PhoneGuard, a provider of mobile security services, today announced availability of its anti-virus software for Android smartphones. Partnering with China based NetQin Technology, PhoneGuard provides a defense against threats including viruses, spyware and malware that target mobile devices. The NetQin partnership provides PhoneGuard the ability offer mobile anti-virus as well as additional features including concierge service, back-up capabilities, safe and secure SMS texting, and a locator service.
Android, the mobile operating system from Google and released under open source license, is predicted by Gartner to become the world’s second most popular smartphone platform by 2012, behind Nokia’s Symbian, which is very popular outside the US.
PhoneGuard is priced on a subscription model at $4.00 per month. Previously only available to Windows and Symbian mobile users, PhoneGuard also plans to release its software for iPhone and Blackberry users later in 2010.