The iPhone is continuing along its disruptive path in the world of mobile computing. The iPhone, while actually having a very small foot print in terms of global mobile phones, (it is slightly bigger if you only look at “Smart phones”), is having a significant impact on the whole approach and the success of mobile computing. The iPhone has a significant number of issues, which can be quickly run off along the lines of:

• Lack of 3G - significant problem for surfing
• Low quality camera - way behind some of the competition
• Software and usability issues - learning curve with the keypad and lack of effective search

Despite these ongoing issues the iPhone is having a significant impact in some unexpected areas. One of these areas is in web browsing. Despite the lack of 3G the iPhone is credited with significantly driving up the level of data use on networks, and is becoming the websurfing platform of choice for a growing number of people. It also seems to be getting a disproportionate focus from 3rd parties. Last week the BBC launched a version of its iPlayer for the iPhone and the iPod Touch. Users will be able to view streaming video of shows over WiFi networks. This might disappoint a number of people who would have preferred to be able to download the video to the device. The BBC has said that the iPlayer will be supported on a large number of projects in the future but it is interesting that they choose the Apple devices first.

In related news Apple have also finally announced their iPhone software development kit (SDK), and an application store so that users can browse for soon to be available 3rd party applications. Good 3rd party applications will increase further the viability of the platform for mobile computing. If you don’t need or want the phone capabilities I would say that the iPod Touch is increasing looking like a great buy.