In this installment of SideXSide, our comparison series that
examines the enterprise-friendly features of leading products and services, we’re taking a look at some of the prominent Android OS smartphones on the market. In the process, we want to help you determine which
handset might deliver the best experience for your employees.
Admittedly, choosing any Android-based device may be difficult
for you. Google’s platform is designed with consumers in mind first, and many
of the devices that boast the Android operating system include features that, at first glance,
make them seem far more consumer-friendly than enterprise-friendly. However,
Motorola is selling the Droid Pro pointedly with enterprise customers in mind.
And, more Android devices than you might think are delivering features that might be
enough to get you to think twice about the platform.
Read on to find out more about some of the leading prominent Android smartphones to see if any of those products might satisfy your
corporate needs.
SideXSide: Android Smartphones
| Features | Motorola Droid Pro | Samsung Captivate | HTC Droid Incredible | Google (Samsung) Nexus S |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carrier | Verizon | AT&T | Verizon | Unlocked GSM |
| OS Version | Android 2.2 | Android 2.1 | Android 2.2 | Android 2.3 |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi and 3G | Wi-Fi and 3G | Wi-Fi and 3G | Wi-Fi and 3G |
| Security Features | Comes with remote wipe functionality out of the box. Data encryption will be made available in 2011. | Standard Android security features, which is to say that most enterprise users wouldn’t be all that happy with the functionality. Also has less security than the Droid Pro. | Standard Android security features, which is to say that most enterprise users wouldn’t be all that happy with the functionality. Also has less security than the Droid Pro. | Offers standard Android security features seen on Android 2.2. It also adds more protection, including safeguarding users against clickjacking attempts. |
| Battery Life | Approximately eight hours with continuous GSM usage and about six-and-a-half hours on 3G. Standby time will last over 13 days. | Nearly six hours of talk time and about 12.5 days on standby. | More than five hours of talk time and over six days on standby. | More than six hours using 3G and 14 hours using 2G connectivity. Standby time is 17.8 days on 3G. |
| Extra enterprise features? | Features 3G mobile hotspot functionality to share its 3G connection with up to five computers. In addition, features QuickOffice for document editing and AuthenTec VPN client. | Few and far between. Most notably comes with Memo Pad, scheduling app, and support for corporate e-mail. | Few and far between. Most notably comes with Gmail and Exchange support. | Most notably boasts support for corporate e-mail and assisted GPS. Also comes with the ability to take notes and improved copy-and-paste, thanks to Android 2.3 Gingerbread. |
| Physical keyboard? | Yes | No | No | No |
| Market focus | Enterprise | Consumer | Consumer | Consumer |
| Cost | $179.99 with two-year contract | $199.99 with two-year contract | $149.99 with two-year contract | $199.99 with two-year contract |
Source: CIO Insight