I’m sure many of you are already pretty stoked about the iPhone 4.0 OS and so am I – It’s going to bring a number of cool features that should have been released when the product went to market (If you missed the keynote address, check it out here).
99% of the conversations so far have been around 2 things: Multi-tasking and the new advertising platform, iAd, both of which are exciting. But what about some of the not-so-glamorous new features?
Here are 3 that I’m thinking about:
1. Security
So far the only real security that exists for the system is “hopefully someone won’t steal it and then guess my password” type deal. Not exactly the, shall we say, “best” system?
Since it’s pretty much an open book after the initial password request Apple had a lot of room to improve and it looks like they’re making good on that movement. Things like new API’s for developers to encrypt data, more support for SSL VPNs, and more.
But here’s why I think this is the most important thing: The Church is going to be using tools and technologies like this more and more and for even more “personal” and sensitive issues, like counseling. To meet our security and privacy concerns and policies, our software is going to have to be able to handle those requests.
2. iTunes Dependency
Face it, you’re pretty much handcuffed to iTunes as your desktop-software of choice to manage the iPhone, apps, and software. The simple fact is that we don’t have the freedom to use other services and that can be bothersome.
Well, apparently organizations are going to be able to upload apps wireless without iTunes is going to be a godsend, and pushing out from a central location is going to be great. For most ministries a central location to manage is much easier than every person’s iTunes account.
Duh.
But the point is that the more central the management can be the more time can be spent elsewhere. I’m all about efficiency and productivity in ministry! We’re already hurting for resources anyways…
What are you excited about for the upcoming iPhone 4.0 OS release?
Stephen Bateman says
I think Apple needs a device management tool. iDevice or something.
iTunes is a music player…why am I using it to manage contacts??
It was fine when it was iPod, and all the iPod could do was play music. But today w/ all these devices, we need something more. Open source that junk Apple (dream on…).
Anyway OS4 will ensure the iPhone’s maintained dominance I think.
Travis Fish says
That would be very nice.
BenJPickett says
What I would love to see Apple, and Google with Android, do is introduce something like BES. Until I can push email security for attachments, links and scripts that may get emailed in across all of these new phones and mobile productivity platforms, I won’t be completely comfortable with my users having them. I do have several Motorola Droids in my production environment and I think they are great and those that have them are completely in love with them, but the over all lack of security consistency from computer to phone is enough to make me cringe.
My own personal opinions about iPhone are not too high, I’m not going to go as far as to say it’s a horrible device because it’s not. In my mind it doesn’t serve a place in the business world for several reasons. The largest of those would not be the horribly insecure Safari browser it comes with, followed closely by Apple’s over bearing grip on how they let their devices get used like the constant blocking of Google Voice, tethering and other similar cases. Having worked on warranty stuff for an Apple vendor in the past I know first hand the mentality they have towards their customers. And I would never make the recommendation to a business I’m employed by or consulting for that may end up leaving them exposed to that kind of abuse.
Chris Martin says
Multile exchange active sync accounts, yes please!
Google + Our Microsoft exchange mail on the same phone.