UPDATED 12:10 EDT / APRIL 08 2011

Android Updates Security for Enterprise, Google Kills Gizmo 5

Google is working hard towards updating its mobile offerings, especially for Android users, and this is evident from the latest updates for the enterprise world. The search giant has updated its security offerings and collaboration services for Android users, as reported by it on its official blog. This is especially important for mobile professionals, and brings Android on par with Apple iOS mobile security offerings. Here are the three new products offered by Google as a part of this update.

1. New version of Google Apps Device Policy, and the very new My Devices website that will help employees secure their stolen or lost Android 2.2 + device even from a remote location by locating it on a map, ringing the device, and resetting the device PIN.

2. The existing option, “Encrypt data on Device” will now include encrypted storage on Android 3.0 tablets. It will require version 2.0 of the Google Apps Device Policy app.

3. Google Apps Lookup, which is a new corporate contacts app has been launched that will make it easier to find and contact people. It pulls the information from the Google Apps directory and will require enable “Shared Contacts” in the control panel before employees can use Lookup on their Android 2.1+ devices.

Additionally, we have been watching several other developments from Google including its preparation for music services. And in the meantime, Google removed Grooveshark’s music app from the Android Market, after EMI, Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group accused the service as operating illegally. Just to recall, this app was earlier removed from Apple Store after having received copyright infringement accusation from the same music companies. So, Google started playing for high stakes as the company wants to launch its own streaming music service and has also started the testing for the same.

Incidentally, we got an early look of Android 3.0 Music app that accidentally revealed Google cloud- based MP3 service. While this service isn’t live let—this is an accidental leak, after all, and it’s barely alpha or even beta—but it shows that Google sees streaming music as the next big step.

Recently, we also heard Google discontinuing Gizmo5 from April 3, 2011 While Gizmo5 was a one of the biggest VoIP services out there, probably behind Vonage. Acquired by Googlein November 2009, it is a major lost opportunity for the company. It was acquired by Google for around $30 million in an all cash deal but they never fully rolled in the technology into Google Voice. And they also clearly didn’t want the users – so they paid for mostly nothing. On a final note, it’s about Sprint getting full Google voice integration, but the service is available in U.S. only.


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