Boeing, on Wednesday confirmed plans of launching a specialized Android smartphone for government agencies and workers who handle sensitive information.
As per the filings submitted by Boeing with the U.S. Federal Communications Commission, the Boeing ‘Black’ smartphone will be an Android powered handset capable of accessing multiple cell networks.
According to Boeing, the handset will be sold “primarily to government agencies and companies engaged in contractual activities with those agencies that are related to defense and homeland security.”
Brochures available from Boeing reveal that the device will sport a 4.3-inch diagonal screen, dual 1.2 gigahertz ARM Cortext APU processors and weigh 170 grams. The 5.2-by-2.7-inch handset will support dual SIM cards and can operate on the WCDMA, GSM and LTE frequency bands.
It will also have a removable battery and offers WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity and ports that will let users add additional sensors or technology enhancements like satellite connectivity or expanding power, the aircraft maker confirmed.
Boeing, in the documents filed with the FCC, also stated that all the technical information about the Black smartphone won’t be made public and will remain limited to only those who will have to sign non-disclosure agreements to get hold of the mysterious device.
In a letter to the FCC, Boeing’s counsel Bruce Olcott wrote, “The Boeing Black phone is manufactured as a sealed device both with epoxy around the casing and with screws, the heads of which are covered with tamper proof covering to identify attempted disassembly.”
“There are no serviceable parts on Boeing’s Black phone, and any attempted servicing or replacing of parts would destroy the product”.
“Any attempt to break open the casing of the device would trigger functions that would delete the data and software contained within the device and make the device inoperable.”
Information regarding the price and availability of the Black Boeing handset is yet to be revealed.
[Source: Reuters]
