The new Apple-IBM partnership is going to bring dramatic change to the mobile industry. While the two tech giants were once enemies in the computer-development race, their collaboration is destined to become a tech powerhouse.
In a press release, Apple explained how the partnership is going to work: “The new IBM MobileFirst for iOS solutions will be built in an exclusive
collaboration that draws on the distinct strengths of each company: IBM’s big data and analytics capabilities, with the power of more than 100,000 IBM
industry and domain consultants and software developers behind it, fused with Apple’s legendary consumer experience, hardware and software integration and developer platform.”
Traditionally, IBM is known for its innovations in the realm of PC computing, but now it’s teaming up with Apple to improve iOS. CNBC also noted the partnership “could make Apple — traditionally a consumer brand — a major player in the business market.”
In an interview with CNBC, Apple CEO Tim Cook believes the partnership is going to be hugely beneficial to both companies.
“It takes the best of Apple and the best of IBM and puts those together,” Cook told CNBC. “There’s no overlap, there’s no competition, they’re totally complimentary, and more than anything they focus on the enterprise customer. This is all about reinventing enterprise, taking big data analytics down to the fingertips of people so they can spend their time making complex decisions, not running around getting data.”
IBM CEO Ginni Rometty agrees with Cook and listed three things the two companies hope to accomplish, mentioning digital security as a major focus.
“[We want] growth for both our companies,” Rometty told CNBC. “But the second thing is – that we and Tim have both talked about – is this idea of remaking business. This is all about unlocking mobility in the enterprise, and value that hasn’t been there to date. And the third thing is, address one of the number one inhibitors, which is security.”
In an age where consumers are paranoid of NSA surveillance, does the Apple-IBM partnership promise mobile devices with better digital security? Only time will tell. For now, consumers will have to be satisfied with Cook’s enthusiasm for the future of Apple and IBM.
“We are thrilled, and I think a lot of customers are going to be thrilled,” Cook told CNBC. “It’s great for customers, that’s why we get up in the morning here.”