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Do Business & iPhones Mix? They could.

For the few of us who decided to go against the grain and purchase an iphone for business, we have probably had a few surprises and even disappointments. Apple admits they missed the mark by not targeting business people initially. Especially, since many of us would readily purchase the item as priced. The good news is that I think they are trying to change that.

I love my iphone in everyway, except one. I can't access my Northwest Multiple Listing Service website. Internet Explorer and my MLS website allow MS ActiveX Controls. What this means exactly, I'm not sure, but I know it affects my work which in turn impacts my clients. The more I research this issue, the more I find out that most browsers never did allow ActiveX in the first place, it is really just an Internet Explorer thing. So, NWMLS, why would you use it? Anyway...

The good news is that Apple has announced they will release a SDK (Software Developers Kit) in February. This will allow 3^rd party developers to create iphone software. Hopefully, many of our business needs will be met at that time.

So, come on Northwest Multiple Listing Service, let's see some changes! Internet Explorer, I need you too! If someone could make a browser that allows ActiveX on the iphone, I'd be set. This could be an incredibly powerful business tool, so let's work together to make it work!

For those of you who are much more tech savvy than myself, let me know if you find a way around this issue or figure out a way I can use Safari. My phone would be perfect if I could just get on the MLS.

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UPDATE! Now my phone is complete! I just realized there is a way around this dilema. For anyone who has the same issue that I did with their iPhone, instead of looking up listing information, phone-to-shows, etc through my MLS website, I can also access this information through my login on the company website. Our Windermere website (RE/MAX does too and I'm sure many other larger companies) have their own sites where their agents login and can access their databases. The company site works great and has just answered all my problems. I knew the iPhone would be good for business. Plus, it's cute.

Thanks! Jen Hudson, GRI (360) 652-1200 or jen@jenhudsonhomes.com

Posted by Jen Hudson - Stanwood, Camano & Arlington,WA on 12/29/2007 04:05 PM

Comments (11)

iphone, build your business, real estate, technology

This post has been included in Washington Information Snohomish County, WA Information

11 Comments on Do Business & iPhones Mix? They could.

DEC

2007

That phone is very tempting. I have the 700W Treo and love it! I am sure they will work out all of the bugs:) Happy New Year, and Best of Luck at RE/MAX! I believe you will be happy with that decision.

Thanks Frances! I thought about the Treo & Blackberry (those are really the only other options), but thought I'd try it anyway. I think I'll be happy at RE/MAX too!

Treo and Blackberry are not the only other options

The 8525 and 8925 from ATT are GREAT options I have both

But back to iPhone... I like it but hate the fact it doesn't have High Speed internet like my 8525 and 8925 do. When the iPhone gets that I might also upgrade but also I need tru Sync for Microsoft exchange.

Sorry Off on a tangent again

The problem with you phone not accessing the MLS is not the phones or apple's fault but the MLS's fualt. They need to fix the problem and then the problem will be gone.

Loren

Thanks Loren! I guess I should have looked a little further into the 8525 or 8925.

And, yeah, I know it's the MLS's fault. Most problems with that site are their fault. It's kind of a running joke in our area about the mls and if it's running today. However, I certainly don't see the MLS fixing the problem, so I'm hoping someone else will come up with IE for the iphone. I think that's my best hope for a solution if I want to keep the phone.

DEC

2007

I think they can mix, because they are topics of conversation and thus you get your value out of them, although they are not thought to be businesslike such as a PDA smart phone by Palm or Blackberry, nevertheless they can mix, so this is indeed a decent question to ask. - Lance

Good to know that the iPhone can help with this industry. Especially that last line - that was funny!

Thanks Lance. That's a great point, it is also a conversation piece which I can now use even more in my business. Perfect!

Thanks Matthew. "Cute" isn't the primary reason I chose one, but it did help.

Hey Jen:

Have you checked with your MLS? For example, I cannot access my MLS directly from my BB, but I can get there by using its PDA URL. So, you might have access through a mobile address.

Thanks Elizabeth! That's a great idea and I'll check into that.

I still have a Palm m515 which, of course, does not have a phone. I'm not sure what I will replace it with when it quits. The iPhone is pretty cool, but I prefer the Verizon network. The iPod touch lacks a lot of the iPhone features. What is good about the Palm is that the software is very easy to use, but Palm seems to be losing popularity.

Thanks Rich. Well, as Elizabeth pointed out I just found out I can access my mls through the PDA address. (Thanks Elizabeth!) Now, I would recommend the iphone to anyone, but you will be stuck with AT&T. But, I had them before and they have one of the best coverage areas for my small town.

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