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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  • 6 Posted by dangrilley on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:35PM EDT Report Abuse

    Can you use an iPhone on a business acccount with AT&T yet? Last I heard they did not allow iPhones on business accounts.

  • 8 Posted by roodypoous on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:51PM EDT Report Abuse

    No physical keyboard? sorry no go for me, I do way too much texting/emailing

  • 9 Posted by peterprinting on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:07PM EDT Report Abuse

    I enjoyed your post but needed to chuckle at the "final version" remark. I still think my 386SX should have been the final PC it was so good. I was going to complain but then my Panasonic bag phone died and there was no more support so I stopped. Only other arguement is that I have big hands (not a teen) and the I-phone, the way it exists, is a bear for big guys like me.

  • 10 Posted by thestu30 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:05PM EDT Report Abuse

    Why doesn't Apple add GPS to this phone? With GPS, it would be the all-in-one device. That's what I'm waiting for. DO IT.

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

    Actually, the keyboard on the iPhone is great. After i got used to the fact that it wasn't tactile (which didn't ake long), I found I could blaze along pretty fast. It's not even that hard to quickly type messages one-handed, with your thumb, if you have a reasonable amount of dexterity.

  • 12 Posted by calbuzz on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:16PM EDT Report Abuse

    These are all fun for the "Corporate Business" users, but what about something in the upgrades for us "casual" users?

  • 13 Posted by daviddubrino on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:38PM EDT Report Abuse

    Now all they need to do is make it so it can view FLASH! My only complaint with the iPhone, besides that it's the coolest gadget of my lifetime

  • 14 Posted by ndgrad71 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:34PM EDT Report Abuse

    And it just gets better and better...

  • 15 Posted by dangrilley on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:35PM EDT Report Abuse

    Why are they bothering to upgrade this if you can't add an iPhone to a business acount? Seems like they need to add that to their "exclusive contract" with AT&T. My boss says you still can't add them to a business account.

  • 16 Posted by osxpro on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:47PM EDT Report Abuse

    The big deal is going to be the Cisco VPN. That's the only thing that's stopped me from getting one. If I can get corporate email via vpn, my company will reimburse me for the phone... Enough said!

  • 18 Posted by mirwaiskohestani on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:21PM EDT Report Abuse

    Hello, Iphone is one of the good products but unfortunatly it doesn't have most of the futures like Nokia N95 8gb or N96. If some one wants to compare these two products, at first glance you go for iphone but later when you compare it then you will choose Nokia.

  • 20 Posted by djkornfeld on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:44PM EDT Report Abuse

    The iPhone DOES have a QWERTY pad that works just as good as on a blackberry if not better. The fact that it is not "physical" is not a drawback.

  • 21 Posted by ram_a_roo on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:27PM EDT Report Abuse

    Iphone would be an easy sell if they were unlocked and had a replaceable battery

  • 22 Posted by brad_bull_kemp on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:12PM EDT Report Abuse

    Are you kidding ... until they offer the service through Verizon or other service providers, they will not be able to surpass RIMM. AT&T Service is horrible...

  • 23 Posted by michellestore on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:18PM EDT Report Abuse

    I tried the iPhone but went back to BlackBerry Curve since it was difficult to type on the keyboard. Plus the BlackBerry Curve was free at www.UShopWireless.com

  • 24 Posted by sass_1diop on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:06PM EDT Report Abuse

    OH WELL, APPLE IS THE NEW STARBUCKS.MONOPOLY,MONOPLY.......

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