The US Army has announced that it has selected Android OS to power its first smartphone. This news comes just about when the world-dominating, human-exterminating computer network Skynet becomes self aware.
Wired’s Danger Room blog reports:
“A prototype device running Android called the Joint Battle Command-Platform (JBC-P Handheld), developed by tech nonprofit MITRE, is undergoing tests.”
This platform will allow soldiers to quickly and (hopefully) securely share geotagged notes about obstacles they encounter on the ground. It will also support mapping, critical messaging and other support functions.
The Army announcement explained that the JBC-P Handheld is an “Android-based smartphone framework and suite of applications for tactical operations. … Applications will be secure and interoperable with existing mission command systems so information flows seamlessly across all echelons of the force.”
Third party Devs will be developing the apps and services for Army smartphone and it is expected that the Army will release a development kit in July.
The Army wants applications that share data and resources across the platform, to avoid the “stovepiping” problems that have plagued so many military and government information technology projects.
via CNN
