Image Source: Engadget
Phew – that was a longer and stronger event than I expected somehow. There will be more than enough time to analyze and speculate on all the finer points over the next few (3) months – but here are some of our very quick reactions to what we heard today, and discussed via email with Dan and Brandon:
The Bad:
June. I thought we heard almost all great things today. I am very psyched to see full Exchange support, and of course to see apps, apps, apps. 3 months seems an awful long time to wait for iPhone 2.0 software. How much would we have loved to see a ‘Boom – and you can get ’em today’ moment on some of those demo-ed apps?
No word on MMS, Copy&paste etc. – Not surprising though. These are still OS-level changes that should not need any 3rd party help. Hopefully we’ll see these announced or given via an interim 1.x update.
The Good:
Exchange and Enterprise Support features. They hit a home run here I think. Sounds like we’ll get pretty much *everything* an Exchange user or corporate IT person would want in this area. And this should be a huge boost to iPhone sales, as it knocks down lots of barriers for business use. In the Q&A after the event, somebody asked if RIM should be worried – Apple’s answer was diplomatic. I’d say the answer is a resounding Yes – this is a first big step in that direction.
Brandon’s Thoughts On Exchange and Enterprise:
Exchange: Microsoft had better hold onto their butts. This could get rough for Windows Mobile!! Especially given that Cisco VPN, 802.1x etc are going to be supported. The iPhone just got seriously positioned to become a major enterprise player! The only thing I see being an issue is the IT department… and I’d be willing to bet a good percentage of them already own one. I know there’s more than a few iPhones in the IOC where I work. Hell, CNN is already telling people to get ready for the iPhone to go corporate.
SDK Sounds Stronger Than Expected – It did not sound like any sort of early beta. Sounds like it is more than enough for developers to get going and crank apps out by June.
Demo-ed Apps Looked Great: No real surprise there, but still very cool what could be ‘knocked up’ quite quickly to harness some of the iPhone’s power.
App Store & Wireless Delivery: We can get apps via iTunes and via the App Store directly on the phone. And auto-updates to apps. This sounds like it should at least match, and probably beat Installer – especially on things like glitzy presentation of apps, and commentary on featured and popular ones etc.
The Deal for Developers: We’ll have much more on this later – some real good stuff. But 70% share for devs, and just a $99 entry point seem like great news, much better than expected.
$100 Million Venture Funds: More good news for devs I would think – and a heck of a good answer to Google’s financial incentives to develop for the upcoming Android platform.
VOIP Apps Will Be Allowed: In the Q&A they said they’d be allowed over WiFi, only the cellular network would be restricted. That seems fair enough.
The Platform: Dan told me that "I think this does more than just add functionality to the iPhone- it expands it into a new platform (as El Stevo said) and it going to knock other RIM, WM and Android on their silicon arses." I think today reinforces for me the idea that the iPhone and iPod Touch really do represent the first *real* mobile computing platform. They feel like mobile computers, not just smartphones, and today is another big step in taking the platform forward.
Other Interesting Points:
No mention of Lotus Notes. Who cares? I really don’t know anyone who enjoys using Notes, only some folks who feel shackled to it because of where they work.
iPhone has 71% of US Mobile Browser Share – Another stunning number. Again, for all those who say the iPhone really hasn’t had much impact, explain that one away …
Parental Controls Will Be Built Into 2.0 - Nice to see that. Only problem with it is that, as we’ve seen very clearly during the iPhone’s short life, the 13 year olds (and up) are far smarter than all of us parents out here!
Overall, despite the letdown of having to wait 3 months for new apps, I feel like today was a very exciting day, a day that gave me a real buzz about the iPhone again.
My optimism I talked about in recent posts did not prove right on things like seeing some apps available very quickly after today’s event – but today did not dent my overall optimism at all – boosted it in fact.
Brandon’s overall thought: All in all, I’m really excited. The platform is growing, Apple seems quite committed to it, and with a possibility of a 3G iPhone by the end of the year – Microsoft, Symbian and RIM had better start looking to the future – because right now, I think Apple owns it.
Now … what do you all think? Excited after today? Disappointed? What’s your mood like?
Continue reading:
- Everything New Apple Just Announced (Septembe
- Apple Watch Pre-Order
- Apple Research Kit launches with 5 Apps
- Apple TV now only $69
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