Lotus iNotes Aims for iPhone 3G

IBM's Lotus Domino Web Access software, also known as IBM Lotus iNotes, will bring your Lotus e-mail, calendar and contact details to the Apple iPhone 3G.

IBM says the Lotus functionality is planned for delivery to the iPhone sometime in 2008, although no official announcement has yet been made and the company is stating that Lotus iNotes on the iPhone represents "current IBM plans and directions, which are subject to change."

The Web page touting Lotus functionality on the iPhone states that Lotus Notes data "will combine with the flexibility and connectivity of the Apple iPhone. To be built on the time tested IBM Lotus Domino Web Access infrastructure, users will be able to quickly access e-mail, calendars, and contacts through the rich Apple iPhone user experience."

The new iPhone 3G has earned praise as an enterprise mobile device and platform that holds its own against the likes of the Nokia E-Series, RIM BlackBerry, and Windows Mobile 6 devices.

But not everyone is convinced, with the new iPhone 2.0 software drawing criticism for being less competent and less tested than its BlackBerry and Windows Mobile counterparts.

Global analyst firm Gartner, after three weeks of testing and reviewing Apple's new iPhone 2.0 firmware and the iPhone 3G for use in large businesses, said the device can be supported by IT shops -- but only for a narrow set of uses such as voice, e-mail, Web browsing and the storage of personal information, citing security concerns as the reason for its restriction to limited use cases.

Nevertheless vendors including Oracle, NetSuite and others have or are releasing enterprise business intelligence applications for the iPhone 3G.

According to IBM's Web site, access to Lotus iNotes e-mail, calendars and contacts on the new iPhone will include the following features:
Nevertheless vendors including Oracle, NetSuite and others have or are releasing enterprise business intelligence applications for the iPhone 3G.

According to IBM's Web site, access to Lotus iNotes e-mail, calendars and contacts on the new iPhone will include the following features:

-- Easy viewing of Lotus inbox

-- Read e-mail with details either hidden or shown

-- The ability to quickly compose or reply to e-mail

-- The ability to attach and send files

-- View day-at-a-glance calendar

-- View details on meetings, all day events, reminders, and anniversaries

-- View an organized view of your contacts

-- View information on contacts and groups, and

-- Quickly create new contact entries




SOURCE:PCWORLD.COM
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India Plans IPO for State-run Phone Company

The Indian government is planning to hold an initial public offering (IPO) for about 10 percent of the equity of state-owned telecommunications service provider, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. (BSNL).

But the government is up against powerful trade unions who fear job losses from the move.Earlier plans by the government to sell a stake in BSNL to the public were blocked by communist parties within the ruling coalition government. The communists, however, broke away from the coalition in July in opposition to government plans to finalize a nuclear deal with the US.

The IPO continues to meet resistance from BSNL's employees unions.

The country's minister for communications, A. Raja on Thursday offered equity options to employees ahead of the IPO, which could benefit each employee by up to Indian rupees 200,000 (US$5000 approximately) when the company lists its stock on the exchange. But the trade unions have rejected the offer as a "bait".


Negotiations will continue, Raja told reporters in Delhi on Thursday. Raja believes that the IPO will unlock the value in BSNL. Listing will also ensure greater transparency and better resource management in the company, he said.

The government also approved on Thursday the preferential release of 3G and BWA (broadband wireless access) spectrum to BSNL and another government controlled telecommunications company, Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd. (MTNL).

Private sector operators will have to bid for 3G and BWA spectrum in an auction. BSNL and MTNL will however have to pay license fee for spectrum equal to the highest bid at the auction.

BSNL had close to 31 million fixed line subscribers and about 42 million mobile subscribers at the end of June, according to data from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).



SOURCE:PCWORLD.COM
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