Apple’s Misstep with the iPhone Application Delivery
June 13, 2008 12:34 pm EnterpiseAfter watching the WWDC stuff this week I came to a realization that perhaps Apple did, but doesn’t care. In working in IT Infrastructure for 12 years for a mid-tier financial firm.
From the Palm to the Blackberry, desktop syncing software was used early on to keep devices up to date. When RIM went to a full wireless sync, this was a boon to IT administrators because not only was syncing done wirelessly, but so was application distribution and policy enforcement.
So why did Apple decide, after building a wireless application delivery infrastructure for consumers to utilize iTunes for iPhone application sync in the Enterprise?
iTunes, like other consumer media application, is largely banned in the enterprise. The reasons are many including the fact its not a business applications, uses mDNS (bonjour) which has been exploited, issues with QuickTime, etc. Besides, any additional software increases the attack surface for an end-user.
So I see this a problem for those Enterprises that will embrace the iPhone as an application delivery platform. Apple could have easily built an mini-AppStore application that could be sold or provided to Enterprises for application delivery or utilized the emailing feature that they have for developers. Or they can provide templates for managing the iTunes installations to pair down features via Group Policy (similar to what Skype has done).
My recommendation to my smaller clients will be related to the risk level they are willing to take. Many will want to use iPhones and do not need the application delivery. But for those that want to use applications on the iPhone will need to determine if iTunes will be a necessary risk they are willing to take.
For me, I’m looking for a way to turn my iPhone into a virtual iPod Touch (i.e. kill the phone service). Why? Well, one of my kids decided that sunscreen might help protect my phone from the sun and it seeped underneath the LCD.
Which gives me a good reason to get the 3G iPhone…I am a fanboy aren’t I? nuts….
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June 13th, 2008 at 2:39 pm
Apple “clearly” stated that Enterprises would have “full control” over application delivery via the App store, and wireless remote wipe.
Do more homework before you make misguided recommendations.
June 13th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
Sean,
Thanks for your comment, regardless of its snarkiness. when iphone sdk was announced they originally mentioned that a “private” store would be set up for enterprise clients. However, my guess is that enterprises balked at that too, not wanting their apps uploaded to the appstore even if it wasn’t available to non-registered iphones.
However, all indications now say that enterprise applications would be distributed via itunes.
Regardless , iTunes is a major hurdle for Enterprises to overcome.
June 13th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
“Irregardless” is a nonsense word, and its use undermines your credibility. It is as much a credible part of our language as ketchup is a vegetable . . .
June 13th, 2008 at 5:26 pm
Oh; I guess you noticed already.
June 13th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
Colin,
You’re right, another reader pointed that out and I made the change. I’m definitely not a wordsmith. In fact, that’s one of my motivations for doing this blog is to get better.
Thanks.
June 13th, 2008 at 9:27 pm
Enterprise delivery of apps does not require iTunes - they can be deployed from a website. Remote wipe, setting profiles, etc can all be done wirelessly. Your criticisms are based on lack of knowledge. Wait till more info is released before waiting such aspertions.
June 13th, 2008 at 10:02 pm
Actually, according to Computer World (http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9095398) the web site hosts the application, but itunes still is used to pull the application down from that internal website and then synced to the iPhone.
June 14th, 2008 at 10:25 am
I thot the app store was separate from iTunes. BTW, explain to me again why iTunes is such a security risk.
June 15th, 2008 at 12:22 am
I believe you have jumped the gun, can we have a revisit after the app store is out.
Why is iTunes a major hurdle?
But whatever it is it is a trojan, a demonstration of ease of use for the CIOs have not been convinced yet.
Apple don’t have to be ‘enterprised’ and support their own business solutions because there are many business solution systems available which they can tapped on - Exchange.
Tell us again in Oct that Apple is wrong.
July 14th, 2008 at 8:08 am
[...] Application Delivery- REVISTED July 14, 2008 8:08 am Raffi Enterpise, security On June 13th I posted about the misteps Apple made regarding iPhone Application Delivery for the enterprise. It got [...]