Apple, IBM release first mobile apps

The apps bring IBM’s strength in Big Data and analysis to Apple’s iPad and iPhone mobile devices, the companies said Wednesday.

The apps target users in the banking, retail, insurance, financial services, telecommunications and airline industries. One of the apps, for example, allows a flight crew to personalise a passenger’s in-flight experience. An app targeted at the banking industry allows a financial advisor to remotely access and manage a client’s portfolio so they can provide consulting in venues outside of an office. Police officers can use iPhones to view video feeds from crime scenes with an app for law enforcement. Customers using the apps include Air Canada, Sprint and financial and banking services firm Citi, according to the release.

“What we’re delivering aims directly at the new quest of business – Smart technologies that unlock new value at the intersection of Big Data and individual engagement,” said Bridget van Kralingen, Senior Vice President, IBM Global Business Services, in a statement.

IBM and Apple announced their partnership in July. The deal allows IBM to apply its deep enterprise technology experience to Apple consumer-friendly products, which haven’t been fully embraced by business users.

The plan calls for IBM will resell Apple devices with its software pre-installed. IBM activation, management and security software are also involved in the deal. The partnership aims to give Apple the credibility it still has not quite achieved in IT departments and bring IBM into a popular mobile ecosystem