The article states that a modern smartphone has the computing power of a 10 year old laptop and has replaced a lot of heavy gear that no longer has to be lugged along on a mission. Not to mention that when you have time you can get away from it all by plugging in your earphones and listening to music.
The U.S. Army has established an app store (the Army Marketplace) for military smart phone users. This includes the iPad, which soldiers are also big fans of. The army app store includes an "App Wanted" section where users can post descriptions of an app they need. If a developer (in uniform, or an army approved civilian with access to the Army Marketplace) is interested, a discussion can be started on an attached message board. The army hopes that the needed app will be quickly created and made available at the Army Marketplace.
