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Google announces Android for Work

googleforwork.blogspot.com

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Re: Google announces Android for Work

#11

Post by MichaelGG »

> a dedicated work profile that isolates and protects work data

Oh wow, can this be used to just create a separate profile for every app? That way I can run Uber or Line without giving them every permission to everything? This is the biggest reason I do not install apps. Every "famous" app requests so many permissions it's just stupid.

And not to mention the weirdness of some of them, like "WiFi Device Information". What's that mean? Access to my WiFi AP names? No thanks. Or just local multicast? Who knows.

Re: Google announces Android for Work

#12

Post by dflock »

api wrote: post #9

So we're all going to code, write, etc. on four inch screens? Seriously why hasn't someone made a smart phone that "transforms" into a larger screen form factor when connected to a monitor? I could see Android phones doing this. I could never imagine iOS doing it-- Apple would never cannibalize Mac like that, and iOS is too jailed for anything "real." Of course apps would have to support it. But those that didn't cou…

Android has been able to do this for years - here's video with details of someone using an android phone as a desktop replacement - with an external monitor and keyboard, etc...:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bB-icTl2J-c

Also, ChromeOS is a functional replacement for Windows + Office: ChromeOS + Google Docs. It comes on hardware (ChromeBooks or ChromeBoxes) which are very cheap but capable, because ChromeOS is very lightweight. These devices are on par, cost wise, with a Windows Terminal - and require even less IT dept. effort to maintain.

Re: Google announces Android for Work

#14

Post by loxs »

MichaelGG wrote: post #11

> a dedicated work profile that isolates and protects work data Oh wow, can this be used to just create a separate profile for every app? That way I can run Uber or Line without giving them every permission to everything? This is the biggest reason I do not install apps. Every "famous" app requests so many permissions it's just stupid. And not to mention the weirdness of some of them, like "WiFi Device Information".…

Actually that's the reason I use iOS

Re: Google announces Android for Work

#15

Post by Zigurd »

api wrote: post #9

So we're all going to code, write, etc. on four inch screens? Seriously why hasn't someone made a smart phone that "transforms" into a larger screen form factor when connected to a monitor? I could see Android phones doing this. I could never imagine iOS doing it-- Apple would never cannibalize Mac like that, and iOS is too jailed for anything "real." Of course apps would have to support it. But those that didn't cou…

The toolchain won't run on Android anyway. I would enjoy having, say, a Jolla or Ubuntu tablet that would run an Android toolchain.

ChromeOS is doing fine in the laptop/netbook form factor. Trying to unify the touch and pointing-device worlds is what made Microsoft late to the party.

Re: Google announces Android for Work

#16

Post by maratd »

api wrote: post #9

So we're all going to code, write, etc. on four inch screens? Seriously why hasn't someone made a smart phone that "transforms" into a larger screen form factor when connected to a monitor? I could see Android phones doing this. I could never imagine iOS doing it-- Apple would never cannibalize Mac like that, and iOS is too jailed for anything "real." Of course apps would have to support it. But those that didn't cou…

> Seriously why hasn't someone made a smart phone that "transforms" into a larger screen form factor when connected to a monitor?

It has been done repeatedly. Motorola and Ubuntu come to mind. Both were failures.

I don't want my phone to turn into a desktop. Desktops are all about muscle, massive storage, gigabit connections, etc. Phones are about saving battery life.

Re: Google announces Android for Work

#18

Post by josteink »

viccuad wrote: post #7

I tried to find any info about license or repos and couldn't find anything. Unlike Samsung's Knox, which is FOSS, how can this be even remotely secure if it is closed source? Seems that Google is full on the "Extinguish" phase with Android. edit: amazing that I'm being downvoted for stating facts yet nobody replies to me.

The fact of the matter, is that Google usually publishes their source. They're just a bit slow at it. Most versions of android ship in binary form before source is released.

Re: Google announces Android for Work

#19

Post by pasbesoin »

I suggest that anyone considering sharing a personal device with work activity (other than basic phone calls and messaging, e.g. "I'll be in late") think twice.

Comes a security concern or conflict, someone's probably going to want access to the whole thing.

If you want me to do "your work" on a phone -- particularly as an employee as opposed to as an independent contractor utilizing their own resources as defined in the contract -- then give me a phone. A hassle, but on the other hand some protection, in exchange for a few additional ounces (phone weight) of prevention, as it were.

Just like I don't want to use my own computer to host their work/data. Nope. When the relationship ends, I turn in their equipment and there is no question as to whether all relevant data has been expunged. They have the entire device.

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