The Apple iPhone is now ready forbusiness use, says analyst
Gartner.
The device, launched on the O2 network at the end of last year,
will soon receive a more enterprise-friendly version of firmware
and improved security.
During the initial launch of the iPhone, Gartner analysts
expressed
concern over some security issues, but have changed their view
after recently announced enhancements, expected to be delivered in
June 2008.
"In its initial release, the iPhone was, with few exceptions, an
internet tablet with browser-based applications as its main
offering, but the release of firmware 2.0 changes that, enabling
organisations to develop local code and create applications that do
not depend on network capabilities," said Gartner analyst Ken
Dulaney.
"The iPhone will therefore match up against its main smartphone
competitors - BlackBerry, Windows Mobile and Symbian Series
60."
Earlier this month, Apple announced developer access to the
iPhone software developer kit and firmware 2.0, licensing of the
Microsoft ActiveSync protocol suite, support for Cisco IPSEC
security and the addition of WPA2 security for Wi-Fi
connections.