iPhone Open for Business, USA TODAY

[Jerro]

Apple opens up iPhone for business - USATODAY.com

[MOTOhooligan]

Relatives of mine who have used Treos, Blackberries and iPhones say the iPhone isn't particularly well-suited for business users. I'm curious to see what impact this has on iPhone sales since they've sort of been below expectations since the initial "gotta have it first" push.

[Jerro]

Originally Posted by MOTOhooligan Relatives of mine who have used Treos, Blackberries and iPhones say the iPhone isn't particularly well-suited for business users. I'm curious to see what impact this has on iPhone sales since they've sort of been below expectations since the initial "gotta have it first" push.

It is fun to play with at the Apple and AT&T stores. But as long as the battery is sealed inside the case I won't buy one.

[Alienware_51]

I don't think the iPhone will really be able to compete with RIM. BlackBerry's are trusted by almost every corporation in America. I'm not tryin to start anything, but I don't really think the iPhone is very "business" like. I highly doubt that big company's will switch their employees over to iPhones, because I think they would really tempt people to play with them alot. Even though the company can probably control what is accessable/non-accessable, still.

That's just my 2 cents.

[Jay2TheRescue]

Originally Posted by Alienware_51 I don't think the iPhone will really be able to compete with RIM. BlackBerry's are trusted by almost every corporation in America. I'm not tryin to start anything, but I don't really think the iPhone is very "business" like. I highly doubt that big company's will switch their employees over to iPhones, because I think they would really tempt people to play with them alot. Even though the company can probably control what is accessable/non-accessable, still. That's just my 2 cents.

Yeah, business users want a real workhorse. Blackberry, Palm. or Windows Mobile. You can get the fanciest of any of the devices I mentioned for less than the iPhone, and you'll have a better device, and in most cases a faster internet connection too.

-Jay

[Eric47]

don't be surprised when you see every important business man you know with one.

when your company gives you a phone and lets you pick between a kia/suzuki/daewoo/or a Mercedes, which one are you going to pick?? lets not forget, most business' only offer their employees OLD blackberry's and Palms, not many are opting for the newer blackberry's yet, and almost none are opting for Tilts or other WM phones bc they generally are considered entertainment devices and not work savvy like the palms and Blackberry's. Granted, the iPhone is the ULTIMATE Entertainment device...but with the add on's they are talking about for business...it may become the ultimate business device also...

don't get me wrong i LOVE my Blackberry's...but when i can do my Enterprise on an Iphone, ill probably Opt. for it....well...at least a 3G model i will ALSO the flexibility to work with both Enterprise and Exchange Servers is something that no other phone (AFAIK) can do.

[MOTOhooligan]

Originally Posted by EricN4707 when your company gives you a phone and lets you pick between a kia/suzuki/daewoo/or a Mercedes, which one are you going to pick??

Palm/Blackberry/Windows Mobile = Kia/Suzuki/Daewoo and iPhone = Mercedes? I think not?

Maybe something more like this:

Palm = Mitsubishi Lancer, reliable but not too many people have them
Windows Mobile = Toyota Camry, a little boring but a lot of people have them
Blackberry = Honda Civic, reliable, utilitarian and popular

iPhone = Lamborghini Murcielago, expensive, flashy, tempremental and your local mechanic can't work on them

Sure, the iPhone is fun but when you have to send it off to get the battery replaced and the flashiness outweighs the functionality, it doesn't make sense in a business context.

[Jay2TheRescue]

Originally Posted by EricN4707 don't be surprised when you see every important business man you know with one. when your company gives you a phone and lets you pick between a kia/suzuki/daewoo/or a Mercedes, which one are you going to pick?? lets not forget, most business' only offer their employees OLD blackberry's and Palms, not many are opting for the newer blackberry's yet, and almost none are opting for Tilts or other WM phones bc they generally are considered entertainment devices and not work savvy like the palms and Blackberry's. Granted, the iPhone is the ULTIMATE Entertainment device...but with the add on's they are talking about for business...it may become the ultimate business device also... don't get me wrong i LOVE my Blackberry's...but when i can do my Enterprise on an Iphone, ill probably Opt. for it....well...at least a 3G model i will ALSO the flexibility to work with both Enterprise and Exchange Servers is something that no other phone (AFAIK) can do.

How many businesses will opt for such an expensive phone? They will probably say here's your choice, take a WM, a Treo, or a BB. even the most expensive of these devices are still half the price of an iPhone.

-Jay

[Eric47]

Originally Posted by Jay2TheRescue How many businesses will opt for such an expensive phone? They will probably say here's your choice, take a WM, a Treo, or a BB. even the most expensive of these devices are still half the price of an iPhone. -Jay

ud be surprised.


look at what it does in relation to its cost. a BB 8820 is 350bucks and doesnt have nearly the capabilities or flexibilities...400 is not far off....

now for most small business' its still not practical, and even midsized, but for larger companys, and higher up execs of companys, they say they have been begging for this since it came out. so id expect a good end result still.

[AJE]

I am in the IT industry and I can tell you there will be a lot of our customers (mostly Execs for the companies) will be wanting us to set these up because they have already asked when it first came out. And our standard response was "You don't want it because you won't get your mail, calendar, tasks like your current WM device" So I am sure once they get wind of this they will be ditching their WM devices.