AIM style message system. My Iphone is cool for the ability to flip on music when I find myself with some time to kill without the need to carry a regular ipod (which only gets airplane use now). It is also nice when I feel like looking something up while on the throne at home and my wifi can kick in.

  • 55 Posted by mcooper06 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:13PM EDT Report Abuse

    Great.. Apple jumps from their own propriatary system to Microsoft Active Sync propriatary system... Let's quit letting the tail wag the dog here... Demand SyncML! SYNC M-L SYNC M-L SYNC M-L SYNC M-L OK, rant over.

  • 56 Posted by jkearns13 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:36PM EDT Report Abuse

    I find the virtual touchscreen keyboard to work much better than a "physical" qwerty keyboard on other phones such as a blackberry or blackjack phone. The auto correcting works amazing and since I don't actually have to pinpoint and depress an actual button means it is actually much faster once you gain the confidence in your thumbing skills and trust in the software to correct your lightning fast typing. One can only truly see the benefit by using it and gaining a feel for it.

  • 57 Posted by ejdrouillard on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:52PM EDT Report Abuse

    Awesome. The iPhone has become so central to my life (it's literally my camera, calendar, personal organizer, GPS, phonebook, computer, all-purpose communicator and video viewer) that I'll more than likely buy a new one if they release a newer (lighter?) model with 3G, and I won't even feel slightly ripped off. Now it's going to be my gaming platform and workcenter? Ridiculous. Anyone who complains about the keyboard needs to spend a day with it - I can comfortably type faster than anyone I know with a physical smartphone keyboard. The real disadvantage is not the typing quality but the fact that the keyboard reduces the rest of the screen.

  • 60 Posted by john_folena on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:39PM EDT Report Abuse

    How about MMS capability. This seems like such a no brainer. Being able to send pictures through your text messaging service would be a big market share "grabber".

  • 61 Posted by greenswestport on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:12PM EDT Report Abuse

    They need to find a way to delete more than one email at a time. I get 200+ a day.

  • 64 Posted by cmmdrfalcon on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:27PM EDT Report Abuse

    When is the Apple I coming out 3G ???? Come on now dont tease us!!!! Now the Blackberry is the most reliable on the market! It is very consumer friendly, unlike the Apple and the Tilt touch screens... The RIM servers are the best around... But thankful we have a consumer choice out there.. Cmmdr.Falcon

  • 65 Posted by jkearns13 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:36PM EDT Report Abuse

    Also the lack of 3G support is widely misunderstood as a major flaw. I have the iPhone but everyone I work with has a blackberry world phone or curve and we always "race" to see who can pull up a web page the fastest and it's either a tie or so close no one would possibly complain.

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