Slash LaneMicrosoft Corp. has been taking a long hard look at Apple's iPhone software developers kit (SDK) since it was released earlier this month in hopes of profiting from the thriving mobile platform by releasing a few native applications of its own.
Add to that the firm's expertise in its proprietary Exchange email protocols and business email systems, and it's almost a certainty that Microsoft will be among those bearing fresh wares for Apple's iPhone and iPod touch a bit later this year, Tom Gibbons, corporate vice president of Microsoft's Specialized Devices and Applications Group, told the business publication.
"We do have experience with that environment, and that gives us confidence to be able to do something,†he said. “The key question is, what is the value that we need to bring?"
Gibbons' team of Mac developers, which actually resides in Mountain View, Calif., just a few miles from Apple's headquarters in Cupertino, is reportedly weighing its most viable options for an initial native iPhone application, which appears as if it will fall within the Office family of productivity applications.
"It's really important for us to understand what we can bring to the iPhone," he said. "To the extent that Mac Office customers have functionality that they need in that environment, we're actually in the process of trying to understand that now."
In addition, Mike McCue of Microsoft's recently acquired TellMe voice recognition unit told Fortune that his team is also excited about iPhone development assuming the SDK will allow third party software to tap into voice recording and location-based features.
"If the SDK supports these things," he said, "we’re absolutely going to get a version out there as soon as we can, get TellMe out there on the iPhone."
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Microsoft Corp. has been taking a long hard look at Apple's iPhone software developers kit (SDK) since it was released earlier this month in hopes of profiting from the thriving mobile platform by releasing a few native applications of its own.
The Redmond, Wash.-based software giant is already the largest software developer for Apple's Mac platform outside of the Mac maker itself, with Fortune's Big Tech blog estimating that its Mac Business Unit generates revenues in excess of $350 million and profits of over $200 million each year.
Add to that the firm's expertise in its proprietary Exchange email protocols and business email systems, and it's almost a certainty that Microsoft will be among those bearing fresh wares for Apple's iPhone and iPod touch a bit later this year, Tom Gibbons, corporate vice president of Microsoft's Specialized Devices and Applications Group, told the business publication.
"We do have experience with that environment, and that gives us confidence to be able to do something,? he said. ?The key question is, what is the value that we need to bring?"
Gibbons' team of Mac developers, which actually resides in Mountain View, Calif., just a few miles from Apple's headquarters in Cupertino, is reportedly weighing its most viable options for an initial native iPhone application, which appears as if it will fall within the Office family of productivity applications.
"It's really important for us to understand what we can bring to the iPhone," he said. "To the extent that Mac Office customers have functionality that they need in that environment, we're actually in the process of trying to understand that now."
In addition, Mike McCue of Microsoft's recently acquired TellMe voice recognition unit told Fortune that his team is also excited about iPhone development assuming the SDK will allow third party software to tap into voice recording and location-based features.
"If the SDK supports these things," he said, "we?re absolutely going to get a version out there as soon as we can, get TellMe out there on the iPhone."
[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]
Can anyone say Zune-Office?
Can anyone say Zune-Office?
If it had some form of hand writing recognition, actually that from ANYBODY would be sweet...
Cough Apple Cough
How about voice recognition especially for making phone calls.
Maybe MSN instant messaging for the iPhone?
I think maybe an Entourage app for the iPhone would be nice if they integrated some featured not available in Apple's mail+calendar+address book trio. Things like, out of office assistant, import Entourage/Outlook rules and mailing lists, to-do list syncing, and notes syncing. And they must use Active Sync.
"It's really important for us to understand what we can bring to the iPhone," he said. "To the extent that Mac Office customers have functionality that they need in that environment, we're actually in the process of trying to understand that now."
I like the idea of having office apps on the iPhone. I think that although the iPhone is the coolest piece of tech ever, it would benefit from having office apps and an open directory framework analogous to the windows mobile devices. I used to own the t-mobile "Wing" before the iPhone came out, and i enjoyed the freedom to navigate within my phone. I realize that my jailbreak program gives me that functionality, but i think it should be standard functionality for iPhone.
I also feel that if SJ is serious about wedging the iPhone into corporate america, having those apps is essential. let's face it, Office is the standard, and no software created by Apple is going to replace it in corporate america. So, looks like this is another step toward the "EiPhone", or Enterprise iPhone. Can't wait to hear the nicknames: Crackberry, dingleberry.....will be replaced with cryPhone, styPhone.