Android’s business market targeting questioned
One of the key figures behind the Android system says it will begin to compete in the business market this year. But critics question whether the system will try to serve too many audiences.
Andy Rubin, the director of mobile platforms at Google, says future editions of Android will specifically target business applications. He told Reuters: “Today we don’t support many enterprise applications but in the future I think enterprise will be a good focus for us.”
Rubin did note that adding business-friendly features is no guarantee manufacturers will take advantage of them. That will depend on whether handset makers think the system offers enough to make it worth taking a shot at a market dominated by Research In Motion’s BlackBerry range.
The problem is that it’s not clear what Android can offer that would be of interest to businesses. It should be relatively simple for future editions to have closer integration with Google applications such as Gmail and Google Docs, but many businesses don’t feel such services are secure and reliable enough to use in the first place. T-Mobile’s myTouch handset, which runs Android, offers support for Microsoft Exchange which is more likely to appeal to business users.
Rubin has also spoken of Android getting tools to better integrate with social networking sites, similar to the Synergy system available on Palm handsets. Tony Bradley of PC World notes that this could create a conflict of interest as the openness needed for social networking sites doesn’t necessarily sit well with business demands for tightly controlled security.
Rubin also revealed that both an update to Android (version 1.6, codenamed Donut) and a full new edition (2.0, aka Éclair) should be out this year, with the next edition (Flan) scheduled for next year.
If any bookmakers are laying odds, I’ll take a punt on Gateau following next.
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