Military tactical handset running Android
We already know about DARPA testing the use of Android for real-time translation, but what about a handset made particularly for military applications?
General Dynamics Itronix just announced a wearable tactical computer/GPS device running Android. It has a 3.5 inche sunlight readable display at 800×480 pixels, and it meets MIL-800G specifications for ruggedness (testing impact, dust ingress, rain/water ingress, vibration and shock, extreme temperature exposure, and humidity).
This device, called GD300, is one of the first tactical handhelds running Android, although the TAG TC100 is another. In the last few years, such handhelds generally ran Windows CE or Windows Mobile. It is nice to see Android breaking into such a niche market.
The GD300 runs has a 600 MHz Cortex A8 processor (same as in the Nokia N900, Palm Pre, iPhone 3G), 8G internal flash storage, 256 MB RAM, microSD, and weighs less than eight ounces. It can also interface with tactical radios or other field devices.
General Dynamics claims that the touchscreen is “glove friendly,” also claiming that it allows those in the field to, “move information around, and zoom in or out or place digital ‘markers’ on tactical maps.”
The GPS antenna is really powerful, allowing a good satellite fix in mountainous terrain or an urban environment. There is a wrist-connected Radio Interface Kit (RIK) that allows connecting to the aforementioned tactical radios (or commercial radios). It does not seem, however, that the GD300 has normal cellular or WiFi radios.
It has a 1550 mAh battery that will last 8 hours of constant use, and there are sleep and hibernation modes.
If you feel you need one of these, it looks like they will be available for $1200. More information available in the product sheet and on the website.
Category: Phones
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[...] all to design a unit that remedies those failings, and sell it at a reasonable cost. Here’s a link to a mil-spec ruggedized Android GPS unit already available; currently costs $1200, but divide that by the factor of 3-5 that military [...]