Apple to give outsiders access to its iPhone - The Los Angeles Times
The device will run Microsoft’s corporate e-mail service and applications by other software makers.
Trying to blunt two criticisms of its iPhone, Apple Inc. on Thursday said the device would soon work with corporate e-mail services and run software applications made by outside developers.
“Apple has significantly expanded its total available market,” said Van Baker, a vice president at Gartner Industry Advisory Services. “The second stage of the iPhone kicks in because of this.”
The company plans in June to launch an online store for iPhone applications such as video games, instant messaging and business programs. To encourage development, venture capital firm Kleiner, Perkins, Caufield & Byers launched iFund, a $100-million fund to invest in companies working on software for the combination cellphone, Web gadget and media player.
Apple has sold 4 million iPhones in the U.S. and Europe since the device went on sale in June. But businesses have been slow to embrace the iPhone, primarily because of concerns about security and because it hasn’t worked with Microsoft Corp.’s popular corporate Exchange e-mail service. Many iPhone owners also carry another device, such as a BlackBerry or Treo, for corporate e-mail.
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