Sure Google Glass has some problems in functionality and design, but that’s today. Instead of simply writing off this technology I would like to play an optimistic game of “what if” to imagine what Google Glass could be.

When new smartphones and tablets hit the market, we are curious to learn what new features they bring to the table. In general, what makes an iPhone different from an Android phone or tablet is what makes each great in its own way. Adjustments to size, speed, and user interface can work in different users' favor depending on their lifestyle habits or more recently, their profession.

In round one, we broke the two tablets out of their boxes and shared our initial impressions. In round two, our contenders showed us what they were made of as we cross-compared their tech specs. In round three, you learned what it would be like to use each of these tablets at home or the workplace. Now for the round you came to see: IT management capabilities! (if you haven't already, I highly recommend you watch a recording of the event here)

This Fall we have seen a couple of new announcements in the smartphone market – iOS 5, iPhone 4S, Motorola Droid Razr, Samsung Galaxy Nexus and now Windows Phone 7.5.  Microsoft Windows Phone 7.5, an update to Windows Phone 7, addresses the major shortcomings of its predecessor and is fast becoming a popular alternative to many iOS and Android devices.

Just five years ago, probably even two, it was more than likely that the mobile phone you had for work was a BlackBerry smartphone from Research In Motion.

Security practitioners like me shy away from absolutes. That being said, I do not have a problem drawing some comparisons across the leading mobile device platforms, specifically Symbian, BlackBerry, iOS, Windows Mobile 7 and Android.

I had the privilege last week of hosting a webinar with Andrew Borg from Aberdeen Research. In the webinar, Andrew presented findings published in their recently released research report Enterprise Mobility Management 2011: Mobility Becomes Core IT. You can view the webinar here or download the full Aberdeen research report here. As Andrew and I prepared for the webinar early last week we had some animated conversations regarding a few of the more surprising findings from the webinar. I thought I would share one here.

Number 5: You will see an influx of both the original iPad and iPad 2 in your environment.  With the announcement of the iPad 2, previously owned or discounted original iPads will be available and more affordable for employees, while typical early adopters and Apple fans in your organization will continue to lead the path and bring this newest tablet into the fold.

As part of the team at Fiberlink building and marketing the leading Cloud based, on-demand MaaS360 Mobile Device Management solution, I have talked to countless customers, analysts and peers regarding Mobile Device Management.

All indications are that Smartphones with Google’s Android-based Mobile Operating Systems are winning the market share battle and are poised to be the overall market leader in a few short months. For any individuals responsible for provisioning, configuring, securing and supporting mobile devices, this trend, coupled with the very strong desire of information workers to use personal devices for work, should be very troubling. The decision to approve the use of Android devices for access to corporate email and collaboration applications is not to be taken lightly.