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18 Jul 2008
Business users should not be so quick to adopt the iPhone 3G, according to one industry analyst.
Rob Enderle, founder and principle analyst at the Enderle Group, explained that flaws in the iPhone 3G may take a few weeks to surface.
"Apple is one of those companies that could sell refrigerators to Eskimos, but that does not suggest that Eskimos should actually buy them," he said.
"The problem is that Apple tends to lead on hype and does a good job controlling initial product reviews.
"Problems associated with the iPhone 3G probably will not be known until the week after it launches when the raft of independent reviews becomes available."
Apple has attempted to make the iPhone 3G far more business friendly than its predecessor. The new version of the software includes support for Microsoft Exchange and Cisco VPN security as well as new GPS capabilities.
However, Enderle highlighted several early concerns about the handset, including poor battery life and software availability, which could make the handset impractical for business use.
The analyst suggested that businesses should wait for third-party hardware solutions and better quality control in the iPhone App Store before fully embracing the new handsets.
"It would be better for employees and their companies if purchases of the iPhone 3G were delayed until at least September when critical parts like battery life, App Store security and application performance are better understood," said Enderle.
"Businesses can then be assured that iPhone-using employees will be able to communicate reliably.
"In short, wait until the iPhone 3G exits 'beta' and meets your company's needs before embracing it."
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iPhone 3G Beta
Duh! Has this guy seen all the patches that Microsoft pelts out almost every week! What does he have to say about that? Don't buy cheap inferior software or else you'll be downloading a patch every week???
Posted by: lrd 20 Jul 2008
Caution may pay a dividend.
Corporate support by the iPhone 2.0 update for my original 2.5G iPhone seems functional tho not a complete implementation. Just connecting the dots takes a bit of work, tho it seems to work well once it all is set up. Enderle's advice isn't bad; I just happen to buy the original iPhone because it was way cool without all the business trappings. Now I can get Exchange mail via VPN, including calendar, and that's good for me, I don't need the whole mobile biz warrior enchilada. Other employees have stronger work requirements from their phones; they're the ones who need to pay attention to what, if anything, is missing that they need.
Posted by: Michael Brian Bentley 19 Jul 2008
Enderle's still waiting for Microsoft
to come out with a phone. He has long been a 'nay-sayer' on anything Apple does and is not even relevant when speaking about them. Apple has maximized what a mobile can do with the hardware available. Battery could be a problem if you are in some remote area backpacking, but are these the target? I don't think so. I too hope for those 2 little screws at the top of the phone to give us the ability to switch batteries in a pinch but for most users that's not going to be a problem in the scheme of use in a day. We'll see. But Mr. Enderle will never give Apple a fair and balanced review. Google him and see for yourself.
Posted by: DavidK 19 Jul 2008
Enderle's predictions on Apple as "nearly always completely wrong (at least regarding Apple)
Rob Enderle predicted Apple's decline, in 2003 ("The biggest long-term problem with moving to an Apple platform is that the company is in decline.". Source: Wired). In the "Apple Death Knell Counter" at Macobserver.com, Enderle has been cited as predicting the demise of the Macintosh more times since 1995 than any other industry observer.[5] Technology observer John Gruber has described Enderle's predictions on Apple as "nearly always completely wrong (at least regarding Apple)"[6], and that "the only way it would be worthwhile for tech reporters to continue to press Enderle for quotes would be if they were willing to describe him as ?almost always utterly wrong?, thus letting readers know that the opposite of what he claims is probably the case".[7]
Posted by: me 19 Jul 2008
the analyst in Enderle
Whenever I hear the name Enderle, I duck swiftly; hand on my wallet! As a matter of facts, users also shouldn't have been so keen on adapting to Windows Mobile (I gave my pocket PC to one of my sons, a seven year old!). The amount money, this guys' opinions must have cost businesses and individuals alike, is by now immeasurable. Anyway, interesting to see how VNU ventilates his opinions, very old world tech-centric person who's trying to see clear through the dust of a stampede taking place around him and denying it at the same time...
Posted by: henk 19 Jul 2008
Activesync isn't beta
granted the user-created apps tend to be buggy, but the activesync technology Apple licensed isn't exactly beta software and chances are many businesses are already using it somewhere. That said ANY new product/software needs to be thoroughly before adopting it whole hog into the enterprise, this includes things like Vista and Office 2007 which have caused quite a few issues.
Posted by: john 18 Jul 2008
HAHHAHHA
You'll also have to wait until Windows Mobile exits early alpha. I still can't understand why people are still asking for R. Enderle's opinion.
Posted by: xXx 18 Jul 2008
I thought the 3g iphone had the best in class battery?
Several reviews have already been done in the 3g iphone, and it came out on top. Check out PC magazine, not a friend of the Mac. Why do you give your readers and clients such bad advise? Do some research before you publish.
Posted by: greg 18 Jul 2008
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Posted by: AriesTrade 18 Jul 2008
analysis
Large enterprises will hold off regardless of how good the iPhone performs; its simply the way big business works. Apple will continue to innovate and dominate new technology markets because its in their DNA. Apple doesn't have to "control" the early reviews. Sounds like this review is a bit of "payback" for all that unwarranted positive press.
Posted by: jack53 18 Jul 2008
3G POS
Yet another half done but glitzy product. HOW ABOUT A TASK LIST. HOW ABOUT A REAL SYNC (NOTES)
Posted by: Rita Bustamante 18 Jul 2008
What he means is
What he really meant to say is, "It would be better for employees and their companies if purchases of the iPhone 3G were delayed until RIM gets a shot at the market with the wide release of their BOLD handset in September". I smell pay off.
Posted by: Vlunick 18 Jul 2008
Want my old iPhone back!
Although I love my iPhone, I have to say the original iPhone launch was far smoother and less troublesome than the 3G. I feel like I'm using a beta product right now, I never felt like that with the first iPhone. I upgraded my old one to the 3G and regret doing that so soon. The new features they added that I've really wanted, like 3G and PUSH email, don't work well and drain the battery like crazy. 3G never runs at full speed and is often as slow as EDGE. The coverage isn't as good either, so I get less bars in less places compared to EDGE. I also lost a lot of functionality that I had before, like the ability to charge my phone from my car's built in iPod connector, listen to voicemail from my bluetooth headset, ect.
Posted by: Ray 18 Jul 2008