Lotus Notes for iPhone

IBM is still preparing the launch of a Lotus Notes web client for the iPhone and iPod touch, reports say. Some media outlets speculated that it might be released shortly, as a result of a recent demonstration; although the Associated Press wrote that an announcement would be made at this week's Lotusphere conference, IBM now claims that the client is "not something that [is] ready to go out and market or launch." Lotus Notes is a long-standing collaborative suite which integrates e-mail, calendars and other workgroup applications.

Release of the web client could prove especially advantageous to Apple, as Lotus Notes is widespread in the business world, and could thus increase adoption of the iPhone by corporate buyers. The device recently received a boost from carrier AT&T, which added it to its stable of enterprise plans. IBRS analyst Kevin McIsaac disagrees however, arguing that there are two separate audiences present. "I can't really imagine someone who's really hip and cool -- like an iPhone user -- wanting to use Lotus Notes," says McIsaac.

by MacNN Staff