Android Approved By Pentagon For DoD Usage, Major Setback For iPhone - Polidicks

[quote]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.[/quote] Why Did The Pentagon Choose Android [quote]The reason was simple: open source. Starts & Stripes repots, “Android, developed by Google and other companies, is open source software meaning it can be easily configured by uses – including DOD tech whizzes who want to install security measures.” The Army is already doing widespread testing of prototype smartphone-like devices for use in combat, These devices could change the Army's tactics, reports Stars & Strips. iOS has not been approved probably due to Apple's tight control over the platform[/quote] Why Governments Enterprises Should Not Use iOS [quote]Using Apple's iPhone or iOS by government officials is a risk, especially when used by non-American officials. Apple tracks your movement through the built-in GPS chips. When the UK minister uses his/her iPad in the parliament, everything she puts on her iPad using the iTunes goes through Apple servers. If she is using iCloud all of her data is residing on Apple servers and Apple knows about everything that she does. So, it is a potential security risk for government officials to use Apple products as they are simply telling Apple everything they do. Android on the other hand doesn't have anything similar to iTunues which tracks and keeps record of your data. Since Android is open source it is far more secure and experts go through every line of the code to find if there are any holes and fix it immediately. There is no way of doing the same with iPhone/iPad. Apple is also slow at fixing security holds in its products leaving users vulnerable to attacks.[/quote] Source [url]http://www.muktware.com/news/3145/android-approved-pentagon-dod-usage-major-setback-iphone[/url]

Just imagine. Apple getting the balls to sue the DoD. Would be fucking hilarious if their lawyers were that lawsuit happy.

[QUOTE]The reason was simple: open source[/QUOTE] And that's the only reason you'd ever need. Some people are gonna call me a hypocrite for posting from a machine running win7, but I need my daily Skyrim and GTA EFLC fix :saddowns:

Android 2.2, do they really have to be outdated? :v:

I wonder if this will be a big blow to Apple in their war against everything not Apple

[QUOTE=mankind_me;33895284]Android 2.2, do they really have to be outdated? :v:[/QUOTE] I imagine that technology in the military takes a lot of time to handle because of bureaucracy.

[quote]they are simply telling Apple everything they do.[/quote] I liked that bit of the quote.

why is it a setback for the iPhone?

I've always wanted to play Day of Defeat on my android phone

[QUOTE=Nikota;33895295]I imagine that technology in the military takes a lot of time to handle because of bureaucracy.[/QUOTE] They are still using Windows XP I hear. Without any of the Service Packs.

Good, now they need to allow HTC to continue selling. :(

[QUOTE=Nikota;33895266]Just imagine. Apple getting the balls to sue the DoD. Would be fucking hilarious if their lawyers were that lawsuit happy.[/QUOTE] The DoD would probably be like... [img]http://s3.amazonaws.com/kym-assets/entries/icons/original/000/003/194/001.jpg?1279062308[/img] I hope they sue. It would be fun as all hell to see. [highlight](User was banned for this post ("Image Macro" - Terrenteller))[/highlight]

The open-source reason is either bullshit, or the guys at DoD are idiots. Android has so many closed parts, it's unbelievable. Radio interface, GPU drivers etc., all closed source, all parts of the operating system, meaning they can interface with other parts of the operating system. I can understand the argument if Dell's code is open-source/they gave the source to the DoD, but otherwise, nope.

[QUOTE=nikomo;33895460]The open-source reason is either bullshit, or the guys at DoD are idiots. Android has so many closed parts, it's unbelievable. Radio interface, GPU drivers etc., all closed source, all parts of the operating system, meaning they can interface with other parts of the operating system. I can understand the argument if Dell's code is open-source/they gave the source to the DoD, but otherwise, nope.[/QUOTE] correct me if I'm wrong, but you won't have anything to modify in those categories really and though, half-open source is better than none, that is if Apple wouldn't give the source code

[QUOTE=nikomo;33895460]The open-source reason is either bullshit, or the guys at DoD are idiots. Android has so many closed parts, it's unbelievable. Radio interface, GPU drivers etc., all closed source, all parts of the operating system, meaning they can interface with other parts of the operating system. I can understand the argument if Dell's code is open-source/they gave the source to the DoD, but otherwise, nope.[/QUOTE] [url]http://source.android.com/[/url] Basically the choose Android because they're more in control than with iOS. They're still gonna test all parts and aspects vigorously before deploying it, but with easy and open access to most parts of the OS for inspection and customization made Android the winner.

[QUOTE=nikomo;33895460]The open-source reason is either bullshit, or the guys at DoD are idiots. Android has so many closed parts, it's unbelievable. Radio interface, GPU drivers etc., all closed source, all parts of the operating system, meaning they can interface with other parts of the operating system. I can understand the argument if Dell's code is open-source/they gave the source to the DoD, but otherwise, nope.[/QUOTE] They can customise Android to their needs way, way, way more than any other phone OS

Even before entering I just knew the OP would be mass-rated winner. But hey - keep on hating while I enjoy my device I earned with my own money.

[QUOTE=Van-man;33895276]And that's the only reason you'd ever need. Some people are gonna call me a hypocrite for posting from a machine running win7, but I need my daily Skyrim and GTA EFLC fix :saddowns:[/QUOTE] Open source can be an amazing thing really.

[QUOTE=nikomo;33895460]The open-source reason is either bullshit, or the guys at DoD are idiots. Android has so many closed parts, it's unbelievable. Radio interface, GPU drivers etc., all closed source, all parts of the operating system, meaning they can interface with other parts of the operating system. I can understand the argument if Dell's code is open-source/they gave the source to the DoD, but otherwise, nope.[/QUOTE] GPU Drivers, RIL and hardware things are down to the Manufacturer, obviously Dell are going to give them all of that.

[QUOTE=Paravin;33895552]Even before entering I just knew the OP would be mass-rated winner. But hey - keep on hating while I enjoy my device I earned with my own money.[/QUOTE] With that comment and attitude in a news article like this one, it's like you're begging to be flamed.

[QUOTE=Nikota;33895295]I imagine that technology in the military takes a lot of time to handle because of bureaucracy.[/QUOTE] Not just that, I get the feeling they might want to use a mature version that has been out in the wild for some time. Same reason some people continue to use like XP for certain things, its tried and tested and known to work.

[QUOTE=Paravin;33895552]Even before entering I just knew the OP would be mass-rated winner. But hey - keep on hating while I enjoy my device I earned with my own money.[/QUOTE] The fuck does that have to do with anything? Are you saying people with Androids steal phones or something?

[QUOTE=Jsm;33895724]Not just that, I get the feeling they might want to use a mature version that has been out in the wild for some time. Same reason some people continue to use like XP for certain things, its tried and tested and known to work.[/QUOTE] And the bugs that hasn't been fixed are already well know, so they can at-least implement workarounds.

There's really nothing here that you could sue over, even if you were just being greedy. They would have to really pull something out of their ass.

See the government don't like it when their internet history is logged, so why log ours? Double standards...

[QUOTE=nikomo;33895460]The open-source reason is either bullshit, or the guys at DoD are idiots. Android has so many closed parts, it's unbelievable. Radio interface, GPU drivers etc., all closed source, all parts of the operating system, meaning they can interface with other parts of the operating system. I can understand the argument if Dell's code is open-source/they gave the source to the DoD, but otherwise, nope.[/QUOTE] There's something more important than all the open-source stuff. Security. A device that could [I]possibly[/I] be tracking your movements or storing your data on someone else's server is not a good thing.

[QUOTE=Paravin;33895552]Even before entering I just knew the OP would be mass-rated winner. But hey - keep on hating while I enjoy my device I earned with my own money.[/QUOTE] But you could have spent less and spent the left over money on donations to charity or to buy little Timmy that operation he's been needing to get for a while now. Oh, and you sent that money to the world's most evil company. Well, largest evil company. [editline]25th December 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=Rombishead;33895794]See the government don't like it when their internet history is logged, so why log ours? Double standards...[/QUOTE] Because they need to stop the terrorists!!!!!! (and shoot the right adverts at you, of course)

Neat.

[QUOTE=mankind_me;33895284]Android 2.2, do they really have to be outdated? :v:[/QUOTE] I hope so. I hope their CEO has a mental breakdown and kills himself.

My next phone is an Android. :v: [QUOTE=Splarg!;33895782]There's really nothing here that you could sue over, even if you were just being greedy. They would have to really pull something out of their ass.[/QUOTE] You never know, Apple could screw them over if they start playing Tetris while talking. :v: