Google's much-touted Android for Work is now officially available on Google Play, allowing owners of older Android smartphones to create a secure space for their business apps.
Android for Work is Google's Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) app for older Android smartphones. The app became officially available on Google Plan on Thursday, April 16. Google plans to get more consumer-owned Android devices accepted as work devices by businesses, and the launch of Android for Work on Google Play marks a notable step forward in the right direction.
Simply put, Android for Work aims to make sure that users' personal data never gets mixed with their work data, despite coexisting on the same device. Samsung has already been offering this possibility on its devices through its KNOX security software, but other Android devices did not feature the same capability.
In fact, Samsung's KNOX helped Google with some essential parts of Android for Work, including the "work profiles" that are native to Android 5.0 Lollipop due to its support for multi-user accounts. Android for Work, however, targets older Android devices running OS versions ranging from 4.0 ICS to 4.4 KitKat, which basically includes the wide majority of currently used Android devices.
Through Android for Work, IT admins will be able to easily manage and isolate work data and apps from personal data. Once you install the app on a device, you must enroll said device with one of Google's MDM providers such as BlackBerry, Mobile Iron, VMware, and others. Moreover, Google will also offer businesses an app store so they can publish their own apps within the program. Third-party apps that are part of the program, meanwhile, include Adobe, Salesforce, Box, the HR software Success Factors from SAP, and others.
"The Android for Work app provides the ultimate solution to get work done on your Android device and separates your work and personal data. With your IT administrator's support, the Android for Work app isolates and encrypts work data, including productivity, third-party, and internally developed applications. Use the Android for Work app to access all the business tools you need to get your job done," reads the app's description on Google Play.
"With full policy enforcement, control over app distribution, and remote wiping of all business data, IT admins can manage the Android for Work app through partner management solutions."
Head over to Google's website at this link to learn more about Android for Work, or download the app from Google Play here.
