When Steve Jobs announced the new features that will accompany the next generation of iPhone devices, users cheered (a little), developers balked and competitors like Research In Motion, Ltd. (RIM, the makers of BlackBerry) and Microsoft probably fidgeted nervously.
The iPhone 2.0 software—which Steve Jobs announced at an Apple Inc. Town Hall meeting at its headquarters in Cupertino, California—includes several new features that will put it in direct head to compete with the likes of Windows Mobile and BlackBerry.
Competitor to BlackBerry?
Probably the most anticipated feature of the new iPhone devices is their support for Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync, which allows iPhone users to synchronize emails, contacts and calendars with Exchange Server.
Microsoft's Exchange Server is one of the largest actively deployed e-mail solutions in corporate enterprises and offices, and Apple's support for Exchange and push e-mail is expected to sway a lot of users from the very successful BlackBerry, currently the most popular way for road warriors to keep in touch with their local corporate networks.
Third Party Applications
Apple also announced the iPhone Software Development Kit (SDK). This feature, eagerly awaited by software developers and end users, allows custom software to be developed and used by the iPhone.
The first generation iPhones did not allow users to download, install or modify the iPhone in any way.
Letdown?
But despite the excitement of the iPhone's new features, it appeared to be a letdown, especially to end users.
While allowing third party applications to be installed, iPhone users will only be able to install applications hosted on Apple's own App Store, through the iTunes software. In addition, developers will have to pay to access the software development toolkits and to post software on Apple's App Store.
In addition, Steve Jobs snubbed Adobe's Flash, saying that the full version was too slow and the mobile version too limited to be included in the iPhone. Industry analysts from publications such as InformationWeek and Wired are anticipating that this means Apple might build its own system for rich Internet applications.
Adobe Flash is currently the most popular tool used for creating rich Internet applications and web-based multimedia and animations. It has lately been gaining popularity in serving videos, such as on YouTube.
Apple shares went up about 40 cents the day after the announcement, and have steadily increased since then.
Feeds