Android out to conquer businesses with start-up Divide

SAN FRANCISCO, US: Google on Monday confirmed that it has bought a start-up specialising in helping employees using their personal smartphones or tablets securely for work.

(Image: Sunnya343, via Wikimedia Commons)

Divide announced at its website that it has been bought by the Internet titan, but neither company disclosed financial terms of the deal.

Divide said that it will be part of the team devoted to Android software that Google makes available free to mobile gadget makers.

Divide combines technology in mobile devices and in the Internet "cloud" to help companies protect systems and data as workers use mobile devices on the job as part of what is referred to as bring-your-own-device (BYOD) lifestyles.

"Divide launched with the belief that BYOD was going to dramatically alter the IT landscape and usher in a new wave of mobility," the company said at its website.

"Divide is dedicated to promoting a balance between security for IT and privacy for end users."

The acquisition comes as modern lives increasingly involve connecting to the Internet while on the move, and workers use their smartphones or tablets to take care of business.