View Full Version : Army SOF to Trade in Its Androids for iPhones
FlyingHunter
07-19-16, 21:12
http://www.dodbuzz.com/2016/07/15/army-sof-to-trade-in-its-androids-for-iphones/
From the article:
U.S. Army Special Operations Command is dumping its Android tactical smartphone for an iPhone model.
The iPhone 6S will become the end-user device for the iPhone Tactical Assault Kit – special-operations-forces version Army’s Nett Warrior battlefield situational awareness tool, according to an Army source, who is not authorized to speak to the media. The iTAC will replace the Android Tactical Assault Kit.
The iPhone is “faster; smoother. Android freezes up” and has to be restarted too often, the source said. The problem with the Android is particularly noticeable when viewing live feed from an unmanned aerial system such as Instant Eye, the source said.
When trying to run a split screen showing the route and UAS feed, the Android smart phone will freeze up and fail to refresh properly and often have to be restarted, a process that wastes valuable minutes, the source said.
“It’s seamless on the iPhone,” according to the source. “The graphics are clear, unbelievable.”
Nett Warrior as well as the ATAC and soon-to-be-fielded iTAC basically consist of a smartphone that’s connected to a networked radio. They allow small unit leaders to keep track of their location and the locations of their soldiers with icons on a digital map.
KingsideRook
07-19-16, 21:45
They were using a 4 year old Galaxy Note 2 to run a specialized app in split screen. The equivalent iPhone for 2012 was the iPhone 5. No kidding, the 6S is smoother and faster than the Galaxy Note 2?
It's not like they couldn't use a modern Android phone - you notice they're not switching to an iPhone 5. Someone just wanted iPhones, and maybe those are better for the next gen of the software. I'm glad they're getting better equipment either way, but the story really is "now using hardware from this year to do work" instead of "Android sucks"
I hope they remember to get the protection plan...
I wonder how many guys will be buying clone correct iPhones now.
Lol, wait until they call Verizon to get a replacement one and the tech support says you have to go to an Apple store. They can't mail you one......effin lol......
"Hey master sergeant, they said I have to go to an Apple store and speak to someone at the genius bar......."
"Bullshit....." "no really"
So the tip of the spear professional meat eater gets to wait in line with all of the bisexuals in skinny jeans.....lol...
Serendipitous as my current android is getting DXed at next opportunity.
It crashes, lags, and yet does nothing as good as or better than Apple.
eightmillimeter
07-20-16, 00:50
Serendipitous as my current android is getting DXed at next opportunity.
It crashes, lags, and yet does nothing as good as or better than Apple.
Since I'm about six months ahead of you in the same process, just do it now.
Outlander Systems
07-20-16, 06:45
Oh yes it does...
Serendipitous as my current android is getting DXed at next opportunity.
It crashes, lags, and yet does nothing as good as or better than Apple.
sidewaysil80
07-20-16, 08:34
My first experience with Apple came when I switched from Blackberry to an iPhone. Was pleasantly surprised and had that phone for like 4 years, not a single issue. Eventually after going through TWO pc laptops in that period I gave the Macbook a try. It has been been 100% reliable, is still as fast as day one, never lags, never freezes, etc. In MY opinion they make a superior product. They aren't perfect by any stretch, but based on my experience they are more reliable and last longer.
My first experience with Apple came when I switched from Blackberry to an iPhone. Was pleasantly surprised and had that phone for like 4 years, not a single issue. Eventually after going through TWO pc laptops in that period I gave the Macbook a try. It has been been 100% reliable, is still as fast as day one, never lags, never freezes, etc. In MY opinion they make a superior product. They aren't perfect by any stretch, but based on my experience they are more reliable and last longer.
Comparing android/pcs to ios/macs is like comparing ARs to the FN SCAR 16.
ARs can be made by a small company no one has heard of, or bushmaster, or colt, or bcm. Some are utter crap while some are among the best rifles at any price. Some are definitely worse than a SCAR, but some are better.
I've been on the same windows laptop since 2010. No crashes, no problems, it's been to the AOR and all over the US. It's not a fluke, it's just a quality PC.
If people spent the same money on Windows boxes that they do on Macbooks, it would be a different story...
I got suckered into buying a Mac. Macs suck for doing work. They're great for watching movies, traveling, and surfing the internet.
My favorite thing to ask a Mac user is a tough question like 'How do I copy a picture from 'Photos' to this external hard drive?'... most can't tell you, and even sitting at the computer, IF they can figure it out, it takes ten or fifteen minutes.
If people spent the same money on Windows boxes that they do on Macbooks, it would be a different story...
I got suckered into buying a Mac. Macs suck for doing work. They're great for watching movies, traveling, and surfing the internet.
My favorite thing to ask a Mac user is a tough question like 'How do I copy a picture from 'Photos' to this external hard drive?'... most can't tell you, and even sitting at the computer, IF they can figure it out, it takes ten or fifteen minutes.
This is very accurate. Apple doesn't make any cheap products.
When equivalents are used, all of a sudden all the benefits of Apple seem to not stand out anymore.
I dunno. You can make a solid Linux machine or a solid games machine but I'm at a point where I want shit that works.
I miss my Commodore 64. It was simple but effective.
Now everything basically seems designed to spy on you and choke you out with shovelware that you can't delete.
Personal computers used to be personal and being reminded of some of my......hobbies....while I'm trying to look up some news is wack and creepy.
Digital_Damage
07-20-16, 14:11
Not entirely accurate. There is an open choice to use iPhone or android, this is not really an android vs iPhone situation and is instead just replacing outdated phones. I would have to look it up but I think the iPhone was cheaper per unit currently than the newer android.
I dunno. You can make a solid Linux machine or a solid games machine but I'm at a point where I want shit that works.
I miss my Commodore 64. It was simple but effective.
Now everything basically seems designed to spy on you and choke you out with shovelware that you can't delete.
Personal computers used to be personal and being reminded of some of my......hobbies....while I'm trying to look up some news is wack and creepy.
If your thinking that the iPhone is more secure, ask all them movie stars how their dirty photos ended up on the internet? As far as looking at less personal info, I invite you to read the agreement that Apple asks you to click yes to accept.
The last one I read 5 years ago was over 20 pages. They look at all of the same info as android, or any one else. Rest assured, whatever they don't have, NSA has stored in Utah.
Want total privacy? Don't use a phone. Email, or credit card. Don't surf the web. Pay cash, and hand notes back and forth in the corners of dark bars.
One thing that helps is don't click on the tip of page swatch listings that say Ad. Don't click on floating ads either.
Here's what I've discovered. A marketing guy pointed this out to me on this subject. He said no one wants your data. What they want is your money. The idea is to know what you like and look at, in hopes of you buying it, or being interested enough to click and read, and that guy sold some ad space.
I don't really like it either, but I've accepted it. Just the way it is. Does make searches easier though.
Another thing to is you can't answer an iPhone by using the buttons. Touch only.
This becomes a problem in the cold. Don't wear gloves I guess, or get the ones with the special threads in the finger tips.
Outlander Systems
07-20-16, 15:59
Poor decision.
All the 3D, VR Porn is available for Android and NOT for iPhone.
Poor decision.
All the 3D, VR Porn is available for Android and NOT for iPhone.
Outlander Systems, always bringing up the real issues.
Outlander Systems
07-20-16, 16:55
LOL!
Bro, experiencing is believing.
What's the bigger issue on a deployment: seamless operation, and lack of crashing -or- the single biggest morale booster in the history of mankind?
I thought so!
Outlander Systems, always bringing up the real issues.
Lots of cogent points and counterpoints made.
Apple just as bad as Google.
VR Porn.
Just Deal with it.
All fair points indeed. I still miss my Commodore 64. That remains my only point I standpat on.
Outlander Systems
07-20-16, 17:18
My brothers got into a fistfight over the voice synthesizer on the C64. True story.
My brothers got into a fistfight over the voice synthesizer on the C64. True story.
Was it about making it cuss?
Outlander Systems
07-20-16, 17:39
Suuuuure was!!!
The middle brother was using it to dog cuss the older brother. Ass beating ensued. I used the opportunity to hijack the machine and get my Karateka on.
Was it about making it cuss?
Karateka! I was obsessed with Gunship. Because I loved AirWolf and Blue Thunder. I remember trying the WW3 missions and getting eaten alive by Hinds.
The Vietnam levels were fun because you were rocketing little firebases and VC infantry but then the Russians had Hinds and ZSUs and I learned all about Russian/Warsaw Pact AA weapons before age 10 thanks to Commodore
Another thing to is you can't answer an iPhone by using the buttons. Touch only.
This becomes a problem in the cold. Don't wear gloves I guess, or get the ones with the special threads in the finger tips.
You can use your lips.
sevenhelmet
07-20-16, 18:40
If people spent the same money on Windows boxes that they do on Macbooks, it would be a different story...
I got suckered into buying a Mac. Macs suck for doing work. They're great for watching movies, traveling, and surfing the internet.
My favorite thing to ask a Mac user is a tough question like 'How do I copy a picture from 'Photos' to this external hard drive?'... most can't tell you, and even sitting at the computer, IF they can figure it out, it takes ten or fifteen minutes.
What sort of work? I do a lot of work on my mac and it is faster and more reliable (albeit newer) than my PC at work. I also use Fortran, Matlab, Simulink, and various other 3rd party engineering utilities on my mac, and share it will all my co-workers who use PC (some of them also use mac). Moving files around like you allude to is simple. It's not Mac's fault that a number of its users are computer illiterate (as is anyone who can't find a file and move/copy it from A to B in a few seconds). So, what exactly are you trying to accomplish that your mac doesn't do well?
I'm not saying PC is bad (some are excellent), but Macs are capable of a lot more than people think, especially if you're comfortable with using Terminal (sort of like MS DOS for those of us who remember back that far) which contains some very powerful commands and automation scripts. I can even boot up in Windows or run it natively within my OS if I need to, but I haven't needed to do that since XP was all the rage, so I never bothered upgrading the windows side of the house. That said, Macs are #$%^ing expensive, so I wouldn't go with one unless you have a big budget, or a good reason. For me, it was for seamless compatibility with everything else I own, and a massive increase in computing horsepower since I was moving from a 2008 Macbook to a 2016 Macbook Pro.
Back on topic, I wonder if aftermarket support was a consideration for SOF?
Outlander Systems
07-20-16, 18:52
Absolutely!
Dude, that thing was a blast. I never got to play Gunship on C64.
Side note: Sid Meier's Civilization for PC was my Jam when I was a youthful Outlander.
Karateka! I was obsessed with Gunship. Because I loved AirWolf and Blue Thunder. I remember trying the WW3 missions and getting eaten alive by Hinds.
The Vietnam levels were fun because you were rocketing little firebases and VC infantry but then the Russians had Hinds and ZSUs and I learned all about Russian/Warsaw Pact AA weapons before age 10 thanks to Commodore
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