by Cynthia Wright

While Android smartphones have become a popular technological device due to their affordability and functionality. Yet, one issue that hinders the Android marketplace is that fact that there is a significant lack of security within its operating system.

Unfortunately, their major competitor Apple figured that out relatively quickly when it came to releasing their iOS 4, cementing iPhone’s reign worldwide.

However, Android’s smartphone security is about to change. With Motorola Mobility acquiring 3LM, a startup developing security and management features that are similar to Research in Motion and Microsoft Windows mobile, it appears Android’s lack of device encryption will soon be a thing of the past. Other features 3LM may introduce to the Android will be complex passwords, password management policies, on-device encryption, and policy-based management on cameras. Things will possibly change even more now that Google is buying Mobile Mobility, acquiring 3LM in the process.

While 3LM plans to make its technology available, it won’t be a part of the standard Android OS. Instead, individual device makers will license the technology from 3LM, with no known fee. This new technology will add a new level of security fragmentation, where some devices will be able to be secured, while others won’t.

In an excerpt from InfoWorld:

3LM CEO Tom Moss says that most Android device makers have signed up to use the 3LM technology, so he figures that and market pressure will quickly make securable Android devices the norm.
“I think we’ve managed to offer a win-win for IT and consumers,” said Tom Moss, chief executive of 3LM.
3LM has been testing the software for the past few months, with a release date of late October. Since the company is a unit of Motorola, it had plenty of time to develop the software. At the same time, Motorola will get the same access to 3LM’s features like every other company that makes Android products.

Moss and his colleagues formed 3LM when they noticed that enterprises and government members didn’t use Android’s for official business. After being told that Android wasn’t trusted due to its lack of security, they set out to find a way to change how those sectors used the Android OS.

Cynthia Wright is an avid lover of all things geeky. When she isn’t freelancing, she can be found on her blog BGA Life and on Twitter at @cynisright.