In an attempt to increase market share, it seems Microsoft is releasing a more "Windows 7" looking phone OS. Google has the Droid, Apple has the Iphone, and BlackBerry has... business. A good friend of mine swore up and down that he "had to have a BlackBerry to take care of business" and that iPhones were toys. After throwing his second BlackBerry Storm against the wall (seriously), he bought an iPhone and subsequently swore he would never buy anything else. He then spent $2000 on an iMac.
Is iPhone and iOS the best out there? Not important. What is important is that the software giants are starting to realize that a truly innovative OS capable of satisfying customer needs in all facets of their lives is key. The article points out how BlackBerry enjoys 70% of the corporate market share. It also points out that BlackBerry is essentially the mandated phone/OS combination for many companies. It's hard to believe this will continue if employees are given a choice. Companies like Google and Apple are providing many more quality applications for everyday users than Blackberry. BlackBerry's business savvy technology, however, is indisputable . Microsoft, on the other hand, may have a good head start. They have been in the smart phone arena for some time with windows mobile, and their Microsoft Exchange Server provides collaboration along with seamless integration with their dominating Microsoft Office Suite.
Integrating all parts of the customer's life is key. Once businesses begin providing the means for employees to use their smart phone of choice, all aspects from application development to company wide integration will be changed. The importance of cross-platform capability will be at an all time high. And who knows, there may come a day when the technology allows us to get back to carrying ONE PHONE.
With things like Skype and Google calls we might even be heading to a time when all of our computing, collaborating, and work is done on one device about the size of a Kindle or iPad. Too big to keep with you at all times? I remember how small my Nokia was in 2001, and now I can't imagine giving up my bulky iPhone.
I agree with you Chas. With the move toward cloud computing and everything on an internet interface it is not inconceivable that the PC may soon be obsolete. We may soon be integrating everything into one device, although it may look nothing like what we call a phone today. Innovation does not have a set shape so who knows what people will be carrying around in a few years.
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