Dec. 10, 2009

 

MobileIron, a start-up in device management, this week introduced its Virtual Smartphone Platform 2.0. The new version adds features for end-users and bolsters security.

 

New features on the usability front include a threaded, searchable history of mobile communications, a "social graph" of contacts, usage indicators, and find-me location and mapping services. "This is fundamentally an end user driven phenomenon like IT rarely sees... HR is actually showing up in some of our meetings with customers," CEO Bob Tinker noted.

 

There's also a new feature called Event Center which tracks security and quality issues. This can be mapped to IT policies, CEO Bob Tinker explained.

 

As with other mobile device management companies, MobileIron is also now offering an application store. Application stores are too often aligned with specific operating systems or devices, so MobileIron designed its own version to accept third-party software, Tinker said.

 

That doesn't mean MobileIron is shying away from custom versions; the company will support Google's Android software in the first quarter of next year.

The company also plans to introduce new features that reduce customer cost next year.  Details are not yet being disclosed.