Tag Archives: Apple App Store

About 713 days ago E-Commerce | Internet and Online Business

‘Financial Times’ Bypasses Apple

Courtesy of the Guardian

The Financial Times fired the first shot Tuesday in a duel with Apple over restrictions the company has laid out for publishers who want to use the iTunes App Store to sell subscriptions. READ MORE »

About 720 days ago Business Software | Smartphones and PDAs | Tablets and eReaders

Apple Makes iWork Suite Compatible With iPhone, iPod Touch

iwork-logo

Apple yesterday announced updates to its iWork application bundle for iOS, with universal versions of Pages, Numbers and Keynote moving beyond iPad tablet functionality and onto your third-generation iPod Touch or iPhone 3GS and higher. Not that you’d necessarily want to edit documents or spreadsheets on a 3.5″ screen (nor be forced to use the correspondingly tiny touchscreen keypad), but it is nice to know it’s there, along with iDisk support and AirPrint to iOS functionality, should you need it in an emergency. READ MORE »

About 748 days ago Apps | E-Commerce | Mobility Tips and Tricks | Online Marketing

Mobile Apps Grow to $3.8 Billion as Apple Dominance Wanes

Mobile App Sales through 2014

Just in case you were in any doubt, mobile apps are big business and will reach $3.8 billion in sales this year, according to research firm IHS iSuppli. That’s a healthy 77.7 percent increase over 2010, and more than an 18-fold increase over 2008. And the rapid growth will continue, IHS iSuppli predicts, climbing to $5.6 billion next year, $6.9 billion the year after that, and $8.3 billion in 2014. READ MORE »

About 756 days ago Apps

TapJoy Caps Its Apps

Hard as they try, the little guy still can’t pull one past Apple. TapJoy, an app-based startup that allows companies to pay-per-install, announced yesterday that it is putting a limit on the number of installs each user can make, MocoNews reports. TapJoy serves app developers looking to gain popularity by boosting their rankings in the App Store‘s lists of top applications, the only real way to gain recognition in Apple’s discovery system. READ MORE »

About 856 days ago Hardware

Will 2011 Ring in an iPad Killer?

The Apple iPad may have been the breakthrough tech product of 2010 – with an estimated 10 million units sold to both consumers and businesses alike – but a flood of new tablet competitors will attempt to get a piece of the action in 2011. While a few Android-based devices are already out of the gate, including the Samsung Galaxy Tab and Dell Streak, dozens of entrants will debut over the coming months –- including the hotly anticipated BlackBerry PlayBook from smartphone leaders Research in Motion (RIM). Slated for a March launch for about $500, the BlackBerry PlayBook is a 7-inch tablet (opposed to the iPad’s nearly 10-inch size), with a WSVGA (1024 x 600 resolution) touchscreen. The .9-pound PlayBook offers a few features not found in the iPad. It’s got a dual-core processor for speedy performance and smooth multitasking. The PlayBook also features two HD cameras — one is a 5-megapixel camera facing outwards, and the other is a 3-megapixel camera facing the user for video conferencing, The browser supports Adobe Flash-based websites. And it’s got a micro-HDMI port to connect the PlayBook to a high-definition source, such as a HDTV or projector. Like the iPad, the PlayBook’s memory isn’t expandable. And while it offers integrated Wi-Fi access, to get online via 3G (cellular) connectivity you need a nearby BlackBerry. This Bluetooth tethering option lets the user access the Internet anywhere you’ve got cell phone reception. Content is king? There’s room for multiple competitors in the tablet space – and with many different operating systems powering them, including Google’s Android, Windows, and BlackBerry, to name a few – but Apple’s iPad has nothing to worry about in the near future, says Scott Steinberg, CEO and lead technology analyst for TechSavvy Global in Seattle. “No device will eclipse the iPad because Apple is a juggernaut not just for churning out superior hardware but perhaps more importantly, content, too, so you’re not going to see people abandon [the iPad] on masse,” says Steinberg. Supporting Steinberg’s prediction is the fact Apple’s App Store has well over 300,000 downloads – many of which for free or close to it – which is at least 200,000 more than its closest competitor, the Android Market. BlackBerry App World has roughly 10,000 apps, but they’re generally more expensive. Making a Play(Book) “An iPad killer? No, but there’s enough room for everyone to carve out comfortable market,” Steinberg says. “That said, the PlayBook might do well, especially for businesses, as it offers enterprise-level support, support for Flash, multitasking and the beauty of multiple cameras which makes video conferencing casual and convenient.” And don’t forget: Apple is already working hard on iPad 2. Apple isn’t giving up without a fight. Michael Gartenberg, research director at Gartner in Stamford, Conn., agrees with Steinberg: “Companies have been experimenting on tablets for more than a decade and the iPad was the first device to crack the market for consumers and businesses — in 2011, no one will concede that market to Apple,” predicts Gartenberg. “We’ll see a lot of effort by RIM, Android devices and others, but not only does Apple have more than a year head-start, but all those competitors will also be going up against the iPad 2.” Apple doesn’t only have a commanding market share but a commanding mindshare, as well, adds Gartenberg. On the PlayBook, Gartenberg says RIM has a “home court advantage” with businesses because of the popularity of BlackBerry smartphones in this space – but there are too many “unknowns” for a product that’s around the corner. “It looks good, but until they have final product, we don’t know how it’ll run, what apps will be for it, the cost, distribution and carrier support, as you need a BlackBerry to get online via 3G.” “It’s hard to say how well it’ll do because RIM hasn’t said enough about the device,” says Gartenberg. But there are already some well-reported disadvantages. On needing a nearby BlackBerry smartphone to get online via 3G, Steinberg calls this requirement “awkward, restrictive and less convenient than built-in 3G connectivity.” What about Google? Both Steinberg and Gartenberg agree a tablet used for business must also offer a consumer experience, too, as our professional and personal lives are increasingly woven together. “RIM’s PlayBook might be geared more towards businesses but remember they’re bought by individuals…you can’t overlook the personal factor, such as games, media and other apps,” says Gartenberg. “RIM feels like it needs to be in this tablet space but not sure if it know why it needs to be there.” Both the PlayBook and Android devices could be heavyweights in the tablet space if the category continues to grow, says Steinberg. “While it doesn’t seem to have as much buzz as the PlayBook, Android makes good use of all the [Android] Market apps, Google’s programs and solid hardware – plus there will be many different models, prices, carriers and form factors to choose from,” he says.

About 1091 days ago Business Software

The Best 5 iPad Apps for Business

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Already a consumer success with more than 1 million units sold within one month of its U.S. launch, Apple’s iPad (from $499 is also gaining traction among mobile professionals looking to remain productive on the go. Not everyone agrees on whether this “magical” tablet was built for business, of course — be sure to read our discussion here – but those who do use it work now have many dedicated applications (“apps”) to choose from at the App Store (part of iTunes). This includes Apple’s own iWork offerings, such as Pages for word processing, Numbers for spreadsheets and Keynote for presentations ($9.99 apiece), and dozens of inexpensive third-party apps (see below). “Not only is the iPad built for travel — it’s just a pound and a half and with a battery pushing 12 hours between charges — but its stunning 9.7-inch screen makes it a convincing showpiece to display media, online content or a visual presentation to a client or customer,” says Scott Steinberg, CEO for the TechSavvy Global technology consulting firm in Seattle. “And its online, on-demand apps can transform the device into a portable language translator, note taker, personal digital assistant, information hub, voice recorder, invoice tracker, CSM tool, and so on.” Not only does the iPad feature many dedicated apps for the platform, but out of the box it works with most of the 200,000 apps designed for iPhone and iPod touch. Tim Doherty, research analyst and mobility expert for small and mid-sized businesses at IDC, a Framingham, Mass.-based market research firm, believes the iPad is still “pricey” for widespread deployment in a company, the tablet form factor lends itself well to data capture type applications, such as replacing a traditional clipboard. “Business executives may be drawn to the devices because of its ‘wow’ factor, and what I find compelling is the pricing of the mobile broadband for iPad, which is certainly more attractive than the traditional $60 a month mobile broadband card,” says Doherty. “But ultimately they probably won’t ready to ditch their laptops for this first iteration of the device.” Doherty thinks competition will help drive the price down. “In the future, increased competition from vendors offering Android tablets, a possible WebOS tablet from HP and potentially a BlackBerry tablet from RIM can help drive pricing down and adoption up,” adds Doherty. “Like iPhone did in helping to drive the smartphone market, iPad can do for the tablet market, to the benefit of multiple vendors.” Recommended iPad apps for business The iPad apps you need for business depends on your specific needs, naturally, but along with the aforementioned Apple iWork offerings, the following are five excellent tools to consider. Dragon Dictation (free)Nuance’s easy-to-use and accurate app will transcribe your voice into text like a personal secretary. Once transcribed, you can save the work, e-mail, or send as text message. Also consider Nuance’s free Dragon Search, which lets you ask a question into the iPad’s microphone and you’ll see the relevant answers and/or websites pooled from online sources. WebEx for iPad (free)Need to attend an online meeting but nowhere near your PC? No worries, as you can join the WebEx conference call, brainstorming sessions or presentation on your iPad. Experience live, real-time data and audio wherever work takes you — and save time and money on traveling for meetings. Evernote (free)Got a million dollar idea while on the go? Figured out how to fix your sales hurdles? Type, draw, or speak it inside of Evernote, a powerful tool available for iPad, and so long as you’re online it’ll immediately synchronize with your Mac or PC for safe keeping. The simple interface and powerful options make this app an ideal one for mobile businesspersons. LogMeIn ($29.99)Don’t fret if you forgot an important document or presentation on the office or home PC (or Mac). Use your fingertip on the iPad to remotely log into one or more computers, anywhere on the world, to access what you need as if you were in front the other screen(s). LogMeIn can also be used to troubleshot a colleague’s computer or play Flash-based games if you find some downtime. Square (free)With Square Inc.’s clever software, small and mid-sized businesses can quickly and securely accept card and cash payments on the spot. When the transaction is completed, use this app to generate e-mail and SMS receipts on the spot. Features include itemized lists of sold products or services, adjustable sales tax options, and more.  

About 1143 days ago Tools on Managing Technology

Five Ways the iPad Can Help Business

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There was a hush in the room when Apple CEO Steve Jobs (finally) took the wraps off the long-rumored Apple iPad in late January. Perhaps it was because the audience — populated primarily by journalists and analysts — realized this portable tablet would blur the lines between work and play, much like the iconic iPhone that came before it. Now the iPad is available, and many are wondering if this digital device is truly suitable for small to mid-sized business — or even a boon for it. The basics The iPad (from $499 for 16GB) is a thin, 9.7-inch touch-screen tablet, ideal for reading electronic books and digital newspapers, surfing the Web, reading e-mail, flicking through photos, watching videos, and playing games — all via your fingertips instead of with a keyboard and mouse. Sure, other manufacturers have launched WiFi-enabled tablets in the past — aimed primarily at businesses — but more often than not have proven bulky, slow, and limited in software. The iPad, on the other hand, is a svelte 1.5 pounds, powered by a 1GHz processor and out of the box works with most of the 150,000 plus applications (“apps”) available at Apple’s popular App Store (part of iTunes). Built for business A recent business survey conducted by Information Technology Intelligence Corp. (ITIC) found 42 percent of participants planned on purchasing an iPad within the first six to nine months. Only 14 percent said “no,” leaving the remaining 44 percent as “possibly” or “undecided.” “Interestingly, the line that divides home life and corporate life has blurred considerably over the past few years,” says Laura DiDio, a principal at ITIC, a research and consulting firm based in the suburban Boston area. When asked how they’ll use the iPad, 64 percent of respondents said they’d use the iPad for business, 31 percent for personal use, and 86 percent for both. “Ten or 15 years ago you can be reasonably certain your IT department would issue you a desktop device that was more state of the art than what you had at home,” says DiDio. “Now, consumers get more state of the art, feature-rich devices than what’s issued by the company, and in many cases they can use them for work, too.” Top 5 reasons iPad is good for business DiDio says there are a number of reasons why the iPad is good for business. Here are the top five reasons to consider an iPad for business: Price (under $500) Power (better than netbooks) Portability (1.5 pounds, 10 hour battery) Usability (home and business use, which fits today’s telecommuting trend) Functionality (150,000 apps and counting) “With a list price that begins at $499, Apple has broken price barrier, making it appealing to consumers and businesses alike,” explains DiDio. “Plus, the iPad has the performance and graphics capabilities not found in most netbooks.” Another advantage: many corporate workers are “road warriors” these days, adds DiDio, “from the smallest businesses all the way up to enterprise.” The iPad’s svelte 1.5-pound frame and 10-hour battery make it ideal for travelers and telecommuters alike. “Many today juggle home and business life simultaneously, so while the iPad is great to keep the kids entertained in the backseat of the car, mom or dad can then edit a sales report when they reach their destination,” says DiDio. A wide range of applications also make the iPad very appealing to small and mid-sized businesses. Not everyone agrees Tim Bajarin, principal strategist at the Campbell, Calif.-based Creative Strategies research firm, says he recognizes Apple has added some productivity software to the overall iPad model, such as the iWorks programs, but still believes the iPad is more of a consumer device than a business tool. “You saw Jobs demonstrate the iPad reclining in a chair because the iPad is optimized for a ‘lean back’ experience rather than a ‘lean forward’ one,” explains Bajarin. “This is fine for browsing the Web, reading a book, or watching video, but business is more of a learn forward experience — such as writing long e-mails and reports, or working on spreadsheets and presentations.” Bajarin says the success of the iPad in the workplace will also depend on the type of job at hand. “Those who need bigger screen real estate will stick with a PC monitor, such as those in graphic arts,” says Bajarin, “but vertical markets — such as hospitals, transportation, police and fire, and small medical clinics — might find this tablet of use, where ultra portability is important.”

About 1143 days ago PCs, Laptops, and Notebooks

Five Ways the iPad Can Help Business

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There was a hush in the room when Apple CEO Steve Jobs (finally) took the wraps off the long-rumored Apple iPad in late January. Perhaps it was because the audience — populated primarily by journalists and analysts — realized this portable tablet would blur the lines between work and play, much like the iconic iPhone that came before it. Now the iPad is available, and many are wondering if this digital device is truly suitable for small to mid-sized business — or even a boon for it. The basics The iPad (from $499 for 16GB) is a thin, 9.7-inch touch-screen tablet, ideal for reading electronic books and digital newspapers, surfing the Web, reading e-mail, flicking through photos, watching videos, and playing games — all via your fingertips instead of with a keyboard and mouse. Sure, other manufacturers have launched WiFi-enabled tablets in the past — aimed primarily at businesses — but more often than not have proven bulky, slow, and limited in software. The iPad, on the other hand, is a svelte 1.5 pounds, powered by a 1GHz processor and out of the box works with most of the 150,000 plus applications (“apps”) available at Apple’s popular App Store (part of iTunes). Built for business A recent business survey conducted by Information Technology Intelligence Corp. (ITIC) found 42 percent of participants planned on purchasing an iPad within the first six to nine months. Only 14 percent said “no,” leaving the remaining 44 percent as “possibly” or “undecided.” “Interestingly, the line that divides home life and corporate life has blurred considerably over the past few years,” says Laura DiDio, a principal at ITIC, a research and consulting firm based in the suburban Boston area. When asked how they’ll use the iPad, 64 percent of respondents said they’d use the iPad for business, 31 percent for personal use, and 86 percent for both. “Ten or 15 years ago you can be reasonably certain your IT department would issue you a desktop device that was more state of the art than what you had at home,” says DiDio. “Now, consumers get more state of the art, feature-rich devices than what’s issued by the company, and in many cases they can use them for work, too.” Top 5 reasons iPad is good for business DiDio says there are a number of reasons why the iPad is good for business. Here are the top five reasons to consider an iPad for business: Price (under $500) Power (better than netbooks) Portability (1.5 pounds, 10 hour battery) Usability (home and business use, which fits today’s telecommuting trend) Functionality (150,000 apps and counting) “With a list price that begins at $499, Apple has broken price barrier, making it appealing to consumers and businesses alike,” explains DiDio. “Plus, the iPad has the performance and graphics capabilities not found in most netbooks.” Another advantage: many corporate workers are “road warriors” these days, adds DiDio, “from the smallest businesses all the way up to enterprise.” The iPad’s svelte 1.5-pound frame and 10-hour battery make it ideal for travelers and telecommuters alike. “Many today juggle home and business life simultaneously, so while the iPad is great to keep the kids entertained in the backseat of the car, mom or dad can then edit a sales report when they reach their destination,” says DiDio. A wide range of applications also make the iPad very appealing to small and mid-sized businesses. Not everyone agrees Tim Bajarin, principal strategist at the Campbell, Calif.-based Creative Strategies research firm, says he recognizes Apple has added some productivity software to the overall iPad model, such as the iWorks programs, but still believes the iPad is more of a consumer device than a business tool. “You saw Jobs demonstrate the iPad reclining in a chair because the iPad is optimized for a ‘lean back’ experience rather than a ‘lean forward’ one,” explains Bajarin. “This is fine for browsing the Web, reading a book, or watching video, but business is more of a learn forward experience — such as writing long e-mails and reports, or working on spreadsheets and presentations.” Bajarin says the success of the iPad in the workplace will also depend on the type of job at hand. “Those who need bigger screen real estate will stick with a PC monitor, such as those in graphic arts,” says Bajarin, “but vertical markets — such as hospitals, transportation, police and fire, and small medical clinics — might find this tablet of use, where ultra portability is important.”

About 1329 days ago Business Software

Top 10 Free Apps and Services for Business

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Times are tough, but you can save your company some cash by taking advantage of many free applications and services to help you remain lean and competitive. This includes many downloadable programs for your BlackBerry, iPhone, or Android smartphone as well as tools for PC productivity, such as online back-up options, voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) software, and no-cost office suites. Free apps are sought-after downloads today in business. It’s not just because it makes sense to those watching their bottom line, but the apps are getting a lot more robust instead of simply covering the basics, says Scott Steinberg, publisher of Digital Trends. “You’d be surprise what you can find today when it comes to free applications — and there’s plenty of free apps to choose from for your smartphone, PC, or a cloud-computing solution that bridges the two,” adds Steinberg. Steinberg says he’s most excited about the explosion in downloadable apps for smartphones. “The apps transform phones into notebook replacements, audio recorders, GPS navigation devices, note-taking devices, and even gaming getaways for those in need of an entertainment fix while traveling for business.” Speaking of travel, Chris Silva, an analyst at the Cambridge, Mass.-based Forrester, the technology research company, says many of these free productivity tools have an inherent benefit compared to traditional desktop software: “On-the-go businesspersons want to be able to access their content wherever and whenever, and on any device — and while Microsoft recently unveiled a ‘cloud’ component to [Microsoft] Office, we’re finding people are turning to Google’s established and free Gmail for e-mail, file storage, document sharing, and so on.” Caveat emptor There’s little dispute that cost-cutting measures are critical — especially given the current state of the economy — but there are a few things about free software that businesses should be aware of. Silva reminds businesses that these free apps are still not as full-featured as paid versions. “Productivity suites might not have the 500-plus menus and tools built into Microsoft Office, for example, but most people don’t venture outside of ‘create, format, print and share’ anyway,” he says. “Many companies, especially small to mid-sized businesses, are finding these free alternatives to be good enough for their needs.” Silva also warns of two other possible downsides to free apps. “It’s no secret there are occasional Gmail outages, which means you can’t access your e-mail, or Skype congestion that can affect call quality, along with other issues associated with Internet-based solutions,” he says. “Plus, there are always increased security risks in allowing your employees to use any kind of software they want. You’ll need to take steps to educate employees about risks, about some company information that shouldn’t be shared with Gmail or IM, and mitigate these with policies.” Best bets for free apps If you’re looking for completely free apps for your smartphone or PC, consider the following recommendations: Skype – Available for PCs and select smartphones (iPhone and Windows Mobile), Skype lets you make free phone calls to any other Skype user on the Internet via VoIP technology. PC users can also chat using video, swap files, or pay a few cents a minute for “Skype Out” calls to landlines and cell phones. Gmail – Google’s free Web-based e-mail solution reliably keeps you in touch with others, regardless of the platform you’re using it on. Benefits include loads of storage, little spam, contact and calendar management, and support for Google Talk between multiple devices. OpenOffice.org – Sun Microsystems’s free Microsoft Office alternative offers a suite of productivity tools, including word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, databases, and graphics. It supports multiple operating systems and has a portable version that runs off a USB key. Documents To Go – With a free version included on newer BlackBerry devices, this clever app suite allows for viewing and editing of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents. It’s usually bundled with PDF To Go, as well, supporting Adobe’s popular Portable Document Format. Zoho – Free for individuals, Zoho’s range of productivity and collaboration apps include Zoho Mail, Zoho Chat, Zoho CRM, Zoho Writer, Zoho Discussions, Zoho Sheet, Zoho Meeting, Zoho Show, Zoho Creator, Zoho Docs, Zoho Invoice, Zoho Notebook, Zoho Projects, Zoho Wiki, Zoho Reports, and others. Windows Live SkyDrive – Microsoft is offering up to 25GB of free online storage. Only a Windows ID is required (such as a Hotmail e-mail address) and this password-protected virtual drive can be accessed for virtually any online computer in the world. Some folders can be set up for sharing, while other are for your eyes only. Remote Desktop Lite – Use your iPhone or iPod touch to securely access a Windows XP Professional computer, anywhere on the planet. This software provides full access to your PC — via Wi-Fi or EDGE — as if you were in front of the machine you’re accessing. At the time of writing this, Remote Desktop Lite is the no. 1 free business app at Apple’s App Store. Call Time Tracker by momentum – As the name suggests, Redwood Technologies’ free app for Blackberry helps business professionals account for their time in order to bill hours and recover expenses. Ideal for lawyers, consultants, salespeople, realtors and IT professionals, this app pops up at the end of calls and you can easily mark it as billable time. Nice Office – BlackBerry users can manage their e-mail, calendar, contacts, and tasks from this one free suite of tools. Nice Office securely also grants access to forms and documents, lets you record sales activity while on the go and automatically logs device activity, and provides a detailed report on mobile interactions with your contacts, including calls, messages, and appointments. Google Maps – While it doesn’t provide audio-based turn-by-turn commands, Google Maps is a completely free and powerful tool for your smartphone that can help you find nearby establishments (such as restaurants, gas stations, or hotels), show overhead street views (even with satellite imagery), and give you accurate directions to a destination. It works via GPS or even cellular technology (though the latter isn’t as accurate).

About 1390 days ago Mobility Tips and Tricks

Which Cell Phone Is Smartest for Business?

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Smartphones are big for small business. In fact, many mobile workers now depend on these all-in-one digital Swiss Army Knives that offer support for third-party applications, messaging, Web browsing, GPS navigation, media playback, and photo and video capture. Oh, and they make calls, too. But there are a growing number of different platforms on the market — including BlackBerry, iPhone, Android, Windows Mobile, Palm Pre and others — therefore deciding which one is best for your small or mid-sized business could be an overwhelming endeavor. So we turned to a couple of tech experts to discuss what a mobile worker should look for in a smartphone platform. The basics Smartphones are an increasingly popular choice for business use, but regardless which of which operating system you go with, the handset must meet a few key minimum requirements, says Scott Steinberg, publisher of Digital Trends. “Battery life and wireless coverage are two big ones,” says Steinberg, who is based in Atlanta. “Because of all of its features and integrated wireless radios, smartphones can consume a lot of power, and the last thing you need is to be on the road or at a trade show and there’s only one bar left.” As for coverage areas, which can greatly affect call quality and data speeds, Steinberg suggests to do your research by visiting the websites for carriers — such as Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T and Sprint — and click on the map that shows coverage areas. “Many people assume the smartphone will work the same everywhere in the U.S., and elsewhere, but this is simply not the case,” he explains. “It’s also not a bad idea to talk to colleagues or friends on that network to hear first-hand about coverage, as the last thing you need is to be on the road and you can’t access your e-mail from client about a cancelled appointment.” Ted Schadler, vice president and principal analyst at Forrester Research, a Cambridge, Mass.-based technology research firm, says before deciding which smartphone to invest in, figure out what applications your business requires and if they’re supported by the platform. “The horizontal app is e-mail, of course, but after that you’ll need to list any other apps you’ll want to run,” says Schadler.  A small or mid-sized business “will also work out the cost per device, how many you need for your staff, the cost of the data plan, and any device management software or mobile middleware you might need.” Consider being device agnostic Schadler, who has just published a report entitled Technology Populism Fuels Mobile Collaboration: When IT Supports Personal Mobile Phones, Mobile Collaboration Ensues, says the trend is moving towards a “bring your own smartphone” practice. In a survey completed by more than 2,300 IT decision-makers in the U.S. and Europe, one in four are now supporting an employee’s personal mobile device — so long as the applications are platform-agnostic and meets the company’s security protocols. The gotta-have-it iPhone from Apple is the “big disruptor” for this paradigm shift, says Schadler. Deciding which smartphone platform to go, however, might be dependent on the industry you’re in, adds Schadler. If you’re in regulated industry — such as health care, pharmaceutical, insurance, or financial services — you might have strict privacy requirements, such as protecting customer data, remote wiping of device if the smartphone is lost or stolen, and so on. “There are many, many different kinds of policies in these industries so you have to be careful about which phones you’re supporting to ensure they meet regulatory compliance,” says Schadler. “If you want managed devices, you really only have one choice, which is BlackBerry,” adds Schadler, “as RIM supports more than 450 policies — but it’ll cost you a license fee per month, per user.” He adds, “Otherwise, Windows Mobile and iPhone are basically free if you’re running Exchange.” Steinberg agrees with Schadler on the additional requirements for any smartphone consideration. Your priorities should be “security and privacy issues must be addressed, support for enterprise-level e-mail, and whether or not you easily sync your data with a PC,” he says. “And depending on what you need, access to the company’s Twitter or Facebook account while on the road might be important or GPS to find your way to a meeting or wireless or on-demand software purchases at an app store.” Pros and cons The following are a few thoughts on each of the major smartphone operating systems: BlackBerry Pros: Reliable, fast and secure “push” e-mail; physical keyboard in most models; good battery life; supports multiple accounts. Cons: Browser not the greatest; App World doesn’t offer great selection or intuitive interface. Windows Mobile Pros: Supported by the broadest range of devices; Outlook and other Windows programs sync smoothly with a PC. Cons: Interface and stability issues; fewer apps than most other smartphones. iPhone Pros: Elegant and intuitive touch interface; more than 65,000 apps in App Store (many of which are free); great consumer device. Cons: No physical keyboard is obstacle for many; battery life trails other smartphones; still no MMS support in U.S. Android Pros: Powerful and versatile open-source operating system; seamless presentation and access of online Google apps; good user-interface. Cons: Not a lot of supported devices or software; Android Market not as intuitive as Apple App Store. Palm webOS Pros: Open-source operating system anyone can develop for; can support multiple apps open at once; offers both physical keyboard and touchscreen. Cons: Unproven for business because newest OS; poor selection of software and only one device (Palm Pre).