The nation's spies and classified information handlers may not be able to use iPhones, but they now can have something akin to a Treo that can quickly jump from being a classified to unclassified PSA and handle both encrypted and unencrypted phone calls and emails.

The Sectéra Edge from General Dynamics is no iPhone beauty, but it can handle Top Secret information.
Photo: General Dynamics

The NSA just approved General Dynamics' Sectéra Edge for classified use, clearing the way for the nations' spies to join the rest of the world in checking their email surreptitiously at boring dinner parties and in airport bathrooms.

The PDA is certified to handle Top Secret data and connect to secure government networks. With a single press of either the red or black buttons on the corners, spies can switch from a classified PDA OS to the unclassified one.

The $3,350 device has a full QWERTY keyboard, a touchscreen, a secondary trusted display and two usb ports -- one classified and one not. The device runs Windows Mobile, encrypts data and passes military standards for ruggedness. Web browsing is done via Internet Explorer. Goverment employees can get secure data plans through T-Mobile and AT&T in the U.S. and Worldcell internationally.

The device works in temperatures ranging from 140 to -9 degrees Farenheit. Check the video (WMV) for shots of it in action set to a bad rock n' roll soundtrack.

The Sectéra Edge also has a no-communicate mode for taking it into a Secure Compartmented Information Facility or SCIF.

Despite the fact this isn't an open platform, THREAT LEVEL deeply desires this device. In fact, as brutal as it might be, we would trade our Homeland Security Privacy Pig for one.

Via Government Computer News.