Android Approved By Pentagon

sfcrazy writes "The Pentagon has approved a version of Android running on Dell hardware to be used by DoD officials, along with the BlackBerry. The approval of Android by the DoD is a major setback for Apple's iPhone. This doesn't mean that DoD employees can use any Android phone. The Pentagon has approved only Dell's hardware running Android 2.2. Interestingly Dell recently discontinued its Streak phone which runs Android 2.2. Dell is now offering Dell Venue which runs on Android 2.2. So, this is the phone which DoD employees can use."

Comments

Given the DoD's ongoing love affair with Windows

[Daniel Dvorkin]

... I have a hard time believing the open-source-ness of Android played any real part in the decision, no matter what TFA says. Someone at Dell made the right deal with the right people at the Pentagon.

iOS Devices Already In Use

[Anonymous Coward]

Actually, DOD employees have been allowed to use iOS devices since November with approval of their CIOs, and the same 'blanket' approval which Android 2.2 just received is forthcoming. So much FUD....

Re:iOS Devices Already In Use

[girlintraining]

Wanna play a game of thermonuclear warfare? There's an app for that.

Misleading headline; Why?

[bogaboga]

This doesn't mean that DoD employees can use any Android phone. The Pentagon has approved only Dell's hardware running Android 2.2.

How about a headline that goes:

Dell scores one with Android

More accurate, right?

Re:Misleading headline; Why?

[aplusjimages]

I was thinking:
Uncle Sam Hates Steve Jobs
That'll get more reads

Carrier IQ

[farnsworth]

I've always wondered how the military et al cope with things like Carrier IQ. Do they get special builds of iOS and Android that exclude it? How do they keep top secret data from leaking out to third parties?

Re:Carrier IQ

[Anonymous Coward]

They're the ones writing things like Carrier IQ.

Re:Carrier IQ

[viperidaenz]

Its my understanding you don't need a "special build" of Android to not get Carrier IQ. You need a "special build" to get it - like those created by/for the carriers

iOS approved already

[Dupple]

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/steelcloud-announces-new-dod-platforms-for-securing-good-technology-and-apple-ios-128885828.html ASHBURN, Va., Sept. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ ---- SteelCloud, Inc. (OTCQB: SCLD.PK), a leading developer of mobility appliance and VMware® solutions today announced the release of MobileWorks, its newest mobile appliance developed for the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). In conjunction with the recent approval of the use of Apple® iOS devices within the DoD, SteelCloud is pleased to offer the immediate availability of MobileWorks DE for the STIG and security configuration guidance compliant platform deployment of the Good For Government mobile security suite.

Also Windows is just as open to them

[Sycraft-fu]

The idea that Windows' source code is some massive secret is rather funny. It is closed source, but it is no secret. Not only do governments have it (which they require if it is to be used for anything classified) but universities do too. MS licenses it to various universities with some conditions. Students can see it and mess with it, but not copy it and that kind of thing.

Any OS the DoD is going to use, they'll have the code for. So to them Windows and Android are no different in that regard.

Re:No goodies for the DoD

[Hadlock]

After 4 days with ICS on my Nexus S, I am seriously considering downgrading. The only end-user changes are almost completely cosmetic, and app/widget support for ICS is poor at best for many things I use on a daily basis.