Comments on: Smartphones Are the Perfect Combat Tool for Soldiers http://www.blackberrycool.com/2011/07/07/smartphones-are-the-perfect-combat-tool-for-soldiers/ The voice of the BlackBerry community. Wed, 22 May 2013 22:04:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: iphone application development http://www.blackberrycool.com/2011/07/07/smartphones-are-the-perfect-combat-tool-for-soldiers/comment-page-1/#comment-519267 iphone application development Tue, 12 Jul 2011 12:05:00 +0000 http://www.blackberrycool.com/?p=25920#comment-519267 These are good mobile apps that helps to soldiers. There are many free and useful apps available online.

]]> By: Derek Konigsberg http://www.blackberrycool.com/2011/07/07/smartphones-are-the-perfect-combat-tool-for-soldiers/comment-page-1/#comment-519191 Derek Konigsberg Thu, 07 Jul 2011 21:22:00 +0000 http://www.blackberrycool.com/?p=25920#comment-519191 There are two major problems with this idea, that everyone “in the tech community” seems to keep forgetting:

First, none of the standard consumer smartphones meet military specifications for environmental tolerances or usability.  Remember, its not just a matter of slapping an Otterbox around the thing.  It also has to stand up to extreme temperatures, humidity ranges, and also be usable by someone wearing gloves.

Second, what data network are you going to run these off of in the field?  Do you seriously think the military can rely on fixed GSM or CDMA cell towers in the middle of nowhere?  If such towers even exist, and aren’t being shot at, what’s to stop the bad guys from accessing them and pinpointing friendly troop positions?  Oh, and I seriously doubt those networks were designed with jamming (or any electronic warfare considerations) in mind either.

So could you build a device that ran a popular mobile OS, met military specifications, and ran on a tactical radio network?  Sure.  Would it cost a fortune to develop and mass produce?  You better believe it.  And would it look anything like your stock BlackBerry or iPhone?  I seriously doubt it.

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