Nine Hangups that Threaten to Keep the iPhone Disconnected from the Enterprise

Apples directing its iPhone marketing push at the iPod-toting consumer crowd, but considering the forthcoming devices smart-phone attributes, theres no shortage of enterprise users out there salivating to bring the iPhone into their corporate infrastru

Current enterprise smart-phone devices earn their keep on the strength of their messaging capabilities. Apple has announced that the iPhone will work with IMAP mail, but so far it appears that the device must lie outside of the Microsoft Exchange, BlackBe

According to Apple, the iPhone will be a closed garden, with no third-party application support or development avenues. Instead, Apple is encouraging companies to bring software to the iPhone via Web 2.0 routes. It remains to be seen how well this constra

Data synchronization for the iPhone will require that iTunes be installed on user systems, which should raise a red flag for IT departments interested in keeping workers focused on work. Whats more, the requirement that iPhone users maintain both AT&T Wi

The iPhone carries a hefty $500 to $600 price tag, with no price breaks for the multiyear contracts that Apple and AT&T will require, as well as separate bills for voice and data services–all of which should leave companies wondering how much the snazzy

Apples enterprise outreach and support typically underwhelm us. Are the people behind the iPod prepared to provide–or even interested in providing– enterprise-class support for the iPhone?

BlackBerry and its ilk jumped to prominence in large part due to its thumb-keyboard. Will the software-based virtual keyboard that the iPhone sports measure up?

Apple and AT&T are outfitting the iPhone with a 2.5G EDGE (Enhanced Data for Global Evolution) wireless radio, instead of AT&Ts speedier UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) radio. With the bulk of the iPhones application support relegated

Theres no question that the iPhone is a slick-looking piece of hardware, but so was Apples ill-fated Mac Cube. Will the iPhones scratch-resistant glass hold up under duress, and will IT departments rue the iPhones lack of a user-replaceable battery?

With only one wireless carrier option available for the iPhone–in contrast to the more polygamous Palm Treo–enterprises will likely miss the leverage of playing multiple wireless providers off against each other to hold vendors feet to the fire on pri

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