Google Inc. is adding more devices to its Android Enterprise Recommended program, which establishes a set of best practices for smartphone makers that want to market those devices to business users.

The company launched Android Enterprise Recommended back in February, detailing several common requirements for smartphone devices and services that are backed by a rigorous testing process carried out by Google itself.

At the time, it said the program would help organizations to choose suitable devices for their employees to use, safe in the knowledge that these would receive timely security updates and at least one major operating system upgrade and be compatible with zero-touch enrollment.

The program kicked off with a bunch of compatible devices from seven original design manufacturers, including Sony Corp., Huawei Technologies Ltd., LG Electronics Inc. and BlackBerry Ltd. Now, Google is adding more devices and original equipment manufacturers to the list, including its first recommended tablets.

The tablet devices in question are Huawei’s M5 8.4 and M5 10.8, while the new OEMs include Japan’s Sharp Corp. with its AQUOS SH 10-K smartphone and Sonim Technologies Inc. with its rugged-design XP8. Other new devices supported by Android Enterprise Recommended include Sony’s Xperia XZ2 and XZ2 Compact; Motorola’s Moto G6, Moto G6 Plus and Z3 Play; Huawei’s P20 and P20 Pro; BlackBerry’s Key2; and the Nokia 3.1, Nokia 5.1, Nokia 6, Nokia 7 Plus and Nokia 8 Sirocco from HMD.

The additions mean the program now supports 39 devices from nine OEMs, though Samsung Electronics Ltd.’s devices remain a glaring omission given the popularity of its smartphones.

Google reckons the Android Enterprise Recommended program is of growing importance for customers, citing data from a recent customer survey that shows 75 percent of respondents say it will play a “key role” in their device purchasing decisions.

Google’s full list of requirements is available here.

Image: Google