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US Military Issuing iPod Touches To Soldiers
644bd346996 writes "Newsweek has an article about the latest weapons in the US military's arsenal. The iPod Touch and the iPhone are being adapted as general purpose handhelds for soldiers in the field. 'Apple gadgets are proving to be surprisingly versatile. Software developers and the US Department of Defense are developing military software for iPods that enables soldiers to display aerial video from drones and have teleconferences with intelligence agents halfway across the globe. Snipers in Iraq and Afghanistan now use a "ballistics calculator" called BulletFlight, made by the Florida firm Knight's Armament for the iPod Touch and iPhone. Army researchers are developing applications to turn an iPod into a remote control for a bomb-disposal robot (tilting the iPod steers the robot). In Sudan, American military observers are using iPods to learn the appropriate etiquette for interacting with tribal leaders.'"
I doubt it. More likely that (a) they're using Ad-hoc distribution and paying an appropriate
Ad hoc distribution? That will work fine! After all, the US army only has 100 soliders, so that will work fine with the ad hoc 100 user limit...oh wait.
they're using unlocked phones (which aren't "special"--you can buy unlocked phones from Apple for $600).
*rolls eyes* I don't mean sim-locked, I mean Apple's-distribution-channel-locked.
We're talking about iPod touches and iPhones here remember - Touches don't have sim cards.
There are shills on slashdot. Apparently, I'm one of them.
Actually, I'd bet that Apple are providing the military with special phones that are locked to an "Apps Depot"
Bingo. That's got to be it. Apple aren't exactly publicing this tho' are they? Guess it won't go down to well with the Gandhi loving, prius driving, latte sipping, Bush hating segment of their user base.
There are shills on slashdot. Apparently, I'm one of them.
Next time do a little research before getting sarcastic.
This is Slashdot m'boy. Not the sort of forum for your 'research' and 'facts'.
There are shills on slashdot. Apparently, I'm one of them.
I don't see anything* that could go wrong with this.
*
1. Needing to wear gloves at any point at all.
2. Dust.
3. Rain.
4. Needing reliable input at all, rather than the inherent imprecision of touchscreen + accelerometer.
5. Needing to actually look professional, or needing to pass yourself off as an actual member of the military.
No, this is ... iSucks are always a good idea.
At first when I read the title in Thunderbird I rolled my eyes rather cynically, but it appears they have genuine functionality to help the troops on the ground. That being the case, why not give em iPhones and iPods? As a Linux user and FOSS advocate I'd rather it wasn't a closed platform but it may well be the best option so again, why not? Anything which can potentially help communicating with the locals is a potential peacemaker, which saves lives on all sides.
The cynical part of me wonders if it's partly a sweetener to quell the anger of the troops not being properly equipped with stuff they need to keep them alive. No body armor for the APCs but here's an iPod. The US funding issue may well be different from the UK, where it's certainly an issue.
Fuck Gandhi. Duder killed his wife. Penicillin would have likely saved her but he pulled the ol' "she's in God's hands" bitch maneuver. Then when illness came for him, he was on the meds like a dope fiend.
New in the Apps store - iTorture, for the intelligence operative who can't be bothered with blood on their hands.
Take control of a bamboo sliver weilding iRobot with your iPod, and paint the town red.
Using the iRobot's arm as your extended hand, let all know the respect you give them as they reveal secrets for all.
up your ass
For lack of a better signature...