While the troops are coming home, or mostly have come home from Iraq, a large presence of U.S. soldiers still remains in the field around the world. The time in Iraq and Afghanistan no doubt made it clear to military planners as to what technology worked and more importantly what likely needed improvement.
Last week The Army Times reported “Army expects to field smartphones next year,” and this will include Army-issued handsets. According to the story these will include a secure version of the Android operating system, which will get certification from the National Security Agency. Additionally, the iPhone and iPad iOS is being considered as another option.
The phones won’t just be for calling, or texting loved ones back home either, but could be used to connect to what the report calls a “secret-level mission-command computer system.” The prototype device is reportedly a 7-inch device that is halfway between a tablet and a phone, and can fit “nicely into cargo pockets, even in a rugged case.”
From the sounds of it this could be a device that could stand up to the rigors of frontline combat. It is an interesting twist since many devices, including GPS, have been developed for the soldiers and then made their way to civilian uses. But hopefully this will be another swords to plowshares tale – possibly inspiring more rugged handsets for consumers!
[Via Army Times: Army expects to field smartphones next year]