AT&T iPhone going corporate on the 21st!
47 comments
Filed in AT&T, Apple, Exclusives, Handsets
Thanks to one of our tipsters, we just got news that AT&T will be announcing iPhone compatibility to corporate and business accounts on January, 21st. The best part? If you have a corporate discounts, they are still valid! There’s said to be special iPhone data plans of $25 or higher that the business customer must subscribe to. Additionally, there will be no equipment discounts (obviously), and there’s a special activation process you’ll have to run through before going to iTunes and activating. This should be available for current and new corporate and business account holders! Now if we could only get some Exchange support…
On Jan 17, 2008 @ 2:30 pm, eJay Said:
Forgive me if I sound stupid but does this mean that its just going to be available to corporate customers? Any new functionality?
Permalink | Reply
On Jan 17, 2008 @ 2:35 pm, DaTechnologyKing Said:
Man this is good news for corporate users. I really hope this applies to regular users who want to get discounts on their existing iPhone lines too. If so, I will definitely be taking advantage of this because its a sweet deal.
Permalink | Reply
On Jan 17, 2008 @ 2:52 pm, Randy Said:
You can get Exchange support by turning on IMAP on the exchange server.
Permalink | Reply
On Jan 17, 2008 @ 3:15 pm, NYC567user Said:
What this means is that you will not have to install iTunes on every desktop, plus a credit card…but there will be a different process thru AT&T (hopefuly a faster one).
I would like to see how battery exchanges, broken screens, warranty, etc..is handled by their corporate support…hmmmm.many questions…
As far as Corporate Mail support..search on google/here on BGR or yahoo…regarding IBM and Apple and you’ll see the news that Lotus Notes for iPhone is to be announced next week at Lotusphere..
As far as Exchange..I don’t see why it should not be coming soon..as this is a greater chucnk of AT&T Corporate clients…
Permalink | Reply
On Jan 17, 2008 @ 3:16 pm, nitesmoke Said:
If you have an old Cingular plan (not old att plan) or employee plan, you can keep it with an IPhone. Its about damn time.
Permalink | Reply
On Jan 17, 2008 @ 3:24 pm, buju Said:
who cares…the corporate world belongs to RIM. It will take a lot more then ‘exchange support’ to change that.
Permalink | Reply
On Jan 17, 2008 @ 3:27 pm, JD Said:
RIM might have market share now but I’ll dump my WM device for this… Gotta start somewhere and this will be a start to getting business users
Permalink | Reply
On Jan 17, 2008 @ 3:27 pm, haha Said:
The hand holding the iPhone in this pic is rly weird… it looks sorta gross…
Permalink | Reply
On Jan 17, 2008 @ 3:34 pm, galonso Said:
I guess its a good start, but without wireless contacts and calendaring I can’t see it making much of a difference. It’s like a time-warp back 5 years.
Permalink | Reply
On Jan 17, 2008 @ 3:34 pm, Dtest54 Said:
Good news but i got a “good” AT&T employee that gave me my Corp. discount on my personal account. Got to love the people who bend the rules a bit, 18% fyi.
Permalink | Reply
On Jan 17, 2008 @ 4:00 pm, ohmy Said:
i gve my friend 22% hehe. thtas cool, as a rep for Att i lost some sales cuz iphone couldnt do corp. email but i do agree that world belongs to rim/bb. we shall ee how much of a dent (if any) that will create for new iphone sales. it will create a wave most def though. rim/bb will lose some sales to iphone
Permalink | Reply
On Jan 17, 2008 @ 4:11 pm, Jason Said:
Someone else pointed out above that RIM owns the corporate market. There is talk about bringing exchange and lotus notes support to the iphone already. I thought that the specs for the BB9000, reported here to be a touch screed device, were pretty close to the the iphone and as reported here the 9000 is supposed to be a device and not a series. Is there any chance that the BB9000 is not a device but a BB tie in for the iphone.
Permalink | Reply
On Jan 17, 2008 @ 4:25 pm, sam Said:
it will still be a less capable POS compared to many other smartphones; Apple and AT&T just figured out another way of screwing folks.
Permalink | Reply
On Jan 17, 2008 @ 4:37 pm, Rob Said:
I’ve been getting my FAN discounts all along. I must have slipped under the radar.
Permalink | Reply
On Jan 17, 2008 @ 4:47 pm, lantzn Said:
What was the name of that company that had the market on MP3 players before the iPod? Yeah, I can’t remember either.
Permalink | Reply
On Jan 17, 2008 @ 5:02 pm, coldcc Said:
ha ha my tip I gave ya not to long ago was right
Permalink | Reply
On Jan 17, 2008 @ 5:04 pm, jdh Said:
I don’t get whats the big deal about corporate pricing. I am not a iphone hater but I have to admit I a closet blackberry fanboy but without true corporate support I can’t see a whole lot of corporations dropping there bb or windows bassed pda to go with the iphone.
It was mentioned earlier that corporate email can be used if exhange enail is set to imap. This will work but that’s not trully the same as corporate support. We all know email is key but with iphones lack of being able to sync all of your contacts calander task and memos wirelessly on the fly the iphone will never be able to compete in the corpoate marlet.
Permalink | Reply
On Jan 17, 2008 @ 5:26 pm, Christopher Cox Said:
How the heck is that a solution for full exchange support? That is just email. Exchange is much more than that.
Permalink | Reply
On Jan 17, 2008 @ 5:28 pm, rickw Said:
I think that this is great news at the moment.
right now, the only way to do this is to put a primary phone on the corporate account and add the iphone as a secondary phone and then you can get the corp. discount, but not on the iphone parts of the bill.
Permalink | Reply
On Jan 17, 2008 @ 7:30 pm, Jeff B. Said:
I like the whole, your company pays for your work BB and then you go buy your own phone. Or you buy your phone and your business pays for your service…that works better.
Permalink | Reply
On Jan 17, 2008 @ 8:14 pm, Herbert Said:
Just think once Apple has there two years done with AT&T how many other carriers are going to pick this up? This is great!
Permalink | Reply
On Jan 17, 2008 @ 8:40 pm, Clay Said:
The whole idea is for it to communicate with micro exchange. Some At&t execs were test driving it and they have been able to rcv their corp email through exchange. From my understanding email was being directly pushed to their handset. It also talks with the computer wirelessly with calendar as well. Make a change on the calendar it shows up on the phone without having to sync the 2 together.
Permalink | Reply
On Jan 17, 2008 @ 8:42 pm, Clay Said:
I am a crackberry addict but have been waiting for this moment. I will be definately be test driving the iPhone.
Permalink | Reply
On Jan 17, 2008 @ 8:51 pm, Walker Said:
Hmmm Should I buy Monday or wait for the 16 GB 3G model? hmmmm…damn I wish I could have both…..NOW!!!
Permalink | Reply
On Jan 17, 2008 @ 8:52 pm, Matt B. Said:
I don’t get whats the big deal about corporate pricing. I am not a iphone hater but I have to admit I a closet blackberry fanboy but without true corporate support I can’t see a whole lot of corporations dropping there bb or windows bassed pda to go with the iphone.
Well, here’s my situation: I had my ATTWS account. My company starts paying for cell phones for everyone (requiring them). Since everyone already knows and uses my cell number(and I don’t want to change my number), the company takes over my account. Now I never see a bill.
So, to get an iPhone now, I’d have to buy the iPhone on my own, transfer the number to my account, and then submit an expense report every month for cell service. Since we have a “bucket” plan, if I go over my minutes for the month now, it’s no big deal as it would just be covered by someone elses under usage. I’d have to eat the overage if I went out on my own.
I’ve been using one of the stupid free Samsung’s waiting for this since my v600 died.
Permalink | Reply
On Jan 18, 2008 @ 12:35 am, pheer6224 Said:
Why does apple want to sell a niche product to a market already dominated by mass purchased blackberrys and absolutely no apple products whatsoever?
Permalink | Reply
On Jan 18, 2008 @ 2:07 am, Neil Said:
May I offer a perspective on the “RIM owns the market” debate:
RIM has their products languishing in the 50% range for customer satisfaction.
Apple’s **first attempt** iPhone is up in the order of 90% satisfaction.
People: Their very first try at a phone.
Mr. ‘pheer6224′ there above me has a good question.
Why on earth *would* Apple/ATT bother the corporate world with yet another phone?
The answer is that as soon as any corporate honcho up in his ivory tower gets his hands on an iPhone, he’s going to lose his ever lovin mind. After years of Micros**t abuse he’s going to want to know how he can get IT to support his new toy AND he’s going to want to know what else Apple makes that could make his life easier.
And so it begins.
Permalink | Reply
On Jan 18, 2008 @ 2:42 am, Bret Carroll Said:
I was disappointed to find out that my corporate discount didn’t apply to iPhone rate plans and decided not to get one. This news definitely has me back in the market!
pheer6224:
Apple sells “niche” products like the iPhone (20% if smartphone market) because they make a profit and that is why they are in business. If they could make a profit selling 4 of them it would be worth it. If they make a profit selling 4,000,000 it is worth it. If they make a profit selling one to every man, woman, child and orangutan, it will be worth it.
Are there benefits to market share? Sure. Does market share = profit? Without a monopoly it is generally the opposite.
Cheers!
Permalink | Reply
On Jan 18, 2008 @ 7:55 am, Michaele Said:
Question: My company has told me to buy the phone of my choice and they will pay the bills (expense reimbursement). I want an iPhone… been a mac guy for a long long time. Since employees of our company qualify for a discount with AT&T does this mean I will get an discount rate on my plan? Sorry to ask what may be a dumb question, but I am kind of a newbie with this and don’t completely understand what this announcement means. And… what do myIT guys have to do for me to get my mail on the phone without me having to forward it to another address first?
Permalink | Reply
On Jan 18, 2008 @ 9:36 am, bluehorseshoe Said:
I don’t see it being big on the Corp. Side…at least not yet. Still need to sync to other aspects such as calendars, etc. It’s also a multimedia device, thus the issue with productivity. The fact you can’t swap the battery causes a problem for road warriors. The OS is exactly what it is, an OS. Causes concern for security issues. Plus the keypad isn’t for everyone either. I’m sure some high level exec’s will get their way, but for the masses, it’s going to be a tough one to sell management on.
Permalink | Reply
On Jan 18, 2008 @ 11:37 am, Galvatron Said:
heres the thing appple likes price gauging for basic stuff an minaima fetures with marketing spin calling it revulutionary.
but the COST of the device versis Rims cost at bult at that an low service fees copmaterd to the iplans beat apple low cost an and effective harware is rims strongsult an coprate amrica dosn’t like trendy crapthats overpiced big turnoff they want somthing that aplies to the kiss rul an is cheap and mass prduced an works werever they go and is open to that bussiness specification or open to modificatoins
apple has the close non interoperable platform an only wants to work withh att in the states
Permalink | Reply
On Jan 18, 2008 @ 1:34 pm, chardo Said:
One more time, but in English please?
Permalink | Reply
On Jan 18, 2008 @ 1:56 pm, Dtest54 Said:
welcome back Gal, but F on your post. Spelling is horrible as usual and you contradict yourself in the end.
Iphone will gradually gain acceptance as people use them. In the summer you give them a 3G model and it will get stronger. Not all companies wat the Corp / Govt. customer base. Yes its large numbers of clients but they don;t buy very often and require such strict security that the OS of the preferred device (RIM) is old and in need of an update almost as much as Palm OS.
Apple will go after who they always go after, young professionals that like good looking and easy to use products. Their is plenty of profit in that segment. They don’t need major Corp., same as they don’t need gamers on their PCs.
Permalink | Reply
On Jan 18, 2008 @ 2:13 pm, Jon Said:
Yeah, but it’s not that good at all. Trust me, I use it. There is no push, and more problematic there is no syncing of calendar and contacts — this may not seem like a big deal, but if you are used to using a WM device or a BlackBerry you get used to having all your calendar stuff synced wihtout worrying about plugging it in every couple of hours. Of course, I think the costs of this are well outweighed by how much better of a device the iPhone is than any WM or Blackberrry, but there’s no reason why Apple shouldn’t fix it. To get serious about corporate email, Apple needs to license ActiveSync from MS, which supposedly they are working on.
Permalink | Reply
On Jan 18, 2008 @ 2:15 pm, Jon Said:
Apple doesn’t NEED corporate, but it sure as hell wouldn’t hurt. I know TONS of young professionals that are holding out on buying an iPhone for the specific reason that true exchange support is not there.
Permalink | Reply
On Jan 18, 2008 @ 2:34 pm, James Said:
They don’t want business people and they don’t want gamers. That’s a pretty stupid viewpoint (what’s left?) and explains why they only have a sliver of the market they could have.
Permalink | Reply
On Jan 18, 2008 @ 11:32 pm, Keith@igophone.org Said:
at&t’s edge service is notoriously unreliable, even in metro areas and the onscreen keyboard sucks compared to full qwerty on bb. Corp. buyers beware
Permalink | Reply
On Jan 19, 2008 @ 1:14 am, Good Laugh Said:
You guys that are constantly trying to talk everyone out of wanting an iPhone are just silly. You sound like a guy trying to plug the dike with his thumb against the inevitable tide of more people wanting and getting iPhones. There’s a reason why they are popular…people enjoy using them. This article is just stating that those folks who have their cell phones paid by their employer may now have a chance to get an iPhone, and you guys have to come over and crap on the thread. Get a life and quite trying to rationalize your own choice of WM or RIM phones.
Permalink | Reply
On Jan 19, 2008 @ 3:11 am, Jeff B. Said:
Good Laugh,
I don’t get why you’re bashing on WM and RIM? Like WTF, man?
It’s not like they’re bad. So why are you trying to piss on the fire?
Yea I’ll admit it, I like using the iPhone, the keyboard bones and there are a few key features missing that I use on my Tilt everyday, that’s why I bought my Tilt. Until they add those features and lower the price, I’m not going to get one. (or until my contract is up.)
Everybody just has to accept that the phone they got is the best for them and even though some people are finally starting to realize that the key features I wanted were key features most people wanted and are recommending other phones that satisfy that need.
I’m not saying it’s bad, it’s just some people need more features than others, or want to get more “bang for their buck”, or just don’t like the keyboard and can’t live with it every single day. So they get a different phone and try to make people want theirs because they like it so much that they want other people to like it so much and give said company more profit.
It all just comes down to what you want and what you need. -The Boy Genius himself told me that, and now I’m adding; you can either deal with it or shut the f**k up because this is getting old and I don’t think anybody is caring anymore.
And if it seems like I’m rambling it’s because this was my last stop at 12:10 A.M. before I go to sleep. Long days and short nights suck.
Permalink | Reply
On Jan 19, 2008 @ 10:30 am, zac Said:
Yeah, corporations are going to drop physical keyboards for software ones…
Permalink | Reply
On Jan 20, 2008 @ 1:58 am, dragan_co Said:
look in SMART (car) not the apple
Permalink | Reply
On Jan 20, 2008 @ 2:03 am, dragan_co Said:
For mu knowleg toyota have allredy sone orders
Permalink | Reply
On Jan 20, 2008 @ 12:41 pm, DaveB Said:
I have to laugh at those above crying about edge, honestly a bb on edge is no better or worse than an iphone on edge.
What WILL hinder iphone adoption by true corporate road warriors are lack of real keyboard, and lack of swappable/upgradable battery.
I think this “news” is more of interest to folks whose companies get employee discounts through att more so than for people to actually get a iphone for corp use.
Permalink | Reply
On Jan 20, 2008 @ 4:01 pm, Doubter Said:
What company would announce such a stunner on a BUSINESS HOLIDAY?
Permalink | Reply
On Jan 21, 2008 @ 9:37 am, sam Said:
You asked “What company would announce such a stunner on a BUSINESS HOLIDAY?”
Answer…. the same company that support Randy Neuman getting up at MacWorld and spewing a bunch of political poison when the event was supposed to be about new products, upgrades, and creating shareholder value. The same company that screws early adopters of their products by huge price reductions and charges to upgrade the equipment they bought when it first came out.
Apple is the most arrogant company I have ever dealt with and they treat all customers the same, like crap. But, I will agree their products are cool.
Permalink | Reply
On Jan 22, 2008 @ 10:31 am, MiamiDude Said:
The difference between EDGE on an iPhone and EDGE on a BB is that a BB can, essentially, skip over any constraints of the EDGE or GPRS or whatever and communicate BB to BB or BB to e-mail server directly. RIM’s network is already at 3G speed. You can use this connection to send e-mail, media, files, etc. For corporate users that communicate person to person, this makes a big difference.
If you know anyone who has one, send a PIN message and an e-mail message and see which gets there first.
I have had too many devices to count and I am waiting for the iPhone to work at full 3G speed before I invest.
Permalink | Reply
On Jan 23, 2008 @ 8:32 am, Don Pope Said:
IMAP is not an acceptable solution for enterprises. We need Exchange support like Blackberry or Good provide.
Permalink | Reply