Enterprise Pain Points

It’s Official. Third-party apps for the iPhone. Looks like things are looking up for all kinds of developers: Open source, Commercial, Enterprise, and Hackers (in the original meaning of the word).

Let’s see, so what did we gain with this new information:

- App Distribution ( check )
- Access to iPhone features ( check )
- Safari Engine/capabilities ( check )

Is this enough to overcome the perceived issues that have surfaced so far?

- no 3G
- two year contract w/AT&T required
- pricey
- no details on battery life/non-removable
- screen keyboard (not great for text messaging)
- no corporate/exchange push email
- no GPS

In black and white, it does look like the iPhone isn’t as groundbreaking as it was in January 2007. However, the key tipping-point factor is the User Experience. The User Experience (obviously) will sink or float the v1.0 iPhone until v2.0 comes out next year.

You might have expected more in terms of a iPhone Development SDK, but the combination of Easy-to-use, iPod, Phone, Safari-engine, Video-player plus user experience will overshadow the initial perceived issues. Applications and new functionality between now and next year will certainly make this a thing a huge winner; exceeding Apple’s 10 million units by 4Q08 expectation.

You have to ask yourself one question? Other phones may have more features, but which one has a better user experience?