AT&T will be helping Apple target the business crowd with the iPad. According to the carrier, it will offer both Wi-Fi and 3G models to businesses with discounted plans. Good news for business who want to adopt the iPad for its wealth of applications and wireless capabilities.
This might also be bad news for RIM, however, as its BlackBerry PlayBook may easily take a back seat to business users. The Wall Street Journal reports:
The company will offer iPad Wi-Fi and 3G models directly to businesses with a discounted wireless data pricing plan. The plan is similar to promotions the company offers to companies that purchase Research In Motion Ltd.’s BlackBerry or Apple’s iPhone for employees.
As customers cut the cord on their land lines and the market for mobile phone plans becomes even more saturated, phone companies such as AT&T and Verizon Communications Inc. see tablets as a significant source of new revenue.
Indeed, Verizon will be selling the iPad along with Mi-Fi data cards next week — a boon to Apple who is facing some competition from the coming Samsung Galaxy Tab.
Michael Antieri, president of the Advanced Enterprise Mobility Solutions group, says, “We do believe it’s our biggest and best organic growth opportunity,” when referring to application development and tablets.
It’s beginning to look more like Apple will forever be the dominant player in the tablet market as it is in the MP3 player market with the iPod.
[Via: WSJ]