“In another blow for beleaguered BlackBerry maker Research In Motion, the U.S. federal government’s main procurement agency is issuing iPhones and Android-based devices to some of its 17,000 workers,” Alastair Sharp reports for Reuters.
“While the General Services Administration does not impose its purchasing decisions on other parts of the government, the terms and conditions it negotiates can be used as a blueprint for other agencies,” Sharp reports. “The GSA – which manages $500 billion of government assets including telecom, information technology and real estate – is also testing the use of employees’ personal smartphones and tablets on their secure networks, a popular move for corporations looking to cut costs.”
Sharp reports, “The GSA’s move is just the latest hurdle to face Waterloo, Ontario-based RIM. Another U.S. agency, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), said last week it would ditch the servers that run its BlackBerrys by June as it trimmed costs. Oilfield services company Halliburton plans to switch 4,500 BlackBerry-toting employees to iPhones, saying it’s is better suited to its needs. Several banks have also welcomed BlackBerry rivals.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Why would the U.S. government use insecure Android devices?
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Readers “Fred Mertz” and “Mike D” for the heads up.]
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“Why would the U.S. government use insecure Android devices?”…because they’re the government, der.
And because they are shovel-ready. (as in shoveling out the barn)
because you must have 3 vendors.
It was probably RIM, windows, Nokia before it was RIM, android, iPhone
oh, and stop bashing our government. Our government protects our very existence. If you can do a better job, run for office.
MacDailyNews Take: Why would the U.S. government use insecure Android devices?
For every action there is an equal and opposite government program.
Insecure or do you mean unsecured? Freudian slip. Love it!
It’s only a Freudian half-slip (with matching bra and panties.)
Would someone drive a stake through the RIM heart and put that company out of its misery.
My wife’s bank just approved iPhones for use on their systems, also the iPad. Within the last week, 6 people on her floor bought iPhones instead of the blackberries. Tsunami is coming.
Because that’s what they do best, spend our money on stupid stuff that doesn’t help society.
anaknipedro –
Yeah, like roads and bridges and police and nurses and food inspection and air traffic control. Damn the government for all that stupid stuff!
“use of employees’ personal smartphones and tablets on their secure networks, a popular move for corporations looking to cut costs.”
“Let’s just shift the costs onto our employees, but make them think we’re doing them a favour by letting them use their own iPhones and iPads.”
“Brilliant!”
“Now if we could just get them to lease their offices from us… Ah, yes, Mr Grendel? Install pay-toilets? Brilliant! You’ll be getting a very nice bonus this year, Mr Grendel…”