Posted by The Blogging Desk on Fri, Jul 15, 2011
Press Release via MacRumors:
Streamline your purchasing process and put more power and productivity in the hands of your workforce. Every paid app in the App Store is available for businesses to buy in volume through the program website. Simply search for the apps you need, enter the quantity you want to buy, and complete the transaction with your corporate credit card. Apps are available for purchase at the same price listed in the App Store.
A few years ago, I would have been slapped in the face if I had brought up the possible enterprise implications of the iPhone. Have you ever had a frappé slapped out of your hands sending the sweet, delicious drink onto your khakis? It's not enjoyable. Or financially wise, for that matter.
However, this volume licensing does matter financially for companies that need to sort out many hundred, thousands...or even tens of apps for their employees. It can get hairy passing around an iTunes account for users and keeping tracks of apps. That should get easier with iCloud but now the big bosses can buy apps in massive quantities and keep track of their items that way. Boom!
I'd like to see if Windows Phone 7 can make things like that happen. They're a little slow to the draw on many features but they seems to be catching up slowly but surely. At this point, I wonder if Ballmer now considers the iPhone a threat in the enterprise market?
Posted by The Blogging Desk on Mon, Jun 20, 2011
Many folks are indeed curious about whether or not Apple will finally cause a stir in the Enterprise scene with regards to Microsoft and possibly even Google. Microsoft as of now essentially owns the Enterprise game. No question about it. Google is starting to make a push with their Google Chrome OS, but has already made a dent thanks to their Google Apps suite. Even if you don't go all-in with Google Apps, you can still utilize the Office suite of apps to make sure your files mingle with others.
As a user, I'm excited with regards to iCloud in that I won't have to sync my iOS devices in order to backup or even to get certain songs or apps onto both my iPhone and iPad. Right now, when creating and editing documents, I don't use Pages, which is Apple's version of Microsoft Word. I use a third-party app called PlainText and even then, I use another third-party service to sync those Text files - Dropbox. For the casual user, that option is quite complicated. That's where I see iCloud making a difference.
Pages would then allow a user to create a document and have that file match all of your other devices inside of the cloud. You wouldn't need to worry about signing up for Dropbox and tracking the file down on the web or otherwise, it will just show up inside of your apps and on your Mac. It's likely that Apple will release this API for similar apps to use iCloud when storing this date, but that last part is really where Apple's vision is separate from Microsoft. At least for now.
Apple's iCloud really banks on your using an iOS device or a Mac. Recent reports are muddy that their web-interface version will even show up in September. Let's say you create a new Pages document on your iPad and would like to edit that on your work desktop which is Windows 7. Right now, that may not even be possible unless you email that file to yourself. That's not so futuristic. Apple wants you in their eco-system entirely to get all of their goodies they offer. iCloud is free, sure. But how much did you pay for that Mac mini, or iPad? That's where their profit comes in.
Apple would love to make money from the Enterprise, but for now, they're happy with getting individual users locked into their eco-system. If you work at a company that has Windows everything - iCloud won't matter to you. Even if you work at a company that has started to phase in iPads for some light remote usage, iCloud won't matter to you.
I really think Apple is happy with Windows and possibly even Google figuring out the Enterprise market. Once their hands are firmly around small to mid-sized businesses, Apple will probably step in and show just how easy it could be if those same businesses went all-in with Apple hardware and services.
Plus, have you ever tried to talk about Apple products with a guy that lives in Microsoft OneNote? It makes you want to jump out of the nearest window. I suppose we're still a few years out from having Steve Jobs prevent me from jumping out of that window.
Posted by The Blogging Desk on Thu, Jun 02, 2011
(this article first appeared on Technorati.)
Apple® CEO Steve Jobs and a team of Apple executives will kick off the company’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) with a keynote address on Monday, June 6 at 10:00 a.m. At the keynote, Apple will unveil its next generation software - Lion, the eighth major release of Mac OS® X; iOS 5, the next version of Apple’s advanced mobile operating system which powers the iPad®, iPhone® and iPod touch®; and iCloud®, Apple’s upcoming cloud services offering.
Notice how I didn't end that title with "change the enterprise game"? Not a fan of "gamechanger". Not saying "gamechanger" is the new gamechanger.
But let's get serious here, folks. Apple is set to reveal plans for their iOS 5 software in a few weeks which will include details regarding their iCloud suite of cloud services. Is it possible that this could turn the enterprise field on its head?
I started using an iPhone for work email way back in 2008. It was a different era back then. People were still using Windows Mobile. Those same people were using a stylus to type and thought that I was a witch for laughing at them. I was nearly burned at the Frappuccino machnine, er, stake.
Time change, though, and now non-iPhone users are the ones being chuckled at. But there is still hesitation in the enterprise field with iPhones and now iPads. IT Managers are hesistant to use "Apps" in order to access data. They would much rather RDP into a terminal and call it a day. Sure, you can remote in from an iPad, but still folks aren't happy.
I know several people that aren't pleased with the email client on iOS, still. I don't like it mainly because it makes it easy for me to read emails. I hate email. Almost as much as talking on the phone.
I think the real talking point will be the iCloud services. While it may not be the secure unicorn IT Managers are hoping for, the amount of built-in system issues this could solve will definately turn heads. Who wants to so sync phones to an actual computer, anway? Not this guy. And certainly not enterprise users.
Posted by The Blogging Desk on Fri, May 06, 2011
Microsoft:
At Research In Motion’s annual Blackberry World on Tuesday, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer announced on stage a new alliance between Microsoft and RIM, outlining how the two companies can work together to help people make better decisions with Bing on BlackBerry devices. Central to this collaboration, Blackberry devices will use Bing as the preferred search provider in the browser, and Bing will be the default search and map application for new devices presented to mobile operators, both in the United States and internationally. Also, effective Monday, Bing was designated the preferred search and maps applications with regular, featured placement and promotion in the BlackBerry App World carousel.
Hurrah! Our dreams have been answered. Just kidding! Nobody uses BlackBerry's anymore. Or maybe you do, and have just unsubscribed from this RSS feed. In which case, sorry.
Does this partnership with RIM mean that Microsoft doesn't trust their own phone platform in the enterprise? Maybe. Even so, why partner with a platform that is seemingly losing ground in the enterprise field? The iPhone is moving fast and furious into companies all over the world while nobody is jumping onto BlackBerry anything for their corporate needs.
I like the Windows Phone platform, but it's just not selling as MS had hoped. At least not yet. But, RIM? Will they even have a smartphone market in 5 years? I'll bet you $10 that RIM ditches their own smartphone OS and signs with either Microsoft or Android. A whole $10!
Do you even know how many Frappé's that can buy? About two and half, actually. Don't wait until it's too late to get your own corporate mobile network secure. You know want to end up like the PSN network, do you?
Posted by The Blogging Desk on Mon, Apr 25, 2011
Wired:
You should care about Apple's collection of geodata on iPhones, iPads and iPod Touch devices, because the method is flawed.
To be clear, "care" doesn't mean you should smash your iPhone with a hammer, rip out the GPS chip and gulp it down your throat. This isn't an issue of "Big Brother is watching."
It's just a matter of a security flaw that puts your location data at risk if it gets in the wrong hands -- not an immediate concern, but a concern nonetheless.
Two data scientists broke the news Wednesday that an unencrypted file stored on iOS devices contains a detailed log of the device's geographical data dating back 10 months. The scientists also wrote a program, allowing you to plug in your iOS device and automatically output the geodata into an interactive map, just so you could see for yourself.
Uh-oh, speghettiio. It seems like Apple is becoming the new Google, am I right?
It seems like the iPhone, our most favorite phone ever, is caching some location information every time you use a location services. For instance, if you use that awful Foursquare service to tag yourself at the local Dairy Queen. You need to enable this services yourself, mind you. From then on, Apple uses this stored information to improve the location services on the phone. The problem is, it doesn't automatically delete this information from your phone.
The folks that found this information created an app so that you can view your own year-long string of location info. I've seen a few screen shots online, and for travelers, it's pretty spooky. I haven't looked at my own database, mainly because it would just be a string of dots from home and work. I don't lead an extravagant life, you see. Though, trips to Starbucks are usually a big deal around the house.
It remains to be seen if Apple will comment on the matter, but various outlets suggest that it may be corrected with a software update. If you'd like to talk to Trigon about the security of your mobile devices, feel free to contact us.
Posted by The Blogging Desk on Tue, Apr 19, 2011
- by Jon, "Pretty Boy", Pentecost
Now you can accept credit cards on your iPhone 4, iPod touch (4th generation), or iPad, according to this website. Simply attach the card reader to your device, download the free Square app, complete the online sign-up, and you are ready to accept transactions.
The website indicates that signing up is easy and there are no contracts or other items to worry about. Every time you swipe, there is a 2.75% transaction fee from Square and that is it. Sounds pretty simple to me – no complex contracts to worry about or bills you have to pay ahead of time. Just buy the $9.95 device ($10 redemption code is currently included – that means they pay you a nickel to get it!!), put in some info, and you are all set.
Now come the big questions – do you think this would be worth it for everyone? Obviously for some merchants, it isn’t because the fees that they are charged per transaction are much less (can you imagine scanning to an iPad in Walmart??). What about security – would you feel safe entering your PIN number on an iPhone that a street vendor is selling T-shirts from? Are the transactions all sent immediately through a WiFi connection or are they stored on the device until a secure connection can be made?
Depending on the situation, this would be great to have, as you can now start having the average start-up company able to use credit cards before they get really established and pay to get their service setup. It also will make life easier for those that have a mobile force for being able to add credit card services available (ever get stuck on the side of the road and need AAA?). I personally think this is a great tool and is great in a number of situations and the security potential risks are greatly outweighed by the benefits.
Posted by The Blogging Desk on Thu, Apr 14, 2011
Joshua Topolsky:
But the PlayBook isn’t hitting home runs just yet. The OS is still buggy and somewhat touchy. Third-party apps are a desert right now, if not in number, then certainly in quality. The lack of native email and calendar support hurts. The worst part, however, is that I can’t think of a single reason to recommend this tablet over the iPad 2, or for that matter… the Xoom. And that’s what it really boils down to here; what is the compelling feature that will make buyers choose the PlayBook over something else? I don’t have that answer, but that’s not what’s troubling me — what troubles me is that I don’t think RIM has the answer either… and they should by now.
Sounds like trouble in Canada.
The most striking part about RIM's PlayBook is that there are no native emails and calendar apps built-in to the device. You can't just walk into Best Buy and treat this like an iPad. Well, you can, but you need to also have a BlackBerry device with the latest software. If you do, you can enable a "Bridge" mode on both devices that will allow you to share the email and calendering capabilities.
I don't think most folks would have a problems with the email app snafu if RIM was just marketing this to business and enterprise users. It doesn't seem that way with their ads and the fact that it's called "PlayBook". They make it seem like it's for everyone and a legit tablet competitor. Well, I guess there's nothing more fun than being separated from work tasks.
The app situation doesn't seem all that great for RIM either, judging from reviews. I think this really leaves a spot for HP's TouchPad. HP deals with many vedors and OEMS and have recently shown their Citrix app for enterprise. It's a start, and these PlayBook reviews certainly leave a chance for HP to take over the #2 spot. Either way, we still have the perfect options for your enterprise support.
Posted by The Blogging Desk on Tue, Apr 12, 2011
WinRumors:
The screenshots show Microsoft’s new application store for Windows. The store appears to be running in Windows 7, hinting that the software giant may also be planning to offer its app store for legacy versions of Windows. Cnbeta posted the screenshots on Monday, however WinRumors is unable to confirm their authenticity at this time. The screenshots appear to show a number of Microsoft’s own software, including third party software from Opera and Mozilla.
Microsoft is known to be working on an App Store for Windows 8 and the naming in the leaked screenshots is of interest. The company recently filed an objection to Apple’s use of the term “App Store”, claiming the phrase is generic. If today’s screenshots are genuine then this explains why Microsoft is fighting hard to use the “App Store” branding.
First, I should warn you that the ads on that site are incredibly intrusive. It took me about 20 minutes to paste that text onto our blog. The future, indeed, WinRumors.
So, Windows is taking a page from Apple's book with an attempt at simplifying the app process on their operation system. Is it odd that they waited for Apple to try something revolutionary before they even bothered? Yes. Is it a great idea? Yes.
Apple created their Mac App Store because they thought that new/novice user wouldn't search out apps because it was too daunting. They were worried about downloading apps that couldn't be trusted and perhaps contained viruses.
Windows looks to be attempting the same thing even though their userbase is rocksolid and has been for years. If their App Store runs much like the Mac version, it would be nice to keep all of your apps contained through the same update process. Nobody wants to get updates from Flash every three seconds about an update that will most likely crash the app more often than not. Well, maybe you do. But I don't.
Intesting in the screenshot is a link to download Windows 7 Ultimate. Hmmm.
Another interesting aspect of these Windows 8 leaks are the shots of a tiled interface that would work on tablets. But that may be a blog for another day. The bottom line is that if Microsoft approves these apps themselves, it could mean a more secure computer for your friends, family, and coworkers.
Posted by The Blogging Desk on Thu, Mar 24, 2011
Dan Frommer:
While the company is still only selling simple Kindle e-readers, Amazon has quietly built all the tools it needs to compete against Apple and the other tablet makers with its own Android-based tablets.
Amazon just launched its Android app store today. It could easily end up better than Google's built-in Android Market. Why? Because Amazon cares about building a better storefront than Google. And because Amazon has better e-commerce tools and vision than just about anyone.
Amazon's music store and video streaming service are as close to Apple's iTunes as it gets. That's one of the big problems with the Motorola Xoom, for example -- nice, big screen, but no legit source of movies to stream. Amazon tablets would have an answer. Amazon Prime members can stream unlimited movies and TV episodes from a small (but inevitably growing) library of content. That sounds like a great bonus feature for Amazon tablets.
Would Amazon be able to make a play in the tablet space? Their new Amazon Appstore is a curious move for the company unless they're indeed planning a tablet. Amazon is the only competitor to Apple that would be able to compete with movies, music, and apps all at the same time. Google has proven unreliable when it comes to offering similar media. Their own App Store is a muddled mess of spam or apps that seem to rip each other off. Some with exactly the same icons.
The Kindle has been slowly dropping in price ever since it's been released, and some have speculated that in you follow the pattern, it will become free this November. My guess is that the current form Kindle will become free when signing up for an Amazon Prime account. Then, Amazon will reveal their Android tablet, specially customized with their Appstore built-in. You'd be able to seamlessly buy Kindle books via the tablet, and also peruse their Appstore without having to go through the convoluted process that you need to when installing on an Android phone now. Also, you can't even install the Amazon Appstore on an AT&T Android phone.
The Xoom has been released but doesn't look like it can complete. An Amazon tablet could very well be the answer.
Posted by The Blogging Desk on Thu, Feb 03, 2011
All Things D:
Apple’s made no change to its App Store Guidlines, it’s simply enforcing a rule that’s been in them all along: apps that offer purchases elsewhere must support in-app purchases as well. “We have not changed our developer terms or guidelines,” company spokesperson Trudy Miller told me. “We are now requiring that if an app offers customers the ability to purchase books outside of the app, that the same option is also available to customers from within the app with in-app purchase.”
Let me set the stage for you, friend. Sony had just submitted their Reader app to the App Store. It's just like the Kindle app from Amazon, in that there is no in-app purchasing. You get moved to Mobile Safari to buy the book on Amazon.com, and then you head right back into the app to download the book. Barnes & Noble's app works similarly. The problem is Sony's Reader app was rejected. Apple has had enough of this workaround and will no longer let these freeloaders make sales in their apps without a cut of the monies.
Apple is now requiring apps to provide an in-app purchase for every item that is sold out of the app. If I were Amazon, I'd be sweating it big time. If rumors of a March 31st deadline are true, that means Amazon has until then to create an in-app purchasing system for every book they plan to offer online for their Kindle system. Ouch!
Not only that, but this would also mean that every book sold inside of their apps would give a 30% cut to Apple for your troubles. Every in-app purchase follows the 70/30 ruling for sales, just like apps themselves. Oof!
What happens if Amazon balks at the mere idea of such a loss in revenue, would they just leave the App Store altogether? That would be a huge hit on revenue. There are 15 million iPads in circulation, you know, and countless iPhones and iPod touches. We at Trigon would never think of tricking our valuable customers like that. I mean, we give out high 5's like they're going out of style.
I think we all learned a valuable lesson here. It's Apple's world, Levin. We're all just living in it.
