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Android Approved By Pentagon

Posted by samzenpus on from the getting-the-greenlight dept.

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."

7 of 160 comments (clear)

  1. Given the DoD's ongoing love affair with Windows by Daniel+Dvorkin · · Score: 5, Insightful

    ... 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.

    --
    The correlation between ignorance of statistics and using "correlation is not causation" as an argument is close to 1.
  2. iOS Devices Already In Use by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Informative

    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....

  3. Misleading headline; Why? by bogaboga · · Score: 4, Interesting

    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?

  4. iOS approved already by Dupple · · Score: 5, Informative

    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.

    --
    Watch those corners
  5. Re:Carrier IQ by viperidaenz · · Score: 4, Informative

    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

  6. Also Windows is just as open to them by Sycraft-fu · · Score: 5, Insightful

    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.

  7. Re:No goodies for the DoD by Hadlock · · Score: 4, Interesting

    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.

    --
    moox. for a new generation.