It’s about time Apple puts their focus on corporate needs. When the iPhone first came out, I knew it wasn’t going to cater to the needs of corporations. They appeared to be aiming towards the general working population. But I am glad to see that Apple knows that it has a wider user base to attract.

Apple’s recognizing of corporate needs is only the first step into the arena. They also have to maneuver their ways through federal restrictions and corporate demands to sell a successful product. Things that could get into Apple’s way include true data encryption, firewall, data protection, secure VPN intranet access, and much more. Sounds like a lot of demands, but if Apple can pull this off, they will be on their way to a much better future.

I highly doubt Apple will be able to attract a large audience if they don’t lighten up about the carrier restrictions in some way without breaking the contract with AT&T, which is as possible as licking my elbow ;) . If only there was a way for this to happen, then I would be happy with my shiny iPhone on my grungy T-Mobile service (with no 3G, I may add). Many corporations have special deals with other cell phone carriers, especially with ones that have fast DSL-like mobile broadband (Verizon). Considering this, it may lessen Apple’s profits from creating an iPhone 2.0.

VIA ComputerWorld