*** Updated Yet Again: OK, so after CNN reported to everyone that it's probably a Sectera Edge Obama would switch to, it looks like it's actually a standard BlackBerry (his trusty old 8700?!) with a super encryption package added to it... a government agency that the Obama administration -- but that is probably the National Security Agency -- added to a standard blackberry a super-encryption package.... and Obama WILL be able to use it ... still for routine and personal messages. *
** Updated Again: Wow is this confusing. It seems that the mainstream media keeps using the term to mean "smartphone" and it's likely that even Robert Gibb's quote this morning referred to BlackBerry in a generic sense. I've now seen major media places (CNN, WSJ, etc.) now report conflicting stories. Even late in the day CNN continues to report he'll be getting the Sectera Edge (spy-roof device), which they still refer to as "getting to keep his BlackBerry". Hopefully it is a suped up Berry that Obama gets to use, as Engadget now reports (based on the White House annoucement quoted earlier). I wouldn't wish a Windows-mobile powered smarpthone upon my worst enemy! *
* Updated: January 22nd - Our CrackBerry tips email has been FLOODED with emails (thanks for sending in!) letting us know that President Obama will get to keep his BlackBerry for personal use. This word came through White House spokesman Robert Gibbs, who said on Thursday:
The president has a BlackBerry through a compromise that allows him to stay in touch with senior staff and a small group of personal friends.
Good stuff. Now how is RIM going to work this into a marketing campaign?! For more details you can click here. Hopefully this concludes the will he get to keep it or does he have to give it up saga.
And to any of you who don't like these types of posts on CrackBerry - don't worry... there is no plan to post political stuff every day. But this is the CrackBerry Capital and this is news we need to report (or the emails would never stop coming in and we'd get drowned in em!). If you're not a fan, just scroll down to the next post. Thanks for the patience! *
The issue of whether or not Barack Obama would be allowed to continue using his BlackBerry once sworn in as President of the United States of America has been all over the mainstream media for the past few weeks.
What's the verdict? I don't think that has fully been decided yet, but Charles Ommanney for Getty Images for Newsweek got a picture of President Obama after the parade yesterday checking his email on his BlackBerry. This is after he went from being President Elect to the President. According to ABC World News ( via Mobile Crunch / BGR), it does looks like he'll be able to hold onto his BlackBerry for personal use... at least for now.
One thing is for certain, if Obama does have to give up his BlackBerry altogether, he won't do it without a fight.
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106 comments
I really don't care if he holds onto one or not, I mean it would be cool but what about updating that beast to something a little more current. Maybe a specialized bold without the camera?
having someone in my family who is in a high level Federal Gov. position, they were given 8800s because, at the time, they were not allowed to carry cell phones with cameras. An obvious security issue.. having a camera that is. What is strange now is that they have just been given the choice of either the Bold or Strom.. both of which have cameras. My family member took the Bold and now uses it daily. So something must have changed in the Fed. laws regulating the use of cameras on cell phones for Fed. employees.
I am not sure how true this is but it was once rumored that the 8800/8820 were actually developed specifically (initially) for Federal government employee use. It was also rumored that Fed. employees who are supplied cell phones or smartphones were going to get a version of the Bold minus the camera. Obviously that didn't happen. They just got the same Bold that we all can buy.
I started the process for TS Clearance and I was told that I could have a camera phone but, I had to surrendor it over to security for 1 day during work for them to do something to it, was not sure what they were going to do but, I know they had to have it. Needless to say, I am not with them right now and it was not because of phone or background, the position was never filled due to budgets.
As a BES Admin, we used to prohibit Blackberries with cameras for our datacenter staff, but a couple versions ago they added a new set of IT Policies wherein you can lock down the camera. I'm assuming they would do that for him so that he can have a Bold or Storm, but the camera would be useless. I had read somewhere else that the NSA didn't want him using it because of it didn't support all of the necessary encryption standards, but looking at my BES console, you can set it to full FIPS Level-2 encryption through the IT policies. Maybe someone has more insight into the exact complaints, beside the obvious one over presidential records...
I'm helping our IT dept in testing out 8330's to replace out 8703's and first thing we all noticed is the BES IT policy blocking... so that icon is just there to tempt us now :) I'm all for deleting the icon all together and getting a new back with the camera area covered so most users (who don't want the thing at all) wouldn't even know to care
Since all phones are coming with cameras now and you can't tell a contractor what phone he/she can't use, there are now secure rooms. No phones, ipods, iphones, thumb drives, etc. are allowed in these rooms. This solves the camera issue...
I still think it's too much of a security risk. With all the advisers on staff and secret service and others that are constantly around the President, I see no need for him to carry a blackberry because he is always up to date with information he needs through those people. Maybe he want's to play Nintaii during meetings :)
Now that's what you call a TURE CrackBerry Addict, like me, cause I'm not giving up my BlackBerry for nothing in the world, When TMobile got the Peral, I had that for week, then upgraded to the Curve 8320, and now I'm about to Upgrade to the New Curve 8900 which WILL be release on Febuary 11, 2009 for sure, from the TMobile Tech Rep Support. I would get a Storm or Bold but too Much Money for an Unlock phone anywhere from 800.00 to 1,000.00... Damn I'm not rich. LOL
as long as he doesn't mind sharing all of his emails with the whole world, no problem...it is public record once he is president, all communications are.
Obama needs a storm, a new president that will change the way we think about things needs a device that changes the way we think about blackberries!
If it were me, I'd have been checking it during the parade while I was walking down Constitution. He probably had it in the limo with him anyhow. Like millions of other Americans, he's an addict.
Classic.. My President is BlackBerry Addicted!!!!!!!!!!
Nice to know it only took him a couple hours to causing trouble... Looks like he's off to a good start. Hope the nation is happy with the "change".
We sure are!!!
The only trouble the new President has is the trouble that he has to get us out of that the last President got us in to! Enough said on that!
I'm looking forward to the CHANGE!!!!!!!
Let's not even start with the Bush stuff. Bush wasn't perfect, but at least people had a reason for voting for him. He had a good history, and people knew where he came from. We haven't had any more attacks since 9/11. How many lives have been saved? We're doing a great job of eliminating high profile terrorists and working on getting a nation on their feet, AND he has saved more lives in Africa by funding AIDS programs than any other president in history.
What has Obama done?! He has a terrible voting record (on house bills), he's attended a "white America" hating church for 20+ years, and all he's done is run his mouth! People are voting on Hope! That's it! So what, he's a good speaker. We'll see if he's got anything in his tighty-whities. He's got the position, now DO SOMETHING!
Let's keep this focused on BlackBerries now, shall we?
You are an IDIOT squash, Conservative Republican FANBOY! Go stroke your epeen to GWB some more!
Oppose that black guy and you're deemed an idiot... even though he has nothing to stand on except what everyone else has done wrong.
agree with the white guy and you become a racists and a "fanboy"
To many watchers of Oprah and the view.... get a clue and go look up Obama and what he has not done... see for yourself, we as a country are in trouble now.
couldnt agree more with you. every president makes mistakes. at least Bush was a more decent human being than obama will ever be.
Obama is already approving the closing of Guantanamo bay and doesnt even know where they are going to take the prisoners lol. we are royally screwed guys.
Why? What has he done so far?
Give this guy some cheese to go with his (WHINE)!!!
you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you.
I assume you are speaking to individuals who own iPhones!
What model and network does he use?
honestly, I don't see what the big deal is - as mentioned ALL presidential communications are public record...aside, of course for the classified stuff, which I guarantee you he is NOT checking/reading on his BB.
So, in regards to his personal communications - if he's got nothing to hide, then it's all a moot point.
Looks like he went back to his old device.... interesting.
First I am not an Obama fan, but he is my president and I don't think he is going to be off sharing National Secrets or anything like that. He is in the highest office and they treat him like a kid. Seriously if he feels like he wants to let the cat out of the bag there are a million ways he could do it. Maybe they should take away all of his pens and paper too. I hope the closed his AIM account and deleted his facebook too. I wonder if his kids still can have coloring books? I mean they may color a picture of a missile or something and we wouldn't want that right?
I wonder if his kids still can have coloring books? I mean they may color a picture of a missile or something and we wouldn't want that right?
Dude these are kids what is your problem. You thought that was funny cause I didnt, nice comment what if someone said something like that about your children. I hope you are happy with yourself. Have some dignity
How exactly do you find insult to his kids in that line? Its an insult on whoever feels the need to take away his BlackBerry. You must be quick.
@ the anonymous person: He was being sarcastic
Bill Ayers - Domestic terrorist, The Islamo-facist regimes, Dictator-in-chief Chavez of Venezuela, ACORN, foreign illegal campaign donors, Al Franken-stein, the HATE-AMERICA left wing liberals and algore.
There, I said it. The President of the United States doesn't need a Blackberry. There are dozens of people, up to and including the Chief of Staff and his personal secretary, who are supposed to filter, condense, and prioritize all communications with the POTUS. Surely, his number or his PIN will get out like Paris Hilton's and he is going to have to change it; it will become a headache. Also, he is going to have to be so careful with the messages he sends that it will be a headache to reach out to others.
My theory is that more important you are, and the farther up the ladder you climb, the less dependent you should be on constant streams of unfiltered information. At the top, you don't even need a phone--someone is always there to just hand you one. Of course, I have a Bold with about six email accounts, visual voicemail, push news, etc., so either my theory is wrong or I am slinking at the bottom of my particular food chain.
I'm sure the device will have some sort of proxy around it. You probably can't even send messages or pin request him without being on some sort of BES "guest list."
He's a dad too. He should be able to pick up his phone and send a message to his daughters whenever he wants. I doubt this will cause any legal or security problems.
I thought one of the reasons so many businesses turn to BlackBerry is for its efficiency and security. Regardless, who cares what phone he uses... I have way more important things to concern myself with...
His BB is only for personal use, therefore will not be available to the public. He'll be using a secure device for presidential related communications.
He is the President, there is no such thing as personal communication, or personal anything.
I thought the DOD was one of RIM's largest clients? Wouldn't they need to be just as secure, if not more, as the Pres.? Put him on a BES and lock him down!!! :)
Keeping his BB he should not have run for prez. In his speech yesterday he asked for sacrifice on the part of the American people. He could lead the way and give up the BB for the sake of the high office he sought.
Not to mention that he'll end up in trouble. Presidents have gotten into more trouble when they thought they weren't doing anything wrong and he'll end up with some emails and texts that help with some investigation down the road. Mark my words. It's why his advisors want him to lose it, and he should darn well listen to them!
Well put. Everyone is so quick to jump on the it's-not-Bush bandwagon. He's 24 hrs into his presidency and they're already making excuses for his stupidity. I can only imagine when the golden calf president does something more controversial, what kind of blind tolerance his fanboys will show.
I happen to think GWB was a GREAT president and I have high hopes for Obama as well.
I'm worried though that they will never hold Obama responsible for the decisions he makes. It will always be someone else's fault if it goes bad.
That worries me and if it continues he will not get my vote in four years.
I want a president not a cult of personality.
I agree 100% with what you said. I have a feeling that no matter what happens, the Obama fanboys will always show their faces and say that it was some other factor that prevented his "change" from occurring.
This discussion has gone totally sideways in my opinion. First of all, the only mistake I saw on his first day as President was the Chief Justice messing up the Oath of Office. Not President Obama. It was the Chief Justice who thought he could deliver the oath by memory... oops.. not the case! And, by-the-way, Obama had officially become President nearly 5 minutes before actually taking the oath.
As for today... I don't think freezing the salaries of his staff was a "mistake"... it was exactly what he promised. Locking down Gitmo is long overdue. General Powell has wanted Gitmo closed down years ago. That place is a complete disgrace to the American way of life. It goes against everything this country stands for and is a blight on our standing around the world. He can't shut it down fast enouth.
So lets see... the guy does everything he promised on the campaign trail.. and for that he is making mistakes? Give me a break. The only mistake was keeping George Bush in office after the election was over. Like Franklin D. Roosevelt, Congress should have installed President early, like they did in Roosevelt's case. Bush was a complete disaster.. now he leaves it to someone else to clean up his garbage. I think I would be less worried about the new President's BB and more about how all of us are going to get out of this mess. After all, he is only one man.. .not God!
"This discussion has gone totally sideways in my opinion."
You took it sideways. The mistake he's made and what we were discussing is him using a blackberry as president.
Since we're already on a tangent... As is the case with him and cigarettes, he has problems giving things up. It's one thing to be determined about something, and it's another to be addicted and not having the will power to give it up (smoking and blackberries). Sounds like a weak presidency in the making to me.
This is my concern as well.
He does not seem to like sacrifices himself but is sure going to ask that we make some.
I'll sacrifice when he quits smoking and/or gives up his BB.
Let's see if he can lead....
I honestly didn't realize he smoked until one night on the campaign trail he pulled out a cigarette in front of a news camera. Not sure he was aware he did that.. most likely just habit. None-the-less, it is a bad and unhealthy habit which he should not partake in. Knowing he is the role model for so many kids, especially his own, he should know better. My Dad smoked for 25 years, way before I came along, and stopped cold turkey one day when I was around 6 years old.. that was that. I think President Obama can and should do the same!
As for his Blackberry... well, basically, who really cares. I guess my focus is on more important matters of State and the economy. If the guy wants a BB then so be it. I will admit to a slight addiction with mine... but then again, my business requires a tool that can deliver my emails, text messages and phone calls at any time and any where. Seems that BB fills that requirement.. especially my new Bold!
To Marine One:
Nooo way...you actually think Bush was a great President? What are his approval ratings? Somewhere in the 20s? Jesus....how can you actually believe that?
Also, how can you call Obama weak? Have you not learned anything about him growing up? Dude started at the bottom of city politics in motherfucking chicago. And not in the fancy pants part. WHen he figured that wasn't working he went to Harvard Law and was the first black man to be HEAD of the Harvard Law Review.....He tops that off with a meteoric rise in national politics....
Dude, weak? Seriously.....try half of the things I just mentioned.....Obama is a machine....he can do anything he wants, as he's proven already..
and how did mister obama "change" chicago for the better? lets face it. Chicago is still a sh88thole.
Personally, I love the fact that President Obama has a BlackBerry and that he wants to keep it! Ordinarily I'm not one to think of someone having a BlackBerry as "sexy," but this is, in my view, a definite exception! :-)
I see how there might be potential concerns with President Obama's having one, but if he truly does want one - at LEAST/minimum for personal use, if he believes things to be safe and secure enough, let him make that determination and, thus, let him have it!
Arguments can be made for both sides though...
We're proud of you, Mr. President!
I am so glad you are leading us!
- Becky, a.k.a. SmeeBig7.