iPhones at War

Apple Computer today unveiled its new operating system for the iPhone, which will support new applications like spoken turn-by-turn directions via TomTom's iPhone-enabled GPS app.

With all the new iPhone operating system bells and whistles announced by Apple execs today, one can expect there to be a defense contractor (or deployed service member) to come up with some new apps for military use.

As Newsweek reported in April:

The iPod isn't the only multifunction handheld on the market, but among soldiers it's the most popular. Since most recruits have used one -- and many already own one -- it's that much easier to train them to prepare and upload new content. Users can add phrases to language software, annotate maps and link text or voice recordings to photos ("Have you seen this man?"). Apple devices make it easy to shoot, store and play video. Consider the impact of showing villagers a video message of a relaxed and respected local leader encouraging them to help root out insurgents. . . .

Apple gadgets are proving to be surprisingly versatile. Software developers and the U.S. Department of Defense are developing military software for iPods that enables soldiers to display aerial video from drones and have teleconferences with intelligence agents halfway across the globe. Snipers in Iraq and Afghanistan now use a "ballistics calculator" called BulletFlight, made by the Florida firm Knight's Armament for the iPod Touch and iPhone. Army researchers are developing applications to turn an iPod into a remote control for a bomb-disposal robot (tilting the iPod steers the robot). In Sudan, American military observers are using iPods to learn the appropriate etiquette for interacting with tribal leaders.