Virtualization for computers is nothing new, but how would you like to do something similar on your phone?  LG and VMware are coming together to do just that with Android, and possibly other OSes. beginning next year.  The idea is that corporate users will be able to have an app on their phones that will launch a virtualized environment containing everything they'd need for work that will be completely separate from their personal data.  Everything in the work portion of the phone would be completely secure and controllable by the company and the employee only has to carry around their personal device, cutting down on costs and the hassle of having to carry around two phones or tossing out one phone in favor of the corporation's handset.  Expect to see this virtualization software on LG smartphones beginning next year.  In the mean time, check out the press release and video demo below.

If everything works smoothly when it's released for public use, LG and VMware's virtualization could be a big hit with corporations and their employees alike.  It would probably be a good idea for them to get a similar idea together for platforms other than Android, like Windows Phone 7.  iOS would be a good candidate for this type of software, but that might be a little more difficult to pull off.  With how popular iOS is becoming in the enterprise, though, it'd be worth a shot.  Is this form of virtualization something you'd like to see on your phone, or would you prefer a bit more separation between work and play?

LG AND VMWARE JOIN FORCES TO ACCELERATE ENTERPRISE ADOPTION OF EMPLOYEE-OWNED SMARTPHONES

Partnership Targets New Methods for Businesses to Manage Employee-Owned Mobile Devices

SEOUL and PALO ALTO, Calif., Dec. 7, 2010 – LG Electronics (LG) and VMware, Inc. (NYSE: VMW), today announced a partnership to help enterprises of all sizes improve security and control of sensitive corporate data while enabling more flexible access via employee-owned mobile devices.

Using end user computing technology from VMware, LG is aiming to increase its footprint in the enterprise sector while providing more options for both consumer and business customers. This new technology will enable users to adopt the mobile device of their choice, while allowing corporate IT departments to manage sensitive data on those devices with enterprise-level security and compliance.

Initial efforts include enabling LG smartphones to securely run a work account in isolation from a user's personal account on a single mobile device. With this feature, LG mobile users will be able to safely carry a single device for both personal and work use. Solutions using mobile virtualization technology from VMware are expected to be available on LG smartphones in 2011.

"The enterprise and SMB markets are key areas of focus for LG," said Ki S. Kim, Vice President of Global Enterprise Solutions at LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. "Our partnership with VMware is part of LG's global strategy to develop smart mobile devices for businesses. Enterprise IT organizations are looking for a way to embrace the growing trend of employee-owned mobile devices at work, while still maintaining control over their corporate data. VMware's industry leadership provides a platform for LG to extend its presence in enterprises and deliver compelling solutions that address the challenges raised by the convergence of IT and mobile communications."

Enterprises Embrace Employee Owned Mobile Devices
More than ever, organizations are dealing with two fundamental client-computing pain points – providing secure data access to an increasing number of mobile users, and managing the burgeoning diversity of data, applications and client devices within the enterprise. Establishing a new end user computing model to address these points is a fundamental component the VMware "IT as a Service" vision.

"As workforces become more mobile, our customers increasingly view today's new breed of mobile devices as mission critical tools for their business," said Dr. Stephen Herrod, CTO and senior vice president of R&D, VMware. "The reality is that today's employee-owned mobile devices are often more advanced than corporate offerings. As a result, the agile enterprise is looking to embrace new end user computing models that allow users to work on the devices they love. We are excited to work with LG to develop mobile solutions that address the end user desire for affinity and the enterprise desire for manageability, security and control."

"Smartphones are driving demand for an enhanced mobile experience as business- specific devices lose appeal and employees look to use their personal devices at work," said Stacy Crook, senior analyst for IDC's Mobile Enterprise research programs. "For the business market, the individual-liable, employee-owned model is here to stay. Savvy companies will embrace the trend and procure the necessary means to ensure that all devices with sensitive information are managed properly."

Humphrey Chen, executive director of New Technologies, Verizon Wireless added, "We're seeing interest from Verizon Wireless customers in the area of mobile personas, which allow a personal mobile phone to be leveraged in a professional setting in a secure way that is IT-approved. The kind of virtualization VMware offers helps to make this happen, and we're evaluating ways to help our customers achieve this.

Via Engadget