Droid don’t do business
Infoworld has poured some cold water on the recent Android hype in the US, specifically for business users.
They note that the Android, even in its 2.0 version, lacks even basic security features essential for business users. The OS does not support Exchange ActiveSync policies, and 3rd party software that brings some support lie to the Exchange server about their real capabilities, such as full device encryption and thereby compromise company security.
The OS also does not support remote management capabilities, such as remotely installing applications or limiting which apps can run.
Worse still even getting Exchange Activesync to work has proven to be a challenge for many, with synching not being reliable at all.
Infoworld wrote:
Given that more businesses use Exchange than any other enterprise-class e-mail server, the uncertainty over the Droids’ level of Exchange support, the revelation that Touchdown inaccurately reports at least on-device encryption ActiveSync policy support, and the fact that the Droids don’t support IBM’s Lotus Notes or Novell’s Groupwise secured connections, I can’t imagine any responsible business or IT department permitting the use of the Droids for corporate e-mail access. Thus, for business e-mail use, RIM BlackBerry remains the most secure mobile device, followed by Windows Mobile, and — in distant third place — the Apple iPhone.
Verizon spokeswoman Brenda Raney wasn’t kidding when she told me, “The [Motorola] Droid is primarily a consumer phone.”
The author concludes:
The bottom line is clear: If an IT organization considers the iPhone to be too unsecure or hard to manage, there’s no way it could consider the Droids as supportable mobile devices.
Read the full article here.
Via Pocketnow.com
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Now I REALLY want one!
(And yes, I have been in IT for more than 13 years)
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Funny pic…
I don't understand the Droid, what's so special about it? Everyone's going crazy for it, and it's merely because of the massive anti-iPhone marketing that Verizon has undertaken.
It's just another Android device, it doesn't even have a skin on top – just the boring Google stuff. All it has is a nice keyboard while being relatively thin and a high-res screen.
Am I missing something?
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simbadogg Reply:
November 10th, 2009 at 2:32 am
its a new android phone. it has android 2.0. it has the fastest cpu ever to be offered in an android phone. it has a full qwerty keyboard (something that hasn't been seen in an android phone since the g1). it has a very very thin form factor (thinnest slider in the world). it is the highest resolution (near WVGA) screen available on android…
i could go on, but you get the picture. sure there will be fastest, thinner, sleeker, sexier android phones which will be released in the months to come, but when you're the hottest girl on the block…getting attention is a given.
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mighty Reply:
November 10th, 2009 at 5:00 am
so basically it's all about the OS alongside other things that hasn't happened before. Excpet for the thinness.
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Jos Dewey Reply:
November 10th, 2009 at 6:05 am
Well this isn't the only Android phone that's going to have 2.0 – they all will from now until the next version comes out.
Faster processor, granted – but it's still no Snapdragon, just 550MHz.
The keyboard I've heard is not that nice. There's also the Samsung Moment out now, also has a full keyboard.
It's also not the only high-resolution Android phone in town. It seems that now that Android supports them plenty of phones are coming with this resolution.
I'm not saying it's not a nice phone, it might be but it seems way overhyped – it doesn't even have any kind of software customization on it, just the boring Google home screen. This device has undeniably garnered the most attention and buzz since the iPhone, you guys think its deserved? It hardly changes the game in any meaningful way, just another Android device with slightly above average hardware.
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simbadogg Reply:
November 10th, 2009 at 6:24 am
how can you be so ignorant. its the fastest, clearest phone that android has right now…and you're trying to discredit it because there's faster phones coming in the months to come? i dont even think you understand how petty that sounds. imagine some mftr coming out w/ the worlds fastest car (say the corvette zr1 for example) and then someone saying ''oh well, its not that deserving..there will be a faster car out next year".
i dont care how anyone tries to shake it…right now it is STILL the only 2.0 android device out, its STILL the fastest android device out, its STILL the highest res android device out. they sony ''rachel'' may be coming soon, but does anyone honestly thing that'll hit a US carrier even within the next 3 months? This is easily going to be the best android device available in the US for the next 3 months or more.
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Chris Reply:
November 10th, 2009 at 6:42 am
Its ugly, looks cheap and above all its a Motorola meaning it will probably be unreliable as well..
Jos Dewey Reply:
November 10th, 2009 at 7:14 am
Ignorant? Petty? Jesus, we're talking about a phone, are we not? You make it sound as if we're discussing my strength of character or something.
You are missing my point, I don't really have a problem with the specs of the Droid per se. Nothing else has managed to stir up excitement to iPhone-like levels in the last few years, except for the Droid from what I can gather. The first thing I thought about was the role of marketing and advertising, because the anti-Apple ads are probably the most notable thing about the Droid.
The reviews I've read say it's not very well built and the keyboard nothing to write home about. And Chris is right, it's a pretty ugly device… the looks have grown on me a little since I first saw pictures, but I just basically went from being disgusted to being okay with it. What's with the gold accents? They look cheap and blingy… and that chin on the bottom ain't helping things.
But really, I'm not approaching this from a usability or hardware standpoint. I just have to wonder if the massive marketing campaign is the reason why the Droid is being lauded by most people currently. The Hero managed to drum up some excitement, but it wasn't this much hype – and you have to remember, the Hero has a massively customized OS… and that's my argument: The Droid might be the most powerful Android device out right now, but so what? Plain Android with the Google skin is nothing I would personally lust after.
The Droid is just another phone – it has pros and some cons, it has some features but it misses out on some other features. You can make the comparison with the world's fastest car, but what if the world's fastest car can only go 30 km/h? Even if this has a fastish processor, I'm no longer going to slap down a chunk of cash or sign a contract unless I'm getting Snapdragon or something better.
I think people (tech bloggers) like Android because its not WM. I wasnt WOWed by the power of Android when I used a few handsets.
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