Tablet use and lock-down questions

[xxeper]

I'm looking to deploy several tablets [in the dozens, later possibly in the hundreds] for my company.

I need some info on a few things, if anyone can help. If not, I'd like to know if there's company rep contact info for Moto or HTC or one of the other manufacturers for someone who could assists.

I'd like to know:

A) Can android tablets [2.x and/or 3.x] be "locked-down", ie disallow installation of applications, disallow use of applications, redirect browser through a proxy or black-list/white-lise use?

B) How soon will Xoom have Flash and is it still a requirement that you get one month of 3G before WiFi is unlocked? When will the WiFi-only model come out?

C) Any other Honeycomb tablets coming out this month or next?

Any help or info is greatly appreciated.

 

[shalemail]

No idea about most of those questions but I can say that SAMS club I believe will have wifi only ZOOM's in the $450 range in the next couple weeks.

 

[operant]

Xoom is coming out in a wifi only model very soon so no, cell service won't be required.

As far as other tablets with honeycomb, there is a pretty big list including the gslate, galaxy tab, etc. There are a few lists online that should show you all of them - some are rumors and some have release dates tagged to them.

Xoom will have flash very very soon, last rumor I heard was that the release candidate is currently being tested.

As far as locking the device down, you can through a slightly different package. There are applications like mobile nanny (among others) where you can choose what is accessible and what is locked down, what requires a password, etc. For locking down the browser, seeing as you want a wifi only model, it will work the same as a pc - where on order to access wifi you have to have a password, etc. I am not as well versed in this area but the proxy for the browser and such will be done on pcs and the same page for browsing like at the office will work the same on the Xoom.

If you would like for me to elaborate on specific points or list the software (I can find it but I'm not sure if you want to root, what type of protection you want, etc) just let me know.

 

[mobilityguy]

I have found it difficult to lockdown devices in the Enterprise. I was lucky to find a comany called Carrot App that has a product called App Protector. This is a good prroduct for the Enterprise where it allows you to select what application can be shown to the user. There is an override to allow for the full use of the tablet for administrators. The product is very inexpensive an has shown to be very valuable.