[Macpartners] Mobile Devices: Apple iPhone 2.0 Software and iPhone 3G Device announced

[Andrew Yu]

Greetings!



On June 9, 2008, Apple announced that iPhone 2.0 software upgrades (iPhone 
2.0) and the new iPhone 3G mobile device will be available on July 11.



Over the past several weeks, Information Services & Technology (IS&T) has 
been evaluating the beta software and will send out a more detailed analysis 
of findings and recommendations once the final software is available and 
tested (there were several problems found in the beta software).



In general, the iPhone 2.0 software upgrade for the existing iPhones (also 
the foundation for the iPhone 3G), is an improvement over the previous 
version and meets most of the requirements of the MIT community with the 
exception of two known issues:

· iPhones are still only available with AT&T phone service and there is 
limited AT&T coverage on or near the MIT campus (coverage issues are being 
addressed by AT&T and Apple with anticipated improvements in 2009).  NOTE: 
Non-AT&T customers who wish to convert to an iPhone may be required to pay a 
termination fee to their existing carrier and sign a two year contract with 
AT&T.

· iPhones cannot synchronize with the MIT TechTime calendar (Oracle Calendar 
server) although Apple has now included synchronization via Microsoft 
Exchange ActiveSync (which would require migrating data from TechTime to 
Exchange Calendar).



NOTE:  IS&T is currently investigating and experimenting with the use of 
Microsoft Exchange and will present findings to the IT Strategic Planning 
and Resource Coordination Committee (IT-SPARCC) at the end of July for 
review and recommendation on moving forward with this as an alternate 
campus-wide email and calendaring service.  An update on next steps for 
Exchange on campus will be forthcoming in August.



NOTABLE FEATURES OF THE iPHONE 3G

---------------------------------

The iPhone 3G is a significant improvement over the original iPhone device 
in several notable ways.

· The new device will work on AT&T's iPhone 3G cellular data network 
allowing users to access data at a significantly faster speed compared to 
the EDGE network on which the original iPhone works.

· Pricing on the iPhone 3G starts at $199 (for the 8GB model), which is half 
the price of the previous version.

· The iPhone 3G offers iPhone 2.0 software and includes support for 
Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync, X.509 personal certificates, MIT Cisco VPN, 
and third-party applications, among others.



DETAIL FINDINGS OF THE BETA TEST

---------------------------------



IS&T has been working with Apple through the iPhone Enterprise Beta Program 
to test iPhone 2.0 software. While work on the final details is still under 
way, IS&T can confirm the following:



Available Functionality

-----------------------

· Improved IMAP Email functionality, which includes the ability to move or 
delete multiple email messages simultaneously.

· Users with MIT-issued certificates will be able to access MIT 
certificate-secured web sites using the iPhone 2.0.

· MITvoip-generated voicemail (delivered via email as a WAV file) can be 
played using the iPhone 2.0.

· MIT's Virtual Private Network (VPN) will work with the iPhone 2.0.

· Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync works with iPhone 2.0, providing "push" 
email (which is email automatically sent to your mobile device), calendar, 
and contacts over the air.

· iPhone 2.0 also supports the "remote wipe" functionality, which allows 
users to disable and erase data over-the-air in case of theft or loss.



NOTE:  iPhone 2.0 software will also be available to existing iPhone users 
at no cost.



Functionality not available

---------------------------

· MIT TechTime Calendar synchronization (iPhone 2.0 only supports Microsoft 
Exchange calendar synchronization.)

· Voice-assisted dialing.

· Copy and Paste.

· Flash Support for Safari.

· Dial-up Networking, which means that users can not use their iPhone device 
as a modem for laptops.



NOTE:  The iPhone 3G does not have a removable. The battery replacement 
process must be performed by Apple and can be costly and time-consuming.



Disclaimer:

IS&T does not make any statement as to the value of this or any other device 
for conducting MIT business as that is a decision left up to individual 
departments per current MIT policy/practice.



GETTING HELP

----------------------------

Questions regarding iPhone 2.0 software or the iPhone 3G product release can 
be sent to iphone-eval at mit.edu.



Cheers,



Andrew


_______________________________
Andrew Yu
Mobile Devices Platform Coordinator
Information Services & Technology
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Phone: 617-324-8985
Email: andrewyu at mit.edu

*** MIT Mobile Web ***
Visit http://m.mit.edu from your mobile device