Google is about the only competitor that threatens Apple in the tablet industry, but somehow the company making the iPad just isn’t feeling that frightened. After all, despite having a number of great hardware options from various manufacturers, current Google tablets simply aren’t thriving; for example, over 15% of all Galaxy Tab purchases in January saw the devices returned. Of course, there’s another explanation for the current stasis of this Google product lineup: Users are waiting for the Honeycomb tablets and their various added features, including improved security through data encryption.
Honeycomb is the OS 3.0 for Android, and is designed specifically for the tablet environment. User reviews thus far have been moderately glowing, stating that the Honeycomb devices are “just as good as the iPad.” This would be less advantageous if it wasn’t for the lower prices of Google tablets, and more advantageous if it wasn’t for the pending iPad 2 release.
However the Honeycomb platform stacks up with Apple’s dominant device, there are definite upgrades from previous tablet versions. One of the most important for security-conscious or professional users is the data encryption built into the tablet. This is a feature that can be turned on or off (it is a lengthy process, taking an hour and sometimes more), much like other security precautions, like protecting tablet access via password. According to sources, encryption will extend to accounts, settings, downloads, media, and more. Little is known beyond that, and potential users are still concerned about potential drains on system resources and battery life when using the feature.
The new security will certainly be important for some users, especially those who are using Google tablets for business. Since the professional tablet use thus far has been almost entirely in the iPad’s territory, the move is important for Google’s tablet presence.
