Daily Marauder

THANK YOU APPLE: SDK AND ENTERPRISE SOLUTION RELEASE

On Thursday, Apple released two major developments for the iPhone.  Click on any of the images below to watch the full presentation.

iPhone as Enterprise Solution

and  

The Open SDK (Software Developer’s Kit)

I took a little time with this most recent announcement.  John Doerr from KPCB had this to say about the iPhone during the presentation, “It’s bigger than the personal computer.” I couldn’t agree more.  I think this recent development is one of the largest developments in technology in several decades.

At the beginning of the presentation, Jobs runs down the Q4 smartphone market share currently at 28% for the iPhone second only to RIM at 41%.  Here’s the real kicker though:

U.S. Mobile Browser Usage

71% of all mobile users who browse on a mobile phone use the iPhone to do it.  Holy iPhone batman!  More on these stats in a second.

The Enterprise Solution

i.e. I can ditch the BlackBerry and use the iPhone instead.  The iPhone has decided to play nice in the corporate sandbox.  As someone who lives in a multiple device world, I couldn’t be happier about this development.

Here’s what’s been keeping the iPhone from being the go-to enterprise solution:

The List of Corporate Requests to Make the iPhone an Accessible Solution

The iPhone currently can’t do any of the above.  I would add one another annoyance in using this device as my solution in the workplace.  The keyboard still gives me problems and I’ve been using mine since August.  Granted, I have the shakiest hands around and a lack of focus but the keyboard still gives me problems.  Apart from this, Apple has solved all of the above in their latest release.

Push services including email, calendar and contacts is the coolest to a regular user like me.  I want to have access to e-mail instantly without either requesting it or waiting the time limit to receive. 

Now, remember that the smartphone market share is second only to RIM?  Well, it seems as though Apple and Microsoft are gunning for RIM in the following diagram.

RIM vs. iPhone Access to the Microsoft Exchange Server

On the top is RIM’s current process of accessing data from the Microsoft Exchange Server: complicated, unsecure, and costly.  Observe the lower graphic explaining the iPhone’s process of accessing the Microsoft Exchange server.  Hmmm. . . .seems oddly less complicated and more secure.  RIM, Apple’s got your number.

The SDK Release

This release allows developers access to the SAME API available to Apple’s internal development team.  Previous to this, developers could only develop web apps for the iPhone using Safari to access (i.e. not native to the iPhone itself).  Now while the iPhone web apps that were created were pretty hot:

Facebook Web App

Bank of America Web App

the level of creativity was limited to the restrictions of the web browser environment.  Now, Apple has solved the problem in response to a host of developers insisting as much.  

MacOS X platform

The only difference between this and the platform for development on the iPhone?  Cocoa which revolves around usage of a keyboard and mouse (obvi) has been replaced with Cocoa Touch which revolves around usage of the iPhone touch screen instead.  Cool beans.

In addition, Apple has released an Apple Simulator for a Mac laptop or desktop.  In essence, create an app and then simulate what it will look like either on the phone itself or on a computer screen.  Hot.

Here are some examples of the new apps.

Apple-Developed Application Developed in 2 Days

Looks like a guy I dated once.  Users can manipulate photos in fun ways directly on the iPhone.

Apple-Developed Application Developed in 2 Weeks

This game is called Touch Fighter.  Using the touch screen, users can tap and shoot anywhere on the screen.  Using the accelerometer, users can move the iPhone to control the direction of flight.  I can’t WAIT to check out people playing around with crazy games on the subway platform.  Talk about throwing your Wii controller through your TV screen.  What about accidentally punching someone in the face as your trying to play a game on your iPhone?!  [sigh] iPhone violence.

Apple also invited outside engineers to create some apps of their own giving them 2 weeks to develop.

Electronic Arts-Developed Application Developed in 2 Weeks

It’s Spore on the iPhone.  The green blob on the screen is your spore.  Your mission is to eat organisms smaller than you.  Move the spore by moving around the phone (utilizing the accelerometer).

AOL-Developed Application Developed in 2 Weeks

AIM on the iPhone. . .finally.

Steve Jobs comes back to the stage to chat about how the business model for app sales is gonna go.

The App Store

Here’s what the store looks like on the phone.  Very iTunes like.  Here’s the cool part.  Users can download these apps directly from the phone either via cell network or using a Wi-Fi connection.

Here’s how the store works. 

Price of App: Determined by Developer

Share of Profits: 70% to developer, 30% to Apple (like the iTunes model)

Here’s the price for developers to start developing apps for the iPhone.

Security:  Apple can say no to malicious apps.

Timeline: Late June for iPhone software upgrade.  Similar upgrade will be available for the iPod touch.  While the upgrade is free to iPhone users (Woot!), not the case for iPod Touch users.  Some nominal fee will be applied.

iFund

In partnership with KPCB, a 100 million dollar fund has been established to fund entrepreneurs interested in developing for the iPhone platform.

Marauder’s Last Word

I couldn’t be MORE EXCITED about this.  Apple responds to consumers’ wishes quickly and effectively to provide features that users want.  I can’t think of any other company able to respond this nimbly to the marketplace. 

My only question on the enterprise side: I wonder how easy it will be to keep my enterprise solution separated from my personal life solution.  I don’t know about many of you but trying to keep the work life balance is a constant process for me.  At times, I’ll turn my BlackBerry off for a weekend to quiet down the madness.  I know that the mail account on an iPhone can be shut off just as easily but I wonder how easy it will be to separate my work contacts from my personal contacts especially in cases where they overlap.  Oi! 

On the SDK side, I am excited that the release is finally here but wish we could have it a bit sooner than June (otherwise known as the 1 year anniversary of the iPhone).  What comes next?  3G fo’ sho’. . .at least that’ what I’m hoping for.

THANK YOU APPLE.  It’s exciting to see a company able to provide quality features quickly.  An inspiration to all of us.