Saturday 16 April 2011

Android at work.

Android is in the workplace. There has been recent news of organizations testing iPhones, iPads and Androids in the corporate environment, with many IT departments realizing that either employees are buying these preferred devices and feel more productive on them, or for some situations, there may be upside in having more open platforms with easy-to-use inputs and interfaces. In general, Android provides a more open platform, giving IT departments the ability to integrate their own apps more easily.

Enterprises want control

Security of data and networks is top priority. With a robust enterprise mobility platform and client for the Android, organizations can control which networks are offered, whether vendor-defined or their own. Directory updates should be pushed out automatically taking advantage of OTA functionality. A connection manager client should run in the background, and depending on the prioritization of networks for the device profile, can notify a user when an appropriate and safe Wi-Fi hotspot is available.

Connectivity can be managed and controlled for those networks. A good reporting tool can provide reports showing the number of sessions, usage statistics and service quality information for improved help desk response. With a connection manager set up for dealing with multiple screens and logins with free Wi-Fi vendors, users can connect seamlessly to these "free" hotspots that have been vetted and approved, ensuring a quality connection.

Enterprises want to support what's easy

With enterprise mobility services, IT departments can provision, deploy and manage the Android phone, like the laptops. An Android client profile, controlled through the cloud services, should contain information on what networks the user will be able to connect to as well as information on how users should connect. An organization can ensure that its unique policies and procedures are followed before accessing Wi-Fi networks and be more proactive in moving users to lower-cost networks.

If an enterprise works with a good network connection aggregator, then Android users will have access to thousands of Wi-Fi locations across the globe, as well as in-flight access. All access is consolidated into a single relationship, meaning that organizations don't have to manage multiple carrier relationships or deal with individual users charging back service expenses whenever they travel.

Enterprises want cost reduction

Controlled access to Wi-Fi can help prevent unintentional roaming costs or data downloads from the more expensive 3G networks. Not only can Wi-Fi have higher connectivity, but it's also more available in places for business travel - airports, hotels, convention centers, areas that often have weaker 3G signals. Moving users to Wi-Fi networks can provide a cost savings advantage as more carriers move away from unlimited data access.

Enterprises want end-user productivity

Android, like the iPhone and iPad, has become a "people's choice." New devices, OS updates and apps are coming out constantly. Users have voted with their time and usage, connecting more often and downloading more data (link to Android data stats). As smartphone shipments overtake PCs, mobile devices move to become the dominant computing platform for mobile workers.

Mobile workers want to use a device that helps them be more productive; not necessarily the device that IT is offering and they are willing to pay for it. With a robust connection management tool, users can connect more quickly and easily, resulting in a better, more consistent experience.

There may be many instances where the connection quality and throughput offered by 3G does not match the needs for the applications that enterprise organizations want to leverage on a smartphone (e.g. VoIP). Leveraging Wi-Fi as an alternative may be an easy way to get the throughput and latency required for high bandwidth applications. Wi-Fi can also improve productivity when users are downloading email, trying to get caught up as quickly as possible.

The Android smartphone is predicted to be a dominant player in the smartphone market and has started to make inroads as a mobile workforce device. Corporate IT departments can now find solutions in the market to manage Android as an enterprise-ready device.

See how easy it is to manage the Android smartphone in the workplace: http://www3.ipass.com/mobile-employees/android/

iPass Inc. changes the economics of enterprise mobility for your organization and radically improves the connectivity experience for internet users. We give IT more visibility and control to contain and reduce mobility costs, maintain security and get your mobile workers online faster and easier - anywhere. Find more trend information on enterprise mobility, mobile device and smartphone cost reports at: http://www3.ipass.com/about/news-room/mobile-workforce-report/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=K_Hickey

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5245706

The HTC Wildfire.

One of the more impressive Android smartphones has been the HTC Wildfire; the phone is rocking the Android 2.1 OS and benefits from the exclusive HTC Sense overlay which works so well with the Google based platform. Users can utilize a full touch screen to navigate the intuitive interface while a 528 MHz processor shoots them the various applications and features. The Wildfire is by no means the highest spec phone to come from HTC, but it is an accomplished, mid-range all-rounder which is highly accessible to people from all backgrounds.

The HTC Wild fire is quite compact in size; it measures 106.75 x 60.4 x 12.19mm and weighs in at 118g. The screen technology includes multi-touch input (capacitive), an accelerometer for automatic UI rotation and a QVGA pixel set up of 240 x 320 pixels too produce the rich colours and impressive contrast ratio generated on-screen. The Wildfire is very comfortable to hold and its size means it is pocket friendly also.

The Sense overlay integrates all of your social network activities into one application and full management via dedicated applications for Facebook and Twitter. There is ample coverage for IM, e-mail, SMS and MMS messaging formats where an on-screen QWERTY keyboard can be used for the more advanced messaging users.

Access to the Android Market opens up a world of opportunities where additional apps can be added to the phones software via download. The popular platform also prides itself on its web browser which supports bookmarks, pinch and zoom, and tethering. The Wildfire is packing plenty of support for online connectivity with 3G and Wi Fi the pick of the bunch; both provide super fast connectivity with impressive download speeds to boot. Basic Adobe flash support is also included in the package.

HTC have ensured the phone is totally compatible with all of its user's social network accounts and even lets them share videos online with YouTube. The 5MP camera is perfectly balanced to handle day-to-day photo capture and video coverage; it comes complete with Auto focus and flash, and despite it not being the highest grade camera ever it loads up very quickly and performs quite nicely.

The HTC Wildfire has been pre-loaded with a very capable music player which also supports FM radio, and a video player which can play a range of video formats with ease. A 3.5mm jack provides the standard headphone connection while advanced Bluetooth allows for wireless hardware communication. The phones memory can be expanded via a microSD card with a limit of 32GB being compatible. Other major selling points of the Wildfire are its navigation and location support with A-GPS, HTC Footprints and Google Maps.
The HTC Wildfire has an awful lot to offer its user, with a varied package of apps, and thousands more online there is plenty of support which benefit users in all situations. The Wildfire is fully equipped with all the standard features you would expect on an Android smartphone; great messaging support, tons of online aspects to play with and an all-round multimedia experience.

Check out the HTC HD7 and HTC Wildfire at phoneslimted.co.uk

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lee_Thornton


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5204374

Comments and reveiws on the android.

Android was first developed for mobile phones by Android, Inc., and was bought in 2005 by Google. Android designed the smartphone for optimal memory and hardware resourcefulness and to create a more PC-like feel for mobile phones.

With so many on the market (I think there are over 50 now), how do you choose one that won't become obsolete before you start using it? What do you want in a smartphone?--easy Internet browsing, the ability to upgrade before your phone does become obsolete, plus you'll want to be able to access Google's navigation system, and what about customization and social networking?

Browsing the Internet with Android and ATT's fast mobile broadband network will be a cinch. Android offers Flash support with comfortable web browsing almost as easy as a PC, plus very fast load times.

There are thousands of apps available for the open-source Android and the list is endless. You can add everything from utilities to games, and you can even remote control your PC. There is an app called Sat Tracx that allows you to locate not only family members and friends but also your assets like your car or truck, and you can locate your mobile if its lost or stolen. You can locate loved ones--elderly, children, friends--and connect with them immediately. If you're ever lost, you can get your exact location by calling the Sat Tracx call center.

Google Maps Navigation (Beta) is available in the Android market. Just tell it where you want to go and the voice-activated Google Map Navigation will do the rest.

It's your phone, so it should reflect your personal tastes and flair. If you don't want to settle for the default interface, you can choose from an endless number of apps beginning with the wallpaper. No two screens have to look alike, and the sky's the limit when it comes to widgets. They come in many shapes and sizes. Change the sounds, the indicator lights, and add any inconceivable number of apps such as the weather channel and Pandora.

Finally, social networking--Twitter, MySpace, Facebook--might be your thing. You want to stay in touch with your friends and family because you care about them. Android allows you to customize your home page with social networking widgets and apps that again are endless.

Read here more articles about Android phones with use of a mobile spy software!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_Michel

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5807038