Congress Testing iPhone 3G As Official Smartphone

The iPhone has begun to permeate into businesses and organizations, and the US House of Representatives could be next. While House members currently rely on RIM's BlackBerry as their smartphone of choice, the Chief Administrative Office (CAO) that oversees all communications systems for the government branch have been testing the devices. If their tests go well, they could become official Government gadgetry.

The House currently uses 8,200 BlackBerrys to which emails are delivered via BlackBerry Enterprise Server. Since the iPhones would require that a new server be used, the CAO is making sure that email delivery is satisfactory before making the switch.

The CEO began the testing after several people requested that they be considered as an option. If the devices are approved, then House members can pay for them out of their Member's Representational Allowance. Such a switch would undoubtedly be a huge blow to RIM, who is already behind Apple in sales.

[via The Hill]