Google's Tablet-Centric New Android OS Brings Encryption to Enterprise IT, But Will Companies Adopt Honeycomb over Apple iOS?

Shortly after Google announced its tablet-centric Android 3.0 (aka Honeycomb) OS yesterday, one of the tech blogs stumbled on an unannounced feature that could pique the interest of enterprise IT: encryption.

As Engadget reports, the demo Motorola Xoom tablet showed off the potential of a dual-core, multi-touch handheld running Honeycomb. And in their exploration of the device, the tech blog saw an option to encrypt the tablet's data. They didn't get any more information as to the type of encryption Google's mobile OS uses, but did learn part of the API will allow administrators to enforce policy restrictions, as well.

These options - encryption and policy restrictions - could entice enterprise IT to explore Android as a possible alternative to Apple's iPad as more and more managers and executives start incorporating tablets into their daily lives. Of course, the iPad has an almost full year's head start in the tablet space and a bevy of financial software vendors already investing heavily into developing iOS-specific software.