How the iPhone puts a bomb under mobile networks | The Register

Amazingly good analysis of the new push notifications service for iPhone 2.0:

If you think everything that could have been written about the iPhone already has been written, prepare to be surprised. One vital aspect of Apple's strategy has been overlooked - with multi-billion consequences for complacent network operators.

Over at Telco 2.0, the blog of analysts STL Partners, we learn that networks who partner with Apple must install Apple gear at the data centre to support its services - specifically, the Push Notification service that wakes up the Jesus Phone. Forget the revenues from sales of extra server gear - the key point is that Apple now sits in the middle of the data stream, capturing the customer's data. The analyst outfit describes the iPhone as a potential "poison" for the networks.

[From How the iPhone puts a bomb under mobile networks | The Register]

I like how they call it the "Jesus" phone.

For three months before and after the launch of the first iPhone, one of the earliest and most convenient excuses to dismiss it out of the business arena was the whole idea that you couldn't push content into it. Who gives a shit how neat this is, it can't talk to Exchange for crying out loud!

Now it can basically replace a Crackberry. Where's your God now?

Subsidizing it by $200 helps too.