As the US military continues its search for the best battlefield smart phone, it’s looking more unlikely that the iPhone will be a contender, reports “Defense Systems” (http://macosg.me/2/e6). Apple’s proprietary technology and the price tag attached to implementing it across the Defense Department are the two biggest hurdles.
Comparatively, a mobile device driven by an open operating system — one that is malleable to DOD needs, perhaps the Android — could be a better fit for rapid design and deployment, says “Defense Systems.” Testing is already under way on a variety of devices. However a Boeing official pegged the cost of a single, proprietary iPhone app at US$200.