Originating Author: David Floyer
The most impressive aspect of the iPhone is the user interface. It is simple, intuitive and fun. So, a thought experiment – what would it take to make the iPhone a replacement for the PC? Clearly, access to an iTunes-like service is required; many users would require at least occasional access to larger screens, keyboards, and high-speed internet access. The following are a projection of some of the key components that should be in place:
- Access to an iTunes-like service. Alternative methods could include:
- iTunes as a service – Advantages would be simplicity and lack of devices to manage; disadvantages would be all data on the net, downloading all data (CDs, home videos, contact information, etc) to services on the net.
- iTunes on the iPhone – Advantages are simplicity and lack of devices to manage; disadvantages would be risk of loss of data with a single point of failure.
- Docking station for iPhone with iTunes and other functions (docking station components could include a large screen, hard disk, additional cards, keyboards, additional processors, internet connection, etc.)
- WiFi is available widespread (3G services may be twice as fast as EDGE services, but sustained bandwidth over cellular services is unlikely to compete with WiFi)
- The availability of Web services as applications (PC applications, order entry applications, status checking, school assignment submission, government forms, etc)
If the industry and society are successful in breaking the cell-phone carrier’s stranglehold on access to data, this should herald a plethora of candidates for the role of a single communication device over the next ten years. The iPhone is one such candidate, but established cell phone manufacturers, PDA manufacturers and Microsoft are all potential strong players.
Action Item: IT departments in both the public and commercial sectors should be looking strategically to accelerate the availability of both externally and internally facing applications as web services, rather than guessing who will win the hearts and minds of users with the best user experience.
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