Comments on: HSBC could order 200,000 iPhones

Such a move to replace the BlackBerry--still in the mulling stages--could see the Apple gadget "potentially be deployed, conservatively, to 200,000 people."

[hetzbh]

So big HSBC haven't heard about the issue with IPhone 3G and sensitiviy and reception?

[Constable Odo]

Most likely the reception problem will become a non-issue shortly.
http://www.macdailynews.com/index.php/weblog/comments/software_fix_on_the_way_for_iphone_3g_reception_glitches/

On to the next problem...

[AppleSuxLeo]

And I "could" win the lottery...NOT !

[rshah29]

Does Apple have any large corporate accounts at the moment?

[Penguinisto]

Given that many of the F500 are doing trials with it nowadays, who cares? To most corps, it's just another phone, and they accommodate it.

[Vegaman_Dan]

Anyone find it terribly ironic it took Apple to start using Microsoft's Exchange service to make it usable for business?

[Perry_Clease]

No

[Penguinisto]

Nope. The best way to eliminate an entrenched and crappy protocol suite is to use it to your advantage, until you yourself have enough strength to change it.

[scatlizard]

I'm so glad the iPhone is being considered by larger companies like HSBC. Soon the iPhone will rule the world and even this CNET writer will be forced to use one.

[rdwalton]

I think if HSBC makes this move, it will be one of their biggest regrests. Don't get me wrong, I have an iPhone and I traded in my Blackberry 8830 (now I have buyers remorse).

Hands down, the Blackberry is a much much better than business device than the iPhone. I will go back to the Blackberry when the Blackberry Bold comes out next month for AT&T and I will give my iPhone to my daughter.

[Penguinisto]

you fail to mention exactly why they would regret such a move.

Personally, I have supported Blackberries (and have used them), and seriously? The keyboard with birth-control-pill-sized keys is kinda crappy. BES is pricey. Push email is pricey. RIM's protocols are proprietary beyond belief. I'd rather have something a bit more open, and something that doesn't require heavy expenses on the back-end just to support at a business. an iPhone w/ WiFi can do the trick easily enough, and 3G is an open standard.

[gabrielioan]

Anyone who has used a Blackberry, Blackjak, or similar, and an IPhone might be able to point out the main difference between the products...THE KEYBOARD. Most Crackberry addicts I know would never trade their device for a touch screen, as their typing speed would probably go down dramatically for anyone without pencil-thin fingers. Add to that Apple's aversion to anything corporate (locking down the application list, allowing full control of device functions to be centrally managed, hey Mr. Jobs, is anyone listening?) and I doubt the iPhone will make a huge dent in the corporate world. Licensing ActiveSync isn't revolutionary, it was a minimum requirement. The 3G reception rumors can't help the situation, but I am sure at least those issues will be resolved if properly identified. Yes, the road to true greatness is full of bumps, and Apple makes steady progress. Don't sell your Blackberry shares just yet though.

[Penguinisto]

RIM only has a serious marketshare in North America. It is pretty much down at the bottom with Windows Mobile everywhere else.

[ballmerisanape]

The only people who complain about the iPhone keyboard are those that have never used an iPhone for more than a few minutes. It's actually EASIER to use due to fast character switching..and the fact that the letter/numbers are the same size as traditional smart phone keys.

That.. and the seamless VPN... and true RDC application WinAdmin... I can't imagine a better business solution NOW.. not considering that the app store is only a few weeks old. Imagine what will be available in the next few years....

[GenX2.0]

First, as someone who falls into the crackberry mold, the iPhone is not a replacement. I am not a mac hater, as my laptop is a macbook pro, mac-mini for the fam, and an iPhone as my personal phone. As with Windows Mobile, there is a lag using the OS compared to the small footprint of the RIM OS. Also, by comparison, i can type about 5-10 times faster on the blackberry. The keyboard is NOT the same and cannot be used without looking at the device. I can unlock my bberry and open my inbox without even looking at it (helps with in the middle of the night issues).

Now HSBC is by no means technologically savvy. I worked with a firm that was partnered with HSBC and they are beyond incompetent. Just because they are big, does not mean they are good. Seriously, what CTO in their right mind would throw away years of BE services, tried and true, for something that just received enterprise support 10 minutes ago?? Forcing your employees to use an iPhone when the blackberry is what they want? What about lost productivity when a battery fails and they need to deal with that replacement debacle? What about when your corp account does not qualify for the iPhone (Like ours)?

Bottom line: Once apple develops a BES "back office" alternative, then I will see that they are serious about the enterprise. Right now they are using a port of a 3rd party application (with no enterprise support btw) to get everything done that the BES does so easily. Apple side-stepping the enterprise will continue to stunt the growth of Apple products ability to replace MSFT.

[gggg sssss]

maybe when the rim software runs on this thing. But, compared to every other device I tried, only the iPhone has the dot and / right on the main keyboard - no shift/alt whatever required.And what is this about no windows media support?

[dansilva76]

Funny how irrelevant Microsoft Exchange support is in this case since HBSC is an IBM Lotus Domino customer.