Google announced Wednesday that the company will be releasing a set of tools designed for employees and businesses for work on Android devices. According to a report by the Vancouver Sun, this will put Google up against BlackBerry and Microsoft, which have provided software and hardware for the corporate market for a long time; in addition, Google will go up against Apple, which has just made a partnership with IBM to build more apps aimed at serving government agencies and businesses.
Right now, Apple and Google control 96 percent of the smartphone market, but in most cases, those phones are used for personal use or checking work email only. The two companies are trying to move into the corporate market, with higher security and more business-oriented apps.
The Android for Work program was announced eight months ago, but has worked on the technology since then to get it ready for release. Tools include the ability for users to make separate professional and personal profiles on the same phone for people to avoid their bosses snooping into private lives. Google’s Play store will have a section especially for works apps.
