iPhone LinkfestBy now, we've had time to digest the news of Apple's upcoming iPhone, as have solution providers, IT departments and consumers worldwide. Some analysis from a channel perspective: To begin with, it sure makes a heck of good first impression. See CRN's iPhone slide show. The giant Comsumer Electronics show in Las Vegas was instantly relegated to second place status. According to Larry Hooper: "Apple gets "it." Jobs and his marketing crew understand that technology doesn't sell, so they've created "it" products that aren't about technology. They're about self-image, coolness, lifestyle." At The Big Picture, Barry Ritholtz called the iPhone Drool Worthy, and at Network Computing, Art Whittman says chalk one up for Mr. Jobs: "Essentially, I want one thing in my pocket, and the more it can do, the happier I'll be."
But of course, the details are critical. The first important one: there already is an iPhone, but it belongs to Cisco's, and Cisco definitely noticed. They tried to make a deal with Apple, but according to Robert Faletra, Apple didn't want to hear about it: "In a nutshell, Cisco wants to make its product compatible with Apple's, and Steve Jobs is dead set against it. Is anyone surprised? I'm not." On the technology side, David Greenfield at Network Computing identified the Top 10 iPhone gaffes, including: "The iPhone is crying out for built-in video calling, but it's not possible, at least in the first model. The camera is on the wrong side." Another detractor was, surprise, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer: "In an interview with InformationWeek, the Microsoft CEO bemoaned the phone's $499 price tag, lack of a keyboard and the hype factor that comes solely because of its brand, while noting that many other vendors are doing similar things for less." And many IT departments look to be slow to adopt the new device. Information Week: "One of the iPhone's main strengths--a design that emphasizes music and video--may work against it on the job. "Providing a device like the iPhone to business users is like giving them a PlayStation," says Justin Hectus, director of information at Keesal, Young & Logan, who outfits the law firm with Treos." And even for more adventurous IT departments, the iPhone may be a tough fit: "Apple is locking down the device, meaning that only applications Apple approves can be installed. That means no enterprise apps for now, and Jobs didn't mention data encryption, remote wiping, or enterprise policy enforcement in his keynote." New technology, new issues. Isn't that what the channel is for, though?
Posted by Joe Caponi at 03:10 PM, January 28, 2007 This is a public forum. United Business Media and its affiliates are not responsible for and do not control what is posted herein. United Business Media makes no warranties or guarantees concerning any advice dispensed by its staff members or readers. Community standards in this comment area do not permit hate language, excessive profanity, or other patently offensive language. Please be aware that all information posted to this comment area becomes the property of United Business Media LLC and may be edited and republished in print or electronic format as outlined in United Business Media's Terms of Service. Important Note: This comment area is NOT intended for commercial messages or solicitations of business. |
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