Google has today expanded their Android Enterprise Recommended program to include ruggedised Android smartphones from a number of manufacturers.
The Android Enterprise Recommended program was introduced in Februrary, with the aim of the program to ‘make it easier for organizations to select, deploy and manage enterprise devices and services’.
To be included in the Android Recommended program a device must meet a baseline of specs, and support certain features. As well, with their ruggedised devices, Google promises better software support over a longer period of time stating ‘Delivery of Android security updates within 90 days of release from Google, for a minimum of five years’ and offer at least one OS feature update. Google says manufacturers have to provide ingress protection and rating for drop testing, as well.
The list includes devices from five manufacturers, with Google advising that they’re working to include devices from Panasonic at some point. The list includes :
- Zebra TC25, TC51, TC56, TC70x and TC75x
- Honeywell Dolphin CT40, Dolphin CT60 and Dolphin CN80
- Sonim XP8
- Point Mobile PM45
- Datalogic Memor 10 (launching in October)
It’s a pretty decent list, and with Panasonic and their ‘Tough’ line of devices expected to join it offers enterprise level entities a way to intelligently manage their fleet of mobile devices. The extended software updates mean they can deploy devices for longer which adds peace of mind for those companies, with a cheaper overall cost of ownership in the end.
