Not all Androids are constructed the identical. Google’s Pixel sequence of smartphones offers a clear expertise, although Samsung’s telephones embrace some business-focused options.
5 finest password managers for Android
If you are in search of a password supervisor to your Android gadget, Jack Wallen provides his checklist of what he considers to be one of the best 5 in the marketplace.
Though the overwhelming majority of options in Android are widespread to all Android gadgets, there are a choose few optimizations and options carried out by particular distributors, touted as “exclusive features” to distinguish sure flagship merchandise from the remainder of the pack. Consumer-facing options are usually not straight consultant of how professionals use telephones, nevertheless. Google’s Pixel sequence and Samsung’s Galaxy Note sequence are widespread choices for enterprise customers as a result of inclusion of a number of {hardware} and security measures. Here, TechRepublic compares the 2 that will help you determine what’s finest for you. The enterprise case for the Google Pixel sequence Google’s Pixel line of telephones represents their premium substitute for the Nexus sequence, which showcased the manufacturing capabilities of varied Android gadget makers, together with HTC, Samsung, LG, ASUS, Motorola, and Huawei. Unlike the Nexus sequence, Pixel telephones are usually not co-branded gadgets, although they’re designed by former HTC workers by means of Google’s 2017 acquisition of a part of the once-giant Taiwanese agency. Primarily, the unique options on Pixel gadgets are restricted to hardware-specific functionality–as Google is the platform proprietor of Android, limiting performance to their very own telephones to the detriment of third-party Android OEMs is unlikely to make Google’s Android licensees (or authorities regulators) comfortable. The Pixel sequence is famend for high-quality cameras, although this offers restricted sensible profit for many enterprise use circumstances. Insurance adjusters are more likely to discover it helpful for taking fast pictures of injury whereas within the subject, likewise, non-public investigators will probably discover the Google Lens function useful.
SEE: Special report: How 5G will remodel enterprise (free PDF) (TechRepublic)
The Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL, like all Pixel gadgets, are a part of Google’s Android Enterprise Partners initiative, permitting for enterprise deployment with QR codes and zero-touch enrollment. All of the Android Enterprise labeled telephones have assured safety updates (inside 90 days) for 3 years, and at the least one main model improve in that point as properly. The Pixel 4 and 4 XL go a number of steps additional, guaranteeing month-to-month safety updates and model updates for 3 years, ending in October 2022. Practically talking, that is essentially the most beneficiant and well timed replace assure for any Android telephone. Google added a 90Hz OLED show panel to the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL, providing higher efficiency and aesthetics than the shows used on the Pixel 3–the beneficiant display cutout of the Pixel 3 XL was eradicated with the Pixel 4 XL, with each telephones utilizing conventional bezels to deal with cameras and sensors. The Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL additionally embrace on-device voice recognition, enhancing efficiency of Google Assistant. Google can be together with a voice recorder app which makes use of the know-how, providing searchable transcriptions of recorded conversations. The Pixel 4 and 4 XL provide a considerably higher worth for cash, beginning at $799 and $899, respectively, with the Pixel 3 and 3 XL now accessible beginning at $499 and $599, respectively. The budget-focused Pixel 3a and 3a XL can be found for $399 and $479. The enterprise case for the Samsung Galaxy sequence The flagship Samsung Galaxy S and Galaxy Note sequence telephones are one of the best fashions that the Korean electronics big has to supply, although Samsung gadgets nonetheless undergo from an inexplicably poor consumer interface. The One UI receives basically similar criticism across the blogosphere because the TouchWiz and Samsung Experience earlier than it, as the brand new UI retains the identical usability points, and telephones retain pointless function duplication, as prior generations. SEE: Samsung Galaxy S10: An insider’s information (free PDF) (TechRepublic) Samsung does have the Samsung Knox enterprise safety function, nevertheless. Knox is used to separate enterprise and private knowledge on Samsung telephones, stopping the necessity for customers to hold two gadgets with them. This is essentially a function that’s accessible in Android Enterprise on Pixel and different smartphones, although Samsung’s implementation of the idea is likely one of the few function duplications that has a vocal following. Likewise, Samsung DeX is a function that enables customers to increase their Galaxy smartphones to an exterior monitor. When paired with a keyboard and mouse, DeX-compatible telephones can be utilized as a desktop laptop. While different distributors equivalent to ASUS and Motorola have tried this modality prior to now, Samsung DeX is extensively thought to be one of the best implementation of this smartphone-to-desktop transformation. DeX may also be used to run Linux distributions from the telephone itself. The
Galaxy Note 10
sequence is aggressively positioned as a telephone for professionals, contemplating Samsung’s partnership with Microsoft, given the preload bundle of Office apps, and the power to export handwritten notes within the Samsung Notes app to Microsoft Word as a marquee function of the brand new telephones. Variants of the
Galaxy Note 10 Plus with 5G help
can be found within the US from Verizon, with help for AT&T and T-Mobile to observe. The verdict Both Samsung and Google have seen decrease than anticipated telephone gross sales, based on their Q1 earnings, as competitors from mid-market telephones have made the rising worth of the premium flagships a comparatively troublesome sale. Google’s Pixel 3a & 3a XL are more likely to assist in that regard. Samsung’s mid-range Galaxy smartphones do promote, although are sometimes vague from one another contemplating the amount of various fashions (typically carrier-locked) which might be launched. Google’s management of Android does put the corporate in place to supply an extended lifespan of model and safety updates, although Samsung’s Knox and DeX are worthwhile options. DeX will not be as helpful if you could carry round a keyboard and mouse, although this does make for one much less factor to hold round for enterprise customers in airports. Additionally, the vanity does depend on the prospect of gaining access to a spare monitor. It works for hotdesking environments, although “fear of the unknown” is more likely to preserve many enterprise customers tied to their laptops. Overall, the Pixel sequence is a straightforward selection for builders and security-minded professionals needing essentially the most up-to-date software program, whereas the Galaxy sequence is properly suited for many who need one gadget to do every thing.
Mobile Enterprise Newsletter
BYOD, wearables, IoT, cell safety, distant help, and the newest telephones, tablets, and apps IT execs have to find out about are among the subjects we’ll deal with.
Delivered Tuesdays and Fridays
Sign up right now
Sign up right now
Also see
Image: CNET