I think Xbox is owed a lot of credit for keeping Microsofts bankroll where it is, not windows.
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NYPD Expected to Replace 35,000+ Windows Phones With iPhones Starting This Year
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Security; letting officers personal devices have access to the police databases is probably a big No No and the NYPD would prefer to deploy devices that are locked down to their standards. That and the custom software packages that would be required to access the database, doubt that they would ever want to support that for all platforms. It’s more preferable to stick to one platform for simplicity.
Because some dummy will buy an Android that needs 10x the amount of support than an iPhone.
There's another layer. Phones are used as evidence if needed, which means that an officer could end up without his/her own device until the end of whatever investigation. (Not only criminal investigations but also administrative investigations).
That's what he said. Cities are always looking for the cheapest option, even if it doesn't make sense, because of the myopic desires of the taxpayer for full service at self-serve price.
Clearly NYC and the NYPD weren't thinking of future proofing due to the fact they chose WINDOWS phones. Also many municipalities dont update their technology and software as rapidly as other types of organization. Allowing BYOD does not guarantee interoperability, software compatibility or future proofing. IMO
On the contrary, at the time they were no doubt believing Microsoft (and pundits) who were predicting that Windows 10 and Windows Phone would allow universal apps that ran on both laptops and phones.
That would've been very appealing from the dual standpoints of future proofing and saving money.
This was a quote I saw from 9to5Mac:
"Law-enforcement sources blamed the boondoggle on NYPD Deputy Commissioner for Information Technology Jessica Tisch, with one saying, “She drove the whole process.”
“Nobody purchases 36,000 phones based on the judgment of one person,” a source said. “I don’t care if you’re Jesus <expletive> Christ; you get a panel of experts.”"
One person made this decision and screwed up the review process. She should have known better as the so called "tech expert" of the NYPD that a phone platform with a horrible market share compared to Android and iOS would eventually go defunct.
Probably budget had some part on the decision by the NYPD.
But, from my enterprise experience, I place the blame squarely on: Untrained pseudo computer-science technicians.
These technicians rely solely on the Windows Domain, and on Windows deployments for the Enterprise.
Seldom do these technicians demonstrate solid skills, beyond Microsoft-centric courseware, and lack training on the foundation sciences of Computer Science.
Again, from my observations, these Enterprise IT "technicians" love anything that is stamped Microsoft, regardless of ease of end-use, ease of functional extensibility, and proven stability of the code.
Samples:
But, from my enterprise experience, I place the blame squarely on: Untrained pseudo computer-science technicians.
These technicians rely solely on the Windows Domain, and on Windows deployments for the Enterprise.
Seldom do these technicians demonstrate solid skills, beyond Microsoft-centric courseware, and lack training on the foundation sciences of Computer Science.
Again, from my observations, these Enterprise IT "technicians" love anything that is stamped Microsoft, regardless of ease of end-use, ease of functional extensibility, and proven stability of the code.
Samples:
- Windows Domain and Federation
- Windows Sharepoint
- ...
- And now Windows Phone! <sigh>
You do realize the lifespan of these devices is only 2-3 years and that include idevices.
You and I may get up to 5 years but normal use and tech improvements mean an organization must upgrade everyone rather than each individual when that time arrives.
Other than the Windows phone being dropped by MS there's nothing new going on here, three+ years of service is normal.
Equipment gets replaced on a fixed schedule, most electronics every 3 to 5 years.
If **** sucks, it sucks, nobody cares, you have to wait.
If your stuff is working great and doesn't need replacement, taxpayer money is still going to get wasted on something new when time has come.
There is a whole industry filling their pockets, so don't expect any changes.
Ha
Xbox gets reported in the "other" category in MSFT's financial statements because it's not large enough to qualify for its own segment for GAAP purposes.
The "Other" category generated a loss of over $7.7B in fiscal 2016. Meanwhile Windows generated $6.1B in profit.
Actually, is doesn't say that they chose the phones because they were cheap, they chose Windows platform because it worked with their existing surveillance systems and databases. As it turned out, they were cheaper, but it seems better integration was the deciding factor (ie, able to roll out faster without having to start everything from scratch).
BYOD sounds fine for email or something. But I'm not sure I'd want a police force having "random" ability to perform their job- hey I couldn't use this resource because my daughter updated my phone to iOS 11 beta 3, which makes Stop&Frisk.app crash...
Most MDM/EMM solutions include a containerization solution that separates corporate and personal data. These are dedicated apps that provide access to corporate email, file storage, etc.
This is done, not only to protect corporate data from loss/leakage out through the user's personal apps or services; but also to provide the ability to perform a "selective wipe" instead of having to factory reset the whole device should it be lost, stolen, or the employee leave the organization.
Here is Airwatch Container, the industry de-facto standard for MDM, containerization solution: https://www.air-watch.com/downloads/resources/airWatch_container_brochure.pdf
Because there are lying crooks giving bad information to people:
http://www.macworld.com/article/1167112/report_windows_phone_will_pass_iphone_by_2016.html
Those crooks giving very bad reports have their own personal agendas or are being paid off by the hedge fund managers.
As an office drone I'd like lifecycle replacement to just go away getting a new computer is jarring but I understand why they do it.
All I know is that if I was a criminal and I knew the local PD was using Windows phones I would be delighted. I sure the local organized crime folks could afford to pay for the hacking tools to keep a close eye on the local PD.
With Apple that will be a lot harder. I pity the local PD that uses Android. It would be interesting to know if any do?
With Apple that will be a lot harder. I pity the local PD that uses Android. It would be interesting to know if any do?
No one ever got fired for choosing Microsoft over Apple. If you want to keep your job, you play it safe. I have no doubt whoever made the decision is probably still insisting Windows Phone will be making a comeback. Good luck with that.
Actually, I'm surprised the NYPD didn't go with Samsung's Android smartphones as they're considered to give more bang for the buck than iPhones. But then again every Android smartphone is said to give more bang for the buck than an iPhone. NYC is known for being cheap when buying devices and services, and yet the money usually disappears down a black hole. I'm just thankful some Apple product was chosen this time around.
