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iPhone 'Gotchas' And How Apple Addresses Them
Although the iPhone is popular with consumers, that does not necessarily mean it will integrate well into a company's complex technology infrastructure. Below is a list of 'gotchas' to be aware of when using the iPhone and considering the possibility of enterprise-wide integration.
- Outlook e-mail connection and management. Currently, users are frustrated with how iPhone works with Outlook because it does not act like other popular handheld devices, like the Blackberry. For example, the iPhone only supports e-mail using IMAP and SMTP protocols, which must be initiated by the iPhone to Outlook, not the other way around. The iPhone can retrieve e-mail automatically from Outlook only if it is configured to do so by the user. For example, users can set iPhones to retrieve e-mail from Outlook every few minutes, so messages are not sent and received instantaneously, as with the Blackberry. In addition, deleting e-mails is awkward because users must configure the iPhone to delete not only on the handheld, but also in Outlook. This can become confusing if users do not set up this feature correctly. On March 6, Apple announced that it has licensed Microsoft's Exchange ActiveSync, which will allow e-mail to be pushed to the iPhone. At the earliest, this change will take place in June with the release of an iPhone software update, according to Apple.
- Outlook calendar and contacts. Right now, information from Outlook calendar and contacts does not wirelessly synchronize with the iPhone. Instead, iPhone users must physically connect their device to their computers to use iTunes for calendar and contacts synchronization. This necessary, but inconvenient, physical connection increases the risk, for example, that users on-the-go could miss a rescheduled meeting if the invitation gets updated at the last minute. According to Apple, the company will enable calendar and contact information to be pushed to the iPhone as part of the same update that will support Microsoft ActiveSync.
- Closed environment. iPhone is a closed environment and does not allow for external applications to be uploaded onto the device. According to Forrester Research, Handango offers more than 17,500 applications for the Windows Mobile platform, more than 11,000 for Palm OS and 3,000 for Blackberry. It will be difficult for Apple to compete in this area; however, more applications will be forthcoming with aggressive support from Apple. The iPhone Software Development Kit ('SDK') was announced on March 6 and is already available to those who register as developers. The iPhone SDK will provide tools, samples and native iPhone programming interfaces to create iPhone applications. In an effort to boost the number of applications available on the iPhone, Apple has joined forces with Kleiner Perkins Caulfield & Byers to offer a venture capital fund that intends to invest $100 million in companies that create iPhone applications.
- Touch keyboard. The iPhone keyboard is a touch screen device, without a raised keypad like the Blackberry or Treo. Therefore, there is no tactile response of hitting a key for the user. iPhone users need to pay extra attention when typing to avoid inaccuracies.
- Data security. It is impossible for companies to secure data on an iPhone with file or disk encryption, thereby opening companies up to possible data breaches or loss. In addition, IT department cannot currently initiate password requirements on iPhones as they can with Blackberrys and Treos. And, because most iPhone users do not create passwords for the device, companies are again left vulnerable to possible data security issues. Apple has decided to address some of the data security issues as part of its announced feature enhancements slated for June, which will include enforcement of password protection and enhanced security by providing access to Cisco IPsec VPN and WAP2.
- Data delete and remote lock down. Most users have left behind a mobile device in a taxi or airport at one time or another. In those situations, it is comforting to know that if using a Blackberry, for example, the device can be remotely locked or information remotely deleted, thereby protecting potentially confidential company information. An iPhone, however, currently does not come with management software, so the device cannot be remotely locked or wiped clean of its data. In June, Apple will address this security deficiency and will offer the ability to wipe a stolen device via an enterprise-wide administration console.
- Limited international connection. So far, the iPhone can only be used in France, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States with specific carriers within each country. For international business travelers, this may present a problem when traveling outside of these locations and iPhone access is necessary.
Apple clearly has recognized many of the enterprise-wide support deficiencies, is starting to actively address them and will likely continue to provide users additional solutions to address other 'gotchas' in future generations of the product.
Paul Chisholm is chairman and chief executive officer of mindSHIFT Technologies, a provider of managed IT services to small and medium-sized organizations. He can be reached at [email protected]. The iPhone is ranked among the most popular gadgets to hit the market in 2007. According to Forrester Research, with more professionals using the iPhone, demand on internal IT departments to support the device has increased as well. However, there are some limitations with the iPhone that prevent it from being readily integrated as an enterprise-class device within an organization.
Although the iPhone is popular with consumers, that does not necessarily mean it will integrate well into a company's complex technology infrastructure. Below is a list of 'gotchas' to be aware of when using the iPhone and considering the possibility of enterprise-wide integration.
- Outlook e-mail connection and management. Currently, users are frustrated with how iPhone works with Outlook because it does not act like other popular handheld devices, like the Blackberry. For example, the iPhone only supports e-mail using IMAP and SMTP protocols, which must be initiated by the iPhone to Outlook, not the other way around. The iPhone can retrieve e-mail automatically from Outlook only if it is configured to do so by the user. For example, users can set iPhones to retrieve e-mail from Outlook every few minutes, so messages are not sent and received instantaneously, as with the Blackberry. In addition, deleting e-mails is awkward because users must configure the iPhone to delete not only on the handheld, but also in Outlook. This can become confusing if users do not set up this feature correctly. On March 6,
- Outlook calendar and contacts. Right now, information from Outlook calendar and contacts does not wirelessly synchronize with the iPhone. Instead, iPhone users must physically connect their device to their computers to use iTunes for calendar and contacts synchronization. This necessary, but inconvenient, physical connection increases the risk, for example, that users on-the-go could miss a rescheduled meeting if the invitation gets updated at the last minute. According to
- Closed environment. iPhone is a closed environment and does not allow for external applications to be uploaded onto the device. According to Forrester Research, Handango offers more than 17,500 applications for the Windows Mobile platform, more than 11,000 for Palm OS and 3,000 for Blackberry. It will be difficult for
- Touch keyboard. The iPhone keyboard is a touch screen device, without a raised keypad like the Blackberry or Treo. Therefore, there is no tactile response of hitting a key for the user. iPhone users need to pay extra attention when typing to avoid inaccuracies.
- Data security. It is impossible for companies to secure data on an iPhone with file or disk encryption, thereby opening companies up to possible data breaches or loss. In addition, IT department cannot currently initiate password requirements on iPhones as they can with Blackberrys and Treos. And, because most iPhone users do not create passwords for the device, companies are again left vulnerable to possible data security issues.
- Data delete and remote lock down. Most users have left behind a mobile device in a taxi or airport at one time or another. In those situations, it is comforting to know that if using a Blackberry, for example, the device can be remotely locked or information remotely deleted, thereby protecting potentially confidential company information. An iPhone, however, currently does not come with management software, so the device cannot be remotely locked or wiped clean of its data. In June,
- Limited international connection. So far, the iPhone can only be used in France, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States with specific carriers within each country. For international business travelers, this may present a problem when traveling outside of these locations and iPhone access is necessary.
Paul Chisholm is chairman and chief executive officer of mindSHIFT Technologies, a provider of managed IT services to small and medium-sized organizations. He can be reached at [email protected].
Major Differences In UK, U.S. Copyright Laws
This article highlights how copyright law in the United Kingdom differs from U.S. copyright law, and points out differences that may be crucial to entertainment and media businesses familiar with U.S law that are interested in operating in the United Kingdom or under UK law. The article also briefly addresses contrasts in UK and U.S. trademark law.
The Article 8 Opt In
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Strategy vs. Tactics: Two Sides of a Difficult Coin
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The Stranger to the Deed Rule
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