By Lilia Guan

 

With the launch of Android 4.0, also known as Ice Cream Sandwich, Google has brought together the phone and tablet strands of Android into a single version.

 

Information Technology and telecommunications analyst firm Ovum said this was “perhaps the more important aspect of the update”.

 

Ovum Research Director, Public Sector Kevin Noonan told Government News smartphones and tablet devices have become a phenomenon that has captured the imagination of consumers around the world.

 

“However behind the advertising and device announcements, there are some substantial changes happening within the government agencies and corporations,” he said.

 

Tablet devices are fast maturing as enterprise grade devices; in June this year, Australia’s Defence Signals Directorate released guidelines for hardening Apple IOS devices to enable them to be used to hold “in-confidence” information; and enterprise level support services are also beginning to appear on the market, making these devices more attractive for mainstream business use.

One of the issues contributing to the far limited sales of Android tablets is the relatively small number of applications which are available for them.

 

By creating a single version of Android, Google is making it easier for developers to modify their apps and take advantage of the larger screens of tablets, which should stimulate the creation of apps designed for Android tablets.

 

The update brings a number of minor features, some of which are borrowed from iOS and Windows Phone, such as access to camera from the lock screen and a new contacts app, and some are unique to the platform, such as facial recognition security.

 

“The recent Android announcement is the first step in opening up a more competitive field for government and corporate buyers,” he said.

 

“Tablet devices are providing new opportunities for a mobile workforce, particularly for frontline service staff such as policing, healthcare and local government.
 

“In many ways tablet devices are the missing link to enable key information to be made readily available in the field.“

 

Mr Noonan said tablet devices should not be seen alone as a complete solution.

 

Agencies should develop a mobile strategy that is not just linked to a single device type. Smartphones and lesser function 3G phones still have practical advantages for many types of work.

 

“This is just the start of a very long journey,” he said.

 

“Tablets are at just beginning to have an impact on the government and corporate sectors. It is important to plan for a strategy that will evolve significantly over time.

 

“For many CIOs, tablet devices sit uncomfortably somewhere between the fully locked down corporate computer, and the unsecure consumer device.”

 

Mr Noonan said CIOs resist the temptation to lock down tablets so much that they lose their unique appeal and capability.

 

“This is a tough balancing act for CIOs but one they cannot afford to ignore.”