Gartner has had a change of heart about the Apple (AAPL) iPhone.

When the iPhone was first launched, Gartner analysts had expressed concern over some security issues with the device. But in a release on Wednesday, Gartner said it has changed its stance in response to the company’s announcement of new features designed to make the phone more compatible with enterprise IT needs.

Gartner says the new capabilities allows the iPhone to match up against the Research in Motion (RIMM) Blackberry, Windows Mobile devices and phones built on the Symbian Series 60 platform.

With its license of Microsoft’s (MSFT) ActiveSync software allowing the device to connect with Exchange, Gartner says, “enterprises can provide sufficient security for iPhone during Exchange personal information manager and e-mail use.”

Gartner contends the new features “will open up a huge market for the iPhone, which previously had been stymied by a lack of basic business security and application functionality.”

Apple on Wednesday fell $3.15, or 2.4%, to $129.67.

[Source: http://blogs.barrons.com]