Because of the confusion surrounding the right or lack thereof to unlock your iPhone and install third party applications, let’s just say “I have this friend…” [skip ahead to summary and BS Score]

I have this friend who wanted to use his iPhone overseas and …

When he called AT&T they wanted $3.99/minute for voice calls. But the prevailing rate amongst competitors was closer to 45 cents / minute. So he reacted appropriately. He unlocked his phone using Ziphone. This process involves downloading a piece of software and running it via USB cable against your iPhone. Six scary minutes later, your phone is “Jailbroken, Unlocked and Activated.” He took the unlocked phone with him, bought a local SIM, and save $400.

What can you do with an unlocked iPhone?

The biggest news is the ease with which this generation of unlocking software enables root access and creates a new iPhone icon called “Installer.” “Installer” permits WIFI installation of third party applications for the iPhone. This is something familiar to Blackberry and Treo users but sorely missing in the iPhone world. The summer release of iPhone 2.0 firmware will remedy this problem, but for those in a hurry to see around the next corner, here are some examples of what you can look forward to.

You can manage remote databases interactively. Example: Netflix Queue

This great little application called iFlix let’s you manage your Netflix queue with click and drag like efficiency. See what’s coming up, what’s at home, browse for Top 100, or let the search engine recommend something for you.

You can install rules based decision-making tools. Example: “Crosswalks”

In New York City there are complex rules governing the numbering of addresses on the major avenues of the island which run north to south. The application “Crosswalks” moves those rules to the palm-top.

You can install any of hundreds of applications using built in search. Example: Tetris

What this all means to you

This summer when Apple releases version 2 of it’s iPhone software corporate America will be buying Seamless integration with Microsoft Exchange Mail - the de facto email server for businesses around the world — and integration with databases like Salesforce.com‘ mean you’ll be seeing more of these devices in your business life. You’ll be in a position to start moving rich media from your mainstream distribution channels to the mobile platform.

Buzzword Status Score

• Hype: High
• Value: Real
• Timeframe: Heating up in June with real media hitting the streets in late Summer 2008