Boeing has announced plans to manufacture secure Android devices for U.S. government defense and security markets and you can bet your tax paying dollars these handsets will put carrier pricing to shame. Roger Krone, president of Boeing Network and Space Systems, was quoted as saying that Beoing was aiming to launch the device in late 2012, at a lower price than competitors who sell secure phones for as much as $20,000. Yep, you read that right, our government is paying upwards of $20,000 for a secure phone (talk about an expensive incognito mode).

Boeing decided to go with Android because it allows them to provide the security needed while also allowing for the consumer experience users have come accustomed to. Brian Palma, vice president of the company’s secure infrastructure group, expects the device to be ready late 2012 and believes there is significant interest:

“We believe that there is significant interest in the defense side as well as the intelligence side and in the commercial world as well”

Now if they can get that thing to transform into a Boeing 787 Dreamliner and fly me off to the Mediterranean, I’ll be sold.

via GeekWire

• SourceNational Defense Magazine