Smartphone
WINNER: iPhone 3G
There's no ignoring the iPhone in the enterprise any more.
With its iPhone 2.0 software launch earlier this year, Apple delivered tight integration between its handheld platform and Microsoft Exchange. Not only is Apple's iPhone now the fastest-selling smartphone in the market today, the device provides seamless integration across the firewall to corporate e-mail, calendaring and contacts. This was a critical functionality that was lacking in 2007 when the company initially launched the device.
In addition, Apple's iTunes App Store provides offerings from hundreds of ISVs including Salesforce.com, and the device itself provides new GPS functionality.
There has never been greater competition in the smartphone space, and with the T-Mobile G1 Android device as well as the BlackBerry Storm from Research In Motion, the iPhone wasn't a slam-dunk for the product of the year in this category for 2008. But even though the Apple iPhone isn't sold through the solution provider channel, the potential for it to lead to solution provider-directed rollouts, upgrades and continued maintenance largely on Exchange integration is a major development.
Next Slide >
