If you are a technology lover, you will remember June 29, 2007 as the day Apple introduced the iPhone, which is arguably the most popular release of a cell phone to date.
All types of people have stood in line and shelled out big bucks for the phone since then, thanks to its multimedia capabilities and the fact that it is the epitome of a status symbol.
For a business person who is less interested in looking “cool” and more interested in being productive, the question is whether an iPhone can actually help with business.
Any “on the go” business person will tell you that they are looking for something that can keep them productive and offer the convenience of a “mini office”.
To be truly effective in that realm, a cell phone needs to have the same applications the person would have in the office. When released, the iPhone did not have those exact capabilities; however, Apple understand this and are working on fixing it.
Many people are already using the iPhone to handle their email and there are rumors that Microsoft may soon be allowing iPhone to access Excel, Word, and PowerPoint. If and when that happens, users will be able to view and edit Microsoft Office attachments from their phones.
The one problem with that is the fact that the iPhone has a soft keyboard. Users will need to look at their phone when typing because there is nothing to feel. This could be a difficult transition for people who use BlackBerry or Treo phones which feature a button-based QWERTY keyboard. However, that doesn’t mean someone cannot get used to the iPhone’s keyboard.
Many people have noted the fact that the iPhone is very easy to use. This can be a big benefit to those who are not always comfortable with technology.
As of right now, Cingular is the only carrier offering the iPhone. You will need to switch your service to them, which will mean paying a cancellation fee to your current carrier if you are on a contract. The actual price of the phone is almost $500; however, new customers may get a cheaper price by signing a new contract with Cingular.
Whether or not an iPhone will really help someone with their business depends on how the owner is going to use it, and how much time the person really spends “on the go”. A more affordable smartphone can help a person as much as an iPhone would – it probably just wouldn’t look as cool.