| By now you are no doubt aware of Apple's | | | | won't be able to effectively accomplish work |
| closed platform of OS X available on the iPhone, | | | | tasks in conjunction with the Microsoft based |
| preventing third party software from being | | | | software your office most likely runs on. And as |
| created for the device. In fact, you may be | | | | for you email and phone call only people, good |
| encouraged by the fact that the device will offer | | | | luck getting the IT department to let you use |
| future software titles through the user-friendly | | | | IMAP for confidential company emails. |
| iTunes stores. However, what you may not also | | | | The real cost of Apple's closed platform will not |
| realize is that Apple is closing the door in terms of | | | | be immediately apparent. In fact, it may not be |
| a varied and diverse software landscape for its | | | | immediately impactful. However, the mobile |
| technological darling. | | | | software industry will be dealt a significant |
| Apple is dealing a major blow to the mobile | | | | setback if Apple is able to shift consumer |
| software industry as a whole. By promoting | | | | perception to the thinking that software is an |
| software as a feature of hardware, the company | | | | exclusive component of the hardware upon which |
| could perpetuate an assumption that software is | | | | it runs. When in reality mobile software is, and |
| no longer a separate entity of a mobile device, | | | | should be, its own entity separate from any |
| leaving consumers with the perception that | | | | particular line of product or hardware. |
| hardware makers are the only providers of | | | | If this is allowed to happen, the diversity and |
| high-quality, compatible titles. Almost brings you | | | | number of software titles available will slowly |
| back to the old days of Mac vs. Windows. | | | | dwindle until we are once again, much like the |
| While Mac vs. Windows on the PC platform was | | | | early Mac and Windows wars, tied down to a |
| partially alleviated when Apple allowed MS Office | | | | specific and lone set of applications based upon |
| titles and windows to run simultaneously with OS | | | | which device one buys. If I remember correctly, |
| X, there is no foreseeable end in sight to Apple's | | | | Mac was on the short end of the stick in terms |
| hording of software development rights. In | | | | of applications and software in those days. And |
| today's Wall Street Journal, Apple CEO Steve | | | | even though Apple's predicted 10 million units sold |
| Jobs claimed "The iPhone is the most | | | | seems like a huge number, it is still only a fraction |
| sophisticated software platform ever created for | | | | of the mobile device market with Blackberry and |
| a mobile device." Adding, "We think software | | | | Windows Mobile powered smart phones both |
| features are where the action will be in the | | | | eclipsing Apple's sales goal several times over. |
| coming years." | | | | Thus, Apple will have to create some very strong |
| This "action" will most certainly mean increased | | | | applications in order to compete with the |
| revenue for Apple and decreased options for | | | | thousands of developers worldwide working to |
| consumers. Did I also mention a little something | | | | create software for the Windows Mobile platform. |
| call Microsoft Exchange? Because without it, you | | | | |