Adrian Kingsley-Hughes
Yes
No
David Gewirtz
Best Argument: Yes
Audience Favored: No (57%)
The moderator has delivered a final verdict.
Opening Statements
It's a massive setback for Android
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes: While Apple's partnership with IBM will unquestionably benefit both firms and give iPhones and iPads a greater foothold in enterprise, there are also losers, and one of the biggest losers from this is Android.
While it's easy to think that the platform and devices war is won and lost based on what consumers buy, enterprise adoption still matters a great deal because this puts devices on the back foot. in the hands of people who then go on to use them to make money. Not only does this raise the profile of iOS devices, but it will also drives more sales.
It's a win-win situation for the two firms.
On the flipside, the IBM/Apple partnership is a huge loss for Google, and a massive setback for Android, primarily because it simultaneously endorses Apple's previously weak enterprise endeavors, puts IBM's might behind pushing iOS to its customers, and puts Android on the back foot.
Android is the Borg
David Gewirtz: The short answer to this debate question is simply: No, of course not. IBM is far from the only enterprise player and the iDevices have inherent limitations that Android doesn't suffer from.
Let's take the limitations argument first. iOS devices are limited in how much they can be customized. Android is not. iOS customization stops at the app, and even the apps themselves are surprisingly limited. Android customization can extend to the launcher, the OS, add-on devices, and deep into the system.
Plus, of course, IBM isn't the only enterprise game in town. Beyond Dell, HP, and Microsoft, not to mention Google Apps (which are penetrating enterprises at breakneck speed), there are a wide range of other enterprise players.
This is a nice sales synergy for Apple and IBM. Nothing more. Android is the Borg. It will keep assimilating and certainly Apple and IBM can't stop it.
Talkback
It's one "Partnership", not the end of the world
not the end of the world
Seriously, most services and data end users need are MS based. (And believe me, I have no love for MS but it is the reality of the standard IT shop.) If you are gonna capture the enterprise then you have to make it work with the business users, not some obscure IBM app for monitoring VIOS LPARS. So far, neither Apple nor Android have really addressed that need. Fortunately MS screwed up their solution so badly it is still anyone's game. I just don't expect IBM will make a difference in iOS adoption since it doesn't address the real needs of the industry.
Apple has already made it "work with the business users"
Executives carrying iOS and not a laptop
Unproductive Executives?
Exactly!
But yeah, I agree...execs are an unproductive lot to begin with. ;)
So they carry iPads
What does IBM bring that would enhance this and migrate use beyond top execs?
iPads don't run a business. They execute reports, allow reading of email and calendar, and...? Except for some niche items what does this pairing bring?
More likely TC and a few IBM friends are kicking back and toasting old friendships....
@rhonin: iPads can do all those things.
iPad cannot use a calculator simultaneously over a website page
iPads Are Great For eMail.