iPhone Business or Toy
So the question is the iPhone a good business tool of a toy?
Most top executives have used the Blackberry for a long time now bug some see the iPhone as a toy. Now I use mine for work and personal.
Having the Exchange push technology let’s me keep up with email. I like to be able to use other functions for work to, the currency converter is handy for example. Viewing attachments such as Excel, Word, PDF and even Powerpoint. As I mentioned in my earlier post I switched from a Windows Mobile phone. I think there is a perception that the iphone is a toy but that would be incorrect.
Let’s talk about email. Yes Windows Mobile had the features for synchronizing and pushing email, I even had a hacked version of Blackberry Connect. But the interface was poor and cumbersum and the data sync had issues such as if you moved email in outlook to a folder it would just stay in the inbox. Viewing attachments was difficult on the small screen. None of this could be said about the iPhone.
But now is web browsing and the app store just toys and for fun. Well it depends how you use them it can be very useful for business as well as for fun. Take the simple Hotels.com app great when you need a hotel at the last minute due to travel problems (FAA systems down today). Forget the address you are heading to, use google maps or search the web.
Now I know everyone is different and some will not give up their Blackberry but the iphone is a legitimate business tool.
But also letting me carry my Podcasts, favourite music, alarm clock, and even a phone in one device is perfect.
Now the iPhone has it’s moments when a reboot is required and backing up takes forever, but it works and is user friendly.
Of course there are many reviews and thoughts on this device but
they don’t look at it from a plain users point of view.
Why does the iphone work? Well reading the Wired article some time ago simply because Apple had control of the design and technology. Something that Microsoft and others can now use to their advantage without the phone companies dictating design and functionality. With all the clones out and coming out I look forward to Android and future Windows Mobile devices. I would not rule out Microsoft just yet.
