Sprint has announced a new “managed mobility” package that will allow companies to track and monitor large groups of wireless devices, including the ability to upgrade software remotely over the network. Even more useful is the ability to remotely lock down lost or stolen devices, preventing access to sensitive information that might be stored inside. While that’s certainly a little frightening from a big brother perspective, it would also be imminently useful to IT departments who have no easy way to lock down data that might be stored on a smartphone or wireless device. If companies are going to be purchasing fleets of phones from a carrier (with pooled minutes, no less), it only makes sense they should reserve the right to control them as they see fit. Just make sure you get all your long distance calling done before you get fired.
