Get ready for iPhones and iPads preloaded with specialized business IBM software.
Apple (AAPL, Tech30) and
IBM (IBM, Tech30)
on Tuesday announced a partnership to leverage each company's
strengths. Starting this fall, Apple is delivering devices exclusively
to IBM, which "Big Blue" will then prep with industry-specific apps for
business customers. The idea is to provide specialized Apple
devices to companies in banking, health care, insurance, retail, travel
and transportation.
IBM said it will listen to the distinct needs of business clients, then craft software that addresses those issues. "For the first time ever we're putting IBM's renowned big data
analytics at iOS users' fingertips, which opens up a large market
opportunity for Apple," Apple CEO Tim Cook said in a statement, calling
the partnership "a radical step."
IBM CEO Ginni Rometty promised a "transformation to the way people work, industries operate and companies perform." Starting this fall, the devices will only be available through IBM
representatives to their business clients.
They will include a private
app catalog, data security services and more.
An IBM
spokeswoman said it was too early to give examples of what kinds of apps
would be available. The companies also said Apple devices would use
IBM's vast and powerful cloud services -- which offer data storage and
work-sharing capabilities.
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