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ynniv
Google Android, not an actual android. Letdown.
coderdude
Despite the (probably purposeful) lack of determiners in the title, I assumed it had to do with the Android OS. That said, I think this is awesome. Defense systems are an interest of mine, and a more-or-less standardized OS deployed in defense hardware is something not often seen.
robg
That's why I think Google has the long-term winner here. Open source makes all sorts of innovation possible.
imgabe
I knew it was going to be Google Android, but it didn't make me any less disappointed.
TrevorJ
The security risks of giving such small, easily misplaced devices access to that kind of info seems like a terrible idea. What happens when a soldier gets captured? Having a device like this that is trivially accessible once you have the password gives the enemy a lot more reason to use force to extract information from a POW.
imgabe
Have a fake code that actually wipes the device. When the POW is questioned, he gives them that code and the device is rendered useless.
jrockway
Well, the code should cause the device to return mostly fake information. If it just stops working, you are going to make the person that threatened you with force mad. I have never been a POW, but I am pretty sure I would want to avoid that. (Note to future government that wants to draft me: You had better believe I would give up the real code to save my own life. I would probably even do it for some cash and a new passport.)

This concept would be good for consumer devices though. Customs officer wants to illegally search your laptop? Just give him the "correct" password.

TrevorJ
It's a good idea. Seems like security through obscurity though. Once the scheme is widely known it is useless.
TrevorJ
You can't get around the main problem which is that the individual soldier would now in all cases have access to info that is desired by the enemy, no matter what the safeguards are you are putting captured soldiers at risk of torture.
sketerpot
In other news, Barnes and Noble is making an ebook reader that runs Android. And a lot of cell phone makers are using it. And there are some netbook makers adapting it to their hardware.

Do you see what's happening here? Android is plumbing! It's becoming the de facto standard way to put a slick GUI on a mobile device.

pasbesoin
AVG gave me a malware warning on this link (could be a false positive -- just noting).