Apple and Samsung to bring smartphone war to Pentagon

Apple and Samsung smartphone wars continue at Pentagon HQ
Both will also be running for President in 2016

The iPhone and some Samsung Galaxy devices may be about to get some Pentagon love as the US Department of Defense is expected to grant security approvals, allowing the US military to purchase them.

This would allow several government agencies to use Samsung Galaxy smartphones running on "Knox", as well as iPhones and iPads running the latest iOS.

It's unlikely to have a big immediate effect on global sales, but the security endoresement will still be a big win for Samsung and Apple.

BlackBerry has been Pentagon-approved for a long time, and currently 470,000 of the Pentagon's 600,000 smartphone owners use the BlackBerry device. The Apple and Android devices are typically used to run test programmes.

But the approval could spell bad news for BlackBerry, which has prided itself on its image as being the go-to security device.

Secure network

"We are working towards establishing a multi-vendor environment that supports a variety of devices and operating systems, to include Samsung, Apple and BlackBerry," Pentagon spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Damien Pickart told Reuters.

"A key objective of the plan is to establish a department-wide mobile enterprise solution that permits the use of the latest commercial technology such as smartphones and tablets."

Check out Samsung's

Your Mobile Life

to discover loads more about the infinite possibilities of the GALAXY Note II

A full review for the devices is expected in May. This will include the iPhone 4, iPhone 5, iPad and iPad mini.

Via Reuters

TOPICS
Hugh Langley

Hugh Langley is the ex-News Editor of TechRadar. He had written for many magazines and websites including Business Insider, The Telegraph, IGN, Gizmodo, Entrepreneur Magazine, WIRED (UK), TrustedReviews, Business Insider Australia, Business Insider India, Business Insider Singapore, Wareable, The Ambient and more.

Hugh is now a correspondent at Business Insider covering Google and Alphabet, and has the unfortunate distinction of accidentally linking the TechRadar homepage to a rival publication.

Latest in Phones
Apple iPhone 16 Review
The latest iPhone 18 leak hints at a major chipset upgrade for all four models
Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold main display opened
Apple is rumored to be prioritizing battery life on the foldable iPhone – which could also feature a liquid metal hinge for added durability
Google Pixel 9
The Google Pixel 10 just showed up in Android code – and may come with a useful speed boost
The home screen on an iPhone 16e smartphone
I think the iPhone 16e is too expensive – and as it turns out, so does nearly everybody else
Apple iPhone 16 on orange background with big savings text overlay
You can get a free iPhone 16 Pro Max without a trade at Verizon right now - with one minor catch
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 in Paris in front of the Louvre pyramid
5 things I want from the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7
Latest in News
Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses
Samsung's rumored smart specs may be launching before the end of 2025
Apple iPhone 16 Review
The latest iPhone 18 leak hints at a major chipset upgrade for all four models
Quordle on a smartphone held in a hand
Quordle hints and answers for Monday, March 24 (game #1155)
NYT Strands homescreen on a mobile phone screen, on a light blue background
NYT Strands hints and answers for Monday, March 24 (game #386)
NYT Connections homescreen on a phone, on a purple background
NYT Connections hints and answers for Monday, March 24 (game #652)
Quordle on a smartphone held in a hand
Quordle hints and answers for Sunday, March 23 (game #1154)