The Importance of the App Store
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Tethering has been a common feature in most
BlackBerry devices for quite some time. Users can attach their
smartphones to a PC via USB and share its
Internet connection with the computer, giving it access to the Web. It's a
feature that many in the business world require to get their job done. And
it has been a conspicuous omission in previous iterations of the iPhone
software. But now, it's available in the new iPhone software version, and
companies are undoubtedly taking notice.
The App Store
There's no debating that the iPhone is now capable of providing an
experience that's similar to what RIM has been offering with its BlackBerry
devices for years. But that doesn't necessarily make it more
appealing. At most, the new iPhone software version puts it on par with
what RIM already offers. Realizing that, it's necessary that the
enterprise find those features that make the iPhone more appealing before it
can decide which device it should use next. And nowhere is that more
apparent than in the Apple App Store.
RIM has a relatively new app store called the BlackBerry App
World. It's growing. But at this point, it doesn't match Apple's
store on any level. According to Apple in its keynote earlier this week at
the World Wide Developers Conference, its store now has over 50,000 apps. Some
are free and others are paid. A quick glance at the "Business"
listing of apps in the store reveals 57 pages of free and paid apps. That's
more than 1,000 apps designed specifically for the iPhone that appeals in some
way to the business world. And in my experience, many of those apps (I'm
looking at you, QuickOffice) are ideal for what businesses are doing.
Apple's App Store extends the functionality of the device far beyond
anything RIM can do with its own stable of apps from the BlackBerry App
World. It's a real issue for RIM-and a real advantage for Apple.
Pricing
RIM's BlackBerry is expensive. Even with a two-year contract, the BlackBerry
Bold costs $249.99. The BlackBerry Storm will set users back
$199.99. Compare that to the iPhone 3G's price tag of $99 and the iPhone
3G S's baseline price tag of $199, and it quickly becomes clear that for your
money, you're getting far more from the iPhone than the
BlackBerry. Consumers already know that. How long will it take before
the enterprise finds out too?
You can bet it won't be long. Once the
iPhone software Version 3.0 is released and the iPhone 3G S hits store shelves,
the enterprise will finally have the software it needs to make the switch to
the iPhone. It won't be easy and there will be some issues along the way,
but rest assured that the iPhone is the future in the enterprise. And RIM
and its competitors better take notice.
