Issue link: https://epubs.iltanet.org/i/58400
www.iltanet.org "In the technology arena, there is always something better around the corner." FIPS compliant). A word of caution with Samsung's FIPS-compliant devices: If encryption is enabled and enforced, you must use a minimum six-digit password with letters, numbers and symbols at startup and with every screen unlock. OS Version: Android versions are identified by both their version number and internal codename. Each major update to the Android OS has an internal codename that follows the letters of the alphabet in successive iterations and is named after a sweet treat. Before the release of the current Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich), which unified the operating systems, the Android-based phones and tablets each had their own Android version. Phones used Android 2.3.x (Gingerbread), while tablets used Android 3.x (Honeycomb). Android 4.0 was released late last year, and manufacturers have announced which of their current devices will be upgradable to this new version. Because Google has improved the core functionality of the OS to reduce fragmentation of the market, any phone that you are considering should either be running Android 4.0 or have confirmation from the manufacturer that the device is upgradable to version 4.0. 3G or 4G: While 4G LTE is the future of the industry and offers amazing speeds, battery drain currently limits adoption to those who specifically need the performance and have a charger handy throughout the day. Until the late-2012 release of the next-generation 4G LTE chips, which will reduce power consumption, stay with a traditional 3G device (or regular 4G if you have sufficient 20 ILTA White Paper coverage in your area, as poor 4G coverage will increase battery drain). Should I Wait? In the technology arena, there is always something better around the corner. With Android devices, the decision to wait is primarily driven by upcoming technologies that improve battery life. These include: • Quad-Core Processors: Current dual-core processors are faster than their single-core predecessors, and they reduce battery consumption. Quad-core devices are due for release in the last half of this year, and they will further extend this trend. • New LTE Chips: The next-generation LTE silicon will improve battery life. This technology will be available in the second half of this year. Also coming soon and showcased in the Galaxy Nexus are larger displays with greater pixel densities. While this improves the experience when gaming or viewing high- definition video, the downside is increased battery drain and a larger form factor. Decide if these two features are important in day-to-day use. If so, a tablet could be a better platform for these needs.