Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Apple Working on Improved Exchange Support for iPhone?
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
There is a Java app version of the connection software , it isn't a full citrix client , we use it on non controlled machines to log in ( ie web cafe machines ) not sure if that would work on the i Phone . Haven't got the opportunity yet as the iphone hasn't been released here yet. I might get a check on whether the iPod Touch can do it , as far as I know the web functionality should be the same on both, no ?
Anyway the point I'm trying to make really here is that Apple have probably looked at the whole exchange syncing thing and analysed it from the point of view of security , thinking along the lines of " you only need to sync to view offline , it's a technical difficulty and the permutations to support are too many, is it not better to ensure High availability ( unlimited data plans ) to remove the need for offline viewing , then provide one solution for secure connectivity with the server , supporting not just mail , but all apps available "
That is of course , back to my mac on OSX and something akin to citrix secure onto a windows network or VNC on a 'nix.
Maybe I'm just reading too much into the iPhone and what it is , but I feel it in my bones , it is heading towards the mobile PC , and the relationship between that mobile PC and the Home PC / Server is going to be a strong one .
If anyone does get an opportunity , Id love to see if the Safari on iPhone can make a Citrix connection ,
http://blogs.computerworld.com/think_business_doesnt_care_about_the_iphone_think_again
Link above kinda supports my arguement , even though it's not talking directly about the cases I gave , they're all similar situations, with Sap and Oracle being stand out big players , working on iPhone integration with networked solutions.
I reckon there's a sleight of hand going on here .
" we really really really don't care about enterprise solutions , we're consumer focused " With the left hand ,
while with the right hand smoothing out the cloth on the table , making a nice space for all the big boys to play in .
The reason there was no widely available SDK for the iPhone could be because they don't want any cluttering of the device with silly unstable apps that set off animated chicken alarms or whatever , it's a serious machine for serious productivity . Maybe ? The Consumer phase could just be the Beta test .
Link above kinda supports my arguement , even though it's not talking directly about the cases I gave , they're all similar situations, with Sap and Oracle being stand out big players , working on iPhone integration with networked solutions.
I reckon there's a sleight of hand going on here .
" we really really really don't care about enterprise solutions , we're consumer focused " With the left hand ,
while with the right hand smoothing out the cloth on the table , making a nice space for all the big boys to play in .
The reason there was no widely available SDK for the iPhone could be because they don't want any cluttering of the device with silly unstable apps that set off animated chicken alarms or whatever , it's a serious machine for serious productivity . Maybe ? The Consumer phase could just be the Beta test .
Maybe, but it seems to me that they've never been that serious about the enterprise arena with their Mac lineup and OS. I don't know if it's that they felt they couldn't compete with the PC there and didn't want to throw a lot of money at it or if they really just don't see that as an area they're interested in. They've always been more focused on the general home consumer and niche business like graphic design. In any case, it comes as no suprise to me that they could be treating the cell phone the same way.
That said, the times they are a changin'. It seems like Apple's becoming a bit more ambitious given their growing market share. Who knows what the future holds, particularly if Steve steps down.
That said, the times they are a changin'. It seems like Apple's becoming a bit more ambitious given their growing market share. Who knows what the future holds, particularly if Steve steps down.
Another 3rd party that has been promising an iPhone / Exchange offering is ipxSync. They are behind on their promised 'opening up' of their beta, and on releasing something, so who knows if / when they'll come out with something. What they have talked about sounded promising, and included support for Hosted Exchange - so you could use it as an individual instead of / in addition to a corporate setup ...