What's Not to Love?
It has a huge, multi-touch screen with an iPod built right in. The user interface looks like nothing we’ve ever seen on a phone. But before you run out and purchase an iPhone, there is an important question to answer: Will you be using this device to access your work email account? If the answer is yes, this is not the device for you.
Why iPhone Isn't Ready To Come To Work:
- Apple has firmly positioned this first generation iPhone as a consumer device. While the iPhone does have email capabilities, it does not have the ability to access any of the major Enterprise email systems. UT System’s Exchange Server does not support the POP (post office protocol) and IMAP (internet mail protocol) mailboxes that the iPhone supports.
- This also means you’ll lose out on being able to sync your new iPhone with your calendar and address book wirelessly. Blackberry and Windows Mobile devices will update your Outlook account on UT System’s Exchange server as soon you make any changes to your calendar or address book on your phone. The iPhone will require you plug into your computer and sync to reflect these changes.
- While the email problem is the most glaring for business customers, there are a few other issues with the iPhone that make it less than ideal for a work device. First, there is no access to AT&T’s 3G high speed data networks. If you receive a lot of attachments in your email, or use an internet browser on your device; it will be much slower than other 3G compatible Smartphones.
- The next issue is the keyboard. There isn’t one. Many people prefer a full QWERTY thumb board or slide out keyboard for typing. The iPhone has a virtual keyboard which appears on the touch screen when needed. This input method could prove to be cumbersome for anything other than a short reply.
- Finally, there are no encryption or firewall products for this device. Your data might be freely accessible to anyone who might find or take your new phone from you. Using the Wi-Fi without a firewall in place might mean your data is susceptible to being stolen on public wireless public access points.
In The Future:
The first generation iPhone will probably be a fantastic device, but it’s not a Smartphone for the Enterprise environment. Apple will address these issues in future revisions, and will probably produce a model aimed at the corporate user. Until then, just keep your Smartphones and iPods separate.
For More Information:
Please refer to our article on SmartPhones for more information on phones that can access our Exchange server.
If you have questions, comments or suggestions for OTIS about this or other articles, please email questions@utsystem.edu.
