14 DAY TRIAL // In order to differentiate its Android tablets from all others, Sharp has decided to pre-load them with security software, even though it isn't actually doing it for free, regardless of what it says.
Sharp is one of the many providers of Android tablets, which means that it needs some means of making its products stand out.
According to a new press release, the latest such means is a security suite developed by McAfee.
To be more specific, McAfee Mobile Security will be installed on all Android slates from now on, or most of them anyway.
The announcement says the feature is free of charge, and it is true, but not really: users will have only a free trial of 30 days, after which they will have to pay for a one-year subscription that's 2,980 yen, or 24.10 dollars / 18.10 Euro, excluding tax.
“McAfee has worked successfully with Sharp in the past to provide McAfee Mobile Security to users of the Sharp GALAPAGOS tablet,” said Jean-Claude Broido, president of McAfee Japan.
“By providing our mobile security protection pre-installed on a learning device designed for the education market, we will be able to provide a safer mobile computing environment to a wider range of users.”
Regarding Sharp's tablet portfolio, the press release specifically mentions the ones intended for students, with anti-glare LCDs and pen support.
They will start shipping this month, which might mean April, even though the announcement was made on March 29.
It bears noting there are very few viruses and malicious software targeting Android compared to how many malicious programs attack Windows PCs each year.
Nevertheless, they still exist, and McAfee's Mobile Security suite has other functions beyond providing defense against them. Owners of Sharp tablets will be able to avoid risky sites (SiteAdvisor), back up and restore their data and even remotely lock and wipe the device, should it be stolen or lost.