IBM to Add Software for Apple Devices, Lotus Notes ♥'s iPhone...
[From The Associated Press: IBM to Add Software for Apple Devices]
[From IBM, Apple Team on E-Mail for iPhone | bMighty.com ANTenna]
Personally I don't have any good memories of Lotus after IBM took control but as they say YMMV and it has been some time. On the flip side there are a lot of corporates that don't use Exchange as their messaging system but do use Lotus/Domino etc...
Given this includes both iPhone and Macintosh version of the Lotus Notes email software and they're bringing the free Lotus Symphony to the Macintosh one has to wonder if MS realises exactly how much the iPhone is changing the market place. For those not familiar with Symphony, think Open Office and you'll get the idea.
Speaking of Open Office (which is available for X11 on Mac OS X)- they've commenced the building of a native version, ie. a version that runs in the standard Mac world of Aqua interface elements. As you can imagine porting from a techno geek UI environment like X11 wouldn't be an easy job so don't expect this project to travel at lightspeed – but its another great alternative for your humble Mac user. I wonder if Symphony will be an Aqua native? To paraphrase it's Exciting times at Ridgemont High! *
I wonder how Office 2008 will fare competing with 2 serious software suites that cost nothing... wouldn't you like to see those sales figures. Don't hold your breath though I'm think I'm safe in saying we won't be seeing much detail from MS on that front... can you imagine the fallout if Office 2008 had as bad a launch result as Vista?
Feel free to sound off in the comments. What do you think will Lotus & Symphony on the Apple platforms make a big difference?
––––––––
* (DVD Movie Guide Entry) "Fast Times at Ridgemont High (Widescreen Special Edition)" on Amazon
