It seems like I am always selling Android to my friends and colleagues. I am amazed at how many people don't know about it or even worse, think it's just a version of Apple's iOS! So, as I go through my routine of explaining Android and all it's goodness, the question always comes up, "Well, can I get my work e-mail on it?", "What about security?" For the sake of full disclosure, in it's infancy Android wasn't real strong in supporting Exchange or many business apps, but neither was the iPhone. Blackberry and even WindowsMobile certainly had the stronghold for the business power user and still does in many ways, but this post will prove that Android is on it's way to the top.
CIO.com recently posted a lengthy article and interviews with 7 IT professionals who broke their crack-berry addiction for the sweet taste of freedom that Android offers. I have picked out the Pro's and Con's from their experience and expertise and summarized below.
1. Rich user experience.
2. Multi-tasking.
3. Tight integration with Google Apps and Services.
4. Variety of form factors and modern design.
5. Openness. Ability to hack and root.
6. Sleek and customizable interface.
7. It's more fun!
8. Better hardware (on most devices).
9. Growing app market and community.
10. Growing popularity among cloud based services.
Now, some of these reasons can be negatives, like tight integration with Google. Or what if you don't want to hack your phone or tinker with thousands of apps on the market. But don't forget there are several alternatives to Google's services as well as many apps to help you complete your jobs.
Here is a list of my favorite Business apps:
1. Portable wifi hotspot (more of a feature, but still)
2. Scan2PDF
3. Documents to Go
4. E-mail (Exchange, POP and IMAP support)
5. DropBox
6. Evernote
7. Finance
8. Voice Recorder
9. Google Voice
10. Insert reference apps here: (Formulas, MBA, Droid Law, Calculator, etc...)
For some people the Blackberry is a hard drug to just quit cold-turkey. Besides, if you are reading this, then chances are I am preaching to the choir, but I hope this post serves as a link to direct your addict friends to. Then finally, as a last resort to convince someone why Android can fill their business needs; ask them when was the last time they provided a van full of suits hotspot wifi access, held a 4 person conference call, edited an Excel worksheet and scanned and sent a document all at the same time using nothing but their phone?
3. Tight integration with Google Apps and Services.
4. Variety of form factors and modern design.
5. Openness. Ability to hack and root.
6. Sleek and customizable interface.
7. It's more fun!
8. Better hardware (on most devices).
9. Growing app market and community.
10. Growing popularity among cloud based services.
Now, some of these reasons can be negatives, like tight integration with Google. Or what if you don't want to hack your phone or tinker with thousands of apps on the market. But don't forget there are several alternatives to Google's services as well as many apps to help you complete your jobs.
Here is a list of my favorite Business apps:
1. Portable wifi hotspot (more of a feature, but still)
2. Scan2PDF
3. Documents to Go
4. E-mail (Exchange, POP and IMAP support)
5. DropBox
6. Evernote
7. Finance
8. Voice Recorder
9. Google Voice
10. Insert reference apps here: (Formulas, MBA, Droid Law, Calculator, etc...)
For some people the Blackberry is a hard drug to just quit cold-turkey. Besides, if you are reading this, then chances are I am preaching to the choir, but I hope this post serves as a link to direct your addict friends to. Then finally, as a last resort to convince someone why Android can fill their business needs; ask them when was the last time they provided a van full of suits hotspot wifi access, held a 4 person conference call, edited an Excel worksheet and scanned and sent a document all at the same time using nothing but their phone?
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