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UAE Inc not yet keen on iPhone
While the iPhone is easily the hottest phone on the market today, Apple's trend-setting device isn't catching on with business people in the UAE.
- By Scott Shuey, Chief Business Reporter
- Published: 23:29 July 11, 2008
- There are plans to release the iphone in some countries in the Middle East, but no dates have been announced.
- Image Credit: AP
Dubai: While the iPhone is easily the hottest phone on the market today, Apple's trend-setting device isn't catching on with business people in the UAE.
Despite efforts by Apple to market the new iPhone 3G, which was released on Friday in 21 countries, to business users, few in Dubai say they would use the phone for work, even if it was available in the region.
There are plans to release the device in some countries in the Middle East, but no dates have been announced.
The new iPhone has several features aimed at the enterprise market, including a faster third-generation data connection, the ability to synchronise e-mail, contacts and calenders with Microsoft Outlook, and the ability to connect securely to corporate networks.
While predictions on whether the business community will embrace the new iPhone are scarce, some analysts see the device putting some pressure on Research in Motion (RIM), which makes the Blackberry.
Citi Investment Research analyst Jim Suva wrote in a note to clients, that RIM faces "limited [albeit increasing] competition".
Not impressed
However, previous experiences with the original iPhone haven't impressed business users in Dubai.
Sean Emery, an executive for a media company who is also an Apple Macintosh user, says he loves the iPhone for personal use, but adds he hasn't been able to use it in a business environment because of the device's inability to load contacts from his SIM card and problems with sending messages. He is also unhappy with the device's typing interface.
Emery also says the level of support for the phone is an issue since Apple will not support "cracked" iPhones, which are phones that have been unlocked to work on networks other than those Apple has partnered with.
All iPhones sold in the UAE have been cracked, since Apple has not officially launched the phone in the region.
Since the iPhone has not been configured to run on either of the UAE two licenced telecom operators, the phone has not been added to the list of "approved devices" in many companies, which means users cannot connect it to their employers' network.
Samer Constantini, who works for a networking company, had to consider that issue when he purchased a phone.
His company requires him to have specific software on his phone such as VPN software and even some custom-built applications.
"With the iPhone, I wouldn't have access to many of the tools and secure e-mails I require for work," he says.
Another issue that has made the first-generation iPhone unpalatable for business use was its inability to synchronise with Microsoft Outlook.
Neil Garner, who works in the research industry, says the synchronisation issue is one of the chief reasons he doesn't use the iPhone, even though he'd like to. Garner says he is also concerned about how the new iPhone would sync with his company's network.
"I need to connect with full web access," he says.
Functions and network operability aren't the only issue keeping business users from using the iPhone.
Magnus Nystedt, who runs a local Mac User Group, and even publishes a magazine about Apple and Apple products, says the main thing keeping him from using the device as a business tool is the cost of using a mobile with a GPRS connection in the UAE.
Just visiting the homepage of his Apple-related website, emiratesmac.com, would result in a 500k download. Depending on the pricing plan, that could cost users with a GPRS connection as much as Dh5.
Pricing plan
He says "I won't switch unless there is a [pricing] plan similar to what's available for Blackberry," which is what he currently uses.
Of course, there are devices some people just like more than the iPhone.
Andy Nehme, a business developer manager in Dubai, says he uses a Blackberry 8820, which he's grown to love using. "I would definitely look at buying the iPhone because I have an iPod Touch and I love the interface," he says.
"But if you put the [Blackberry] Bold and the iPhone in front if me, I'd take the Blackberry."
Have you bought the new iPhone? What do you like or dislike about it? If you haven't bought one, are you buying one soon? Tell us.
Your comments
I am crazy about the iPhone, i will surely purchase this iPhone, once they launch it in the UAE market, but I want to know when they are launching. I am really desperate to purchase this phone. Even with the cost factor, middle class people can afford to purchase this new generation iPhone.
Syed
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 12, 2008, 12:42
A fair review. Thanks Scott. The iPhone is not perfect. And the fact that BlackBerry comes with a plan makes it VERY hard to compete. The iPhone 3G should resolve most corporate issues. But if there is no reasonable data plan, it won't happen here.
Fangpyre
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 12, 2008, 10:38
Considering that some of the iPhone's crucial features are stunted due to it being sold illegally, I wouldn't consider this a valid argument. Also, the new 3G iPhone has significantly enhanced its enterprise support.
Fadi
Cairo,Egypt
Posted: July 12, 2008, 08:53
I'm refraining from jumping on Apple's iPhone 3G bandwagon, instead I would wait and see what the future will bring. Just image how much time it takes to write a SMS on an iPhone, in comparison to phones with QWERTY or even T9 keypads. It's just a matter of time before RIM and Nokia release their iPhone killers and make the competition tougher.
Mahdi
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 12, 2008, 01:05
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