Mobile Developments

Announcements this week uncovered a new outbreak of viruses aimed at Google Inc.’s Android platform and an exploit aimed at "jailbreaking" Apple Inc.'s iOS devices. Elsewhere, new research is showing Mac OS X is making inroads in the enterprise desktop space while Hewlett-Packard, Co. (HP) is hoping to find enterprise favor with its new tablet, the TouchPad.

Focal Points:

• Another round of malicious Android apps has been found in Google's Android Market. This is the third instance this year of malware based on the DroidDream virus, following outbreaks in both March and June. This occurrence affects users of the Chinese Android Market by invisibly launching itself to encourage users to navigate to a malicious URL or download more apps. Only 1,000 to 5,000 downloads of the malicious app have reportedly been downloaded. Another warning was issued regarding a security flaw which would allow an app to invisibly text a premium number and delete traces of carrier charge alerts. Recent surveys demonstrate that Android is the most popular smartphone operating system in the U.S., commanding 38 percent of the market up from 33 percent three months ago. Apple's iOS increased from 25.2 percent to 26.6 percent over the same period, while all other smartphone OSes lost ground. Versions of Microsoft Corp.'s Windows Mobile platform declined from 7.7 percent to 5.8 percent, of which Windows Phone 7 now accounts for only 1 percent of total smartphones in use. Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer admitted at last week’s Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference that sales of the platform are disappointing, having gone "from very small to… very small" in the year since its launch.
• Two unpatched vulnerabilities in Apple's current version, 4.3.3, of iOS have been exploited to allow users of iPads, iPhones, and iPod Touches to jailbreak their phones by visiting www.jailbreakme.com. One vulnerability exploits a font parsing code while the other one circumvents the address space layout randomization (ASLR), which was implemented to make it difficult for exploits to determine memory blocks for code execution. A patch to fix the font vulnerability called "PDF Patcher 2" has been posted in the jailbroken app store, Cydia. Apple has stated that it is developing its own fix for the vulnerabilities, which will be released via its approved channels. Despite whatever minor setbacks these vulnerabilities may pose, some new findings demonstrate that Mac OS X has benefited from the successes of the iPad and iPhone. A Global Equities Research analyst has said that about 35 percent of Fortune 500 companies are offering Macs as an enterprise option, and that iPad adoption and experiences are the primary drivers for IT to expand Mac usage beyond the Windows space.
• In an announcement that should come as little surprise to those with any knowledge of the tablet space, Canaccord Genuity declared that the iPad is the preferred tablet of Android users. The company cites numerous reasons for this phenomenon, including Apple's redefinition of the space in 2010 and the comparatively similar prices of competing devices including Research in Motion, Ltd.'s Playbook and Motorola Mobility, Inc.'s Xoom. HP is hoping to earn some of that market presence for itself with the release of its TouchPad tablet. Priced at $500, the company hopes its Wi-Fi touchpad will earn favor among its corporate user base by touting its "enterprise ready" capabilities including Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync. ActiveSync handles connectivity with its collaboration suite namesake, and includes key capabilities including password management and remote device wipe. On the heels of that HP announcement came word that former Palm leader Jonathan Rubenstein will no longer be leading the company's webOS charge, and that Stephen DeWitt has been moved into that role.

Experton Group believes Android and iOS continue to stake their claim in the mobile device space by putting significant distance between themselves and all comers. Recent news of Android and iOS security flaws are to be expected as no operating environment is impervious and that hackers will continue to dedicate their time to those systems in greatest use. IT executives should ensure that security management and enforcement software – whether devices are owned by the corporation or the employee –is deployed at both the network and device level.  New tablet devices, most notably those from RIM and HP, are each compelling in their own right; however, the lack of “must have” differences and killer applications makes iPad alternatives undesirable to those not in the anti-Apple camp. Honeycomb-based Android devices fall into the same category, though Google’s first tablet attempt is somewhat less polished than the others. IT executives should keep their eyes peeled for developments that increase the appeal of the tablet upstarts, but should not expect the landscape to change much this year or early 2012. HP's reassignment of Jon Rubenstein is of little surprise to industry insiders as the company aims to morph webOS into a variety of devices outside of phones, including tablets, PCs, and printers. The company has a lot riding on the success of the platform acquired last year, but it remains well behind the proverbial eight ball in regards to market acceptance and awareness.