Newer iOS features may be essential

The iPad is still being rapidly adopted by corporations past early phases, notes the Wall Street Journal. One given example is Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal, a major Chicago lawfirm, which initially pre-ordered 10 iPads but now has over 50 lawyers using the tablet; in 2011, an iPad will be available as an alternative to a notebook. A maker of eye-care products, Baush & Lomb, had 50 people using an iPad shortly after launch, and in fact has a custom app for its salespeople.

Kaiser Permanente, the US' largest HMO, is currently said to be testing the iPad in a massive technology lab, measuring 37,000 square feet. Potential uses may include loading medical records, or viewing images from X-rays and CT scans. Despite the fact that Kaiser is also testing another tablet designed for hospitals, the company is so far said to be impressed with the iPad.

In addition to familiarity with the iPhone, on which the iPad is based, several factors are believed to be fueling corporate interest. One of the chief elements is price, since even the most expensive iPad is often cheaper than a notebook. The iPad is also better for certain tasks than a proper computer, such as working while standing up.

Apple has, more importantly, gradually added better enterprise compatibility to iOS, including Exchange support, remote erase functions, and the ability to distribute custom apps without using the App Store. The App Store itself has become a significant source of business apps, with over 500 iPad-native titles along those lines. One free app from Citrix is reported to have been downloaded over 145,000 times.

by MacNN Staff