Confirmed: Obama gets his BlackBerry, no Sectera Edge in sight

At Robert Gibbs' first press conference as President Obama's Press Secretary, the most important and heated debate of our time has been put to rest. According to Gibbs, Obama will be able to keep his BlackBerry, though only a limited number of senior staff and personal contacts will have access to his email address, and the data on the handheld will be subject to the Presidential Records Act. There was no mention of the NSA or the Sectera Edge, though he does mention some enhanced security. In Gibbs' words:

"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 in a way that use will be limited and the security is enhanced to ensure his ability to communicate, but to do so effectively and to do so in a way that's protected."

Finally, a clear indication that for the first time in the 21st century, the President of the United States will act like it's the 21st century. You can watch it all go down in the video after the break -- just crank it to about 45:30. Now, on to this economic stuff we keep hearing about...

[Thanks, Vipul]

[Yulian @ Jan 22nd 2009 3:53PM]

Now, all we need is to get him a laptop that isnt running Windows 95, and he should be all set for running the country.

[suhaybh @ Jan 22nd 2009 4:09PM]

He owns a Macbook Pro running OSX and has a pacman eating the apple logo

[Jomolungma @ Jan 22nd 2009 4:14PM]

It was definitely mentioned during the campaign that he would be the first President with a laptop in the Oval Office. Looking forward to those photos.

[Andir3.0 @ Jan 22nd 2009 4:54PM]

The only thing that could be remotely considered an American cell phone would be Motorola... at least, that I can think of off the top of my head.

[Mark Anderson @ Jan 22nd 2009 5:11PM]

@shugg

Since they're all made in China it doesn't really matter.

[toppgun @ Jan 26th 2009 1:21PM]

isnt motorola an Israeli company?

[Dr. Spaceman @ Jan 22nd 2009 7:12PM]

@shugg Ford owns Mazda.

[suicycle.com @ Jan 22nd 2009 7:17PM]

Baby steps... baby steps. Everyone already thinks he's going to fix the world.

[PSN: Aggie_CEO @ Jan 22nd 2009 10:18PM]

@shugg.......there are cellphone manufactures that are American!?!??!

[Mike @ Jan 23rd 2009 2:33AM]

Cupertino?

Twat.

[OnlyShawn @ Jan 24th 2009 6:45PM]

shugg...go away, dirty protectionist. buy goods that work, not ones that are inferior.

Though, the inferior manufacturers might end up taking our money anyway when their company fails.

[Aarun @ Jan 24th 2009 10:23PM]

"Um, the President has a BlackBerry through a compromise, uh, that allows him, uh, to stay in touch with senior staff and uh, a small group of, uh, personal friends, um, in a way, uh, that use will be limited and, uh, the security is enhanced to ensure, uh, his ability to communicate, but to do so effectively, uh, and to do so in a way that's protected uh."

[Ari @ Feb 2nd 2009 2:35PM]

@Dr. Spaceman (30 Rock ftw)

Ford holds a majority stake in Mazda, 33% (which, in Japanese law, is considered a majority stake). Mazda is still very much a Japanese company, though

[ridahgadgetguy @ Jan 22nd 2009 3:54PM]

OBAMA+BLACKBERRY=FTWWWWWWWWW!!!!!

[joe23521 @ Jan 22nd 2009 4:47PM]

BARACKberry.

[Mike @ Jan 22nd 2009 5:05PM]

First person to post BARACKberry logo for him to use wins the internets. Make it sexy and maybe he'll be seen using it lol

[Like_A_Glove @ Jan 23rd 2009 6:27AM]

@Mike

I said something similar, and my comment got deleted, then I realize that maybe my joke was a little too harsh to some people's ears. I don't know who made the decision to name RIM's smartphone line BlackBerry instead of BlueBerry or any other berry for that matter, but I DO know whoever in charge, made a decision that ultimately killed my comment. Good job!

[The Shizz @ Jan 23rd 2009 10:03AM]

I think the BARACKBerry sounds good, but OBAMABerry sounds fantastic. You have to say it a few times out loud...

[ace587 @ Jan 23rd 2009 9:05PM]

BARACKoBERRY

[gamemastermichael @ Jan 22nd 2009 3:54PM]

Cool stuff.

[vcx @ Jan 22nd 2009 6:01PM]

The Press Secretary likes to "step back" for answering each question.

[Invisiblemoose @ Jan 22nd 2009 3:54PM]

Looks the mainstream media wins this time...

[Joshua Topolsky @ Jan 22nd 2009 4:07PM]

Actually no. The mainstream media (and other outlets following suit) was reporting a conflation of news. That Obama would keep a special, NSA-approved device, or alternately that he would have both. See this CNN report from earlier:

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/01/22/obama.blackberry/index.html

This is the exact reason we did our previous post -- there was a clear misunderstanding in the MSM of what "BlackBerry" meant, and no real source for the info. It's now clear that he is actually just keeping a regular BlackBerry with some added security -- not at all the confusing mashup that we've been reading today.

[KIFF @ Jan 22nd 2009 4:24PM]

Just admit it, you got owned.

[Juaquin @ Jan 22nd 2009 4:30PM]

Sure, the MSM might not have been right on, but they were closer than your previous post. Perhaps posting about how everyone else was wrong before you had facts was a mistake. Either way, Obama has a BlackBerry that he won't be using much because it's not very secure and all messages will eventually be made public.

[mr_mcflugelbutt @ Jan 22nd 2009 4:38PM]

I don't think you know what you're talking about. The whole point about the previous posting earlier today was that the media was getting their information crossed--they were confusing Blackberrys with non-Blackberrys. The media was pretty much combining two articles into one and making a mess of it. Engadget's posting earlier today said that Obama *may* not be getting his Blackberry, depending on which source was correct.

[Charles @ Jan 22nd 2009 3:55PM]

As easily as cell phones are hackable in the 21st century, I think it's highly unlikely that his blackberry will not undergo some sort of software upgrade. It might be only advanced software encryption, but I could see the NSA developing a completely new OS just for a presidential cell phone. If anything, it'd be foolish to leave it as a stock blackberry...

[SHoe @ Jan 22nd 2009 4:03PM]

Blackberry security is really good compared to the competition - that is why governments use it all over the world. For a decade they have had strong encryption built in with the ability to do things like remote wiping and disabling of the hand held, remote setting of policy to disable access to certain features or network protocols. It is starting to look a little arcane now-a-days, but there is still nothing better. Yes the NSA will up the encryption level, but I doubt that they have the in house capabilities or expertise to replace the OS in timely manner. What would they improve beyond the encryption? They are good at what they do but they aren't magicians - or mobile software designers.

[kjb434 @ Jan 22nd 2009 4:17PM]

He'll be the first president to do this.

GW Bush had to give up his Blackberry in 2000. I was an addict like Obama and didn't want to let it go either. I guess the security issues have been ironed out now.

[Scythe @ Jan 22nd 2009 4:19PM]

It has standard software encryption (AES and TDES). I'm sure the only change they've made is by making AES 256-bit, therefore allowing it into certain cleared areas and making the phone painfully slow.

http://na.blackberry.com/eng/ataglance/security/features.jsp

[fastm3driver @ Jan 22nd 2009 4:57PM]

Encryption is fine but what about tracking. I would think the secret service would have a problem with this. If someone knew what phone he had I bet they could track him. Either through the phone company or using some sort of roaming receiver.
Then you send in some kind or tracking robot with a bomb and blam. Not that I have though of this much but it seem kind of doable.

[Wwhat @ Jan 22nd 2009 5:51PM]

Yeah that's why presidents live in undisclosed towns on undisclosed addresses and fly in unnamed planes not painted with any kind of huge logo or anything nor with a callsign the whole world knows, nor do they give press conferences at announced times.
And in the past they didn't tell what ranch they were on either.

[Brett @ Jan 22nd 2009 3:55PM]

I still have a problem with how they are going to make sure the PRA is in full effect on that thing.

I do like how Obama was like a 4 year old to the NSA and Secret Service about this "but i want, i want this now Daddy!"

And be sure to turn GPS tracking off, just a thought.

[Denom @ Jan 22nd 2009 4:42PM]

I thing that this is not a kid's behavior but shows a man who is decided to make his own rules and make clear that he has the upper hand. That's how a president should be.

[Canis_Minor @ Jan 22nd 2009 5:21PM]

"shows a man who is decided to make his own rules and make clear that he has the upper hand. That's how a president should be. "

I hope not. That philosophy didn't turn out well when the previous two Presidents decided to make their own rules: Remember those own rules? "Torture in Guatanamo" and "Cigars in Monica"? But then, I guess 'berry in the oval office is a more benign rule... :)

[Hex Trope @ Jan 22nd 2009 7:08PM]

Perhaps this story has been blown out of proportion by how much Engadget and Gizmodo are covering it, but it just comes off as desperate and childish.

[Magickam @ Jan 22nd 2009 3:57PM]

Lol at the BREAKING NEWS.

[L @ Jan 22nd 2009 4:10PM]

Yeah, seriously. OK, this BarackBerry story thing wasn't all that interesting to start with, and now it's really just beaten to death. Who cares what device the President is using?

[tiuk @ Jan 22nd 2009 4:13PM]

If anyone, probably some of the visitors of this site.

[Andir3.0 @ Jan 22nd 2009 4:56PM]

All of his disciples...

[000000 @ Jan 22nd 2009 3:57PM]

RIM's stock just jumped 8 bucks!!!

i kid i kid...

[Gaucho @ Jan 22nd 2009 3:58PM]

Nice. I wonder if McCain had won, if they would have let him keep his beeper and his Palm Pilot 5000.

[architect.zero @ Jan 22nd 2009 4:03PM]

If by beeper you mean pacemaker, then I'm sure they'd let him keep it. Though I'm guessing they'd make a few "security" modifications.

And when faced with a Palm Pilot, I'm sure that McCain would say something like, "I was a pilot you know, and I've never heard of a blasted 'palm pilot'. Sounds like some sort of dirty phrase that the kids are using these days. Get off of my lawn!"

[skant @ Jan 22nd 2009 4:29PM]

oh wow, I see what you did there...old joke about John McCain...funny

you know, it never gets old...really never...I mean never ever...really...really...funn...y

[nohone @ Jan 22nd 2009 4:46PM]

McCain is actually a gadget geek. The problem is that he cannot easily use the gadgets because of physical injury sustained while he was a POW (ever notice how he has a 'robotic' look when he waves, walks, etc?). The disgraceful thing is the Obama camp used that to their advantage and put out a commercial mocking McCain for not "knowing" how to use e-mail. He knows how to use it, but finds it too painful to use for an extended period of time so he has his wife type longer messages for him.

Iconically, until Obama decided that he is too special and will use email, McCain would not have needed to type if he were president.

Disclaimer: While it sounds like I am a McCain fan, I am not. He was a good man for his military service, but the 2nd most horrible choice for president in history - the 1st being the one we have now and his cult of personality.

[Canis_Minor @ Jan 22nd 2009 5:26PM]

"He was a good man for his military service, but the 2nd most horrible choice for president in history - the 1st being the one we have now and his cult of personality."

Really, the second worst? Hmm. I'd like to say that I think I am an even worse choice for president than McCain, so I guess that at best that makes him third worst. Mmkay?

[KarlW @ Jan 22nd 2009 9:40PM]

"the 1st being the one we have now and his cult of personality."

I don't want to get too political, but don't underestimate the importance of confidence and amiability. It helps the markets, which are grounded in speculation and estimation. It helps in foreign affairs, where personal relationships can often affect political decisions (such as Britain joining the war in Iraq). It helps with other domestic affairs, where confidence in leadership can inspire and motivate people to do things that legislature alone cannot do. Most importantly, as a black president, he can help black Americans aspire to something better than what they are often reduced to in today's society, helping them and lowering the number that resort to crime.

Also, before anybody comments that I'm being racist by associating black people with crime, it is true that more black people resort to crime. That doesn't mean it's totally their fault - everybody's to blame for keeping them in such a miserable state that they are forced to crime by exclusion of other avenues. A black president may motivate these people to stay in school, for example, and attempt to make something of themselves. Only part of it is lack of motivation though - there needs to be much better funding for university education, as there is in the UK (£3000 per year tuition, everything paid by student loan, repaid from tax contributions only when earning over a certain amount, written off after 27 years, comparatively low interest, substantial extra grants available based on household income)

It's been said a million times, but he can do good. I don't know how smart he is, but intelligence isn't everything. Just because he's got a gift of charisma that's more visible than a gift of intelligence, doesn't mean he can't do a thumping good job.

[Jacob @ Jan 22nd 2009 3:58PM]

any word on which Blackberry?

[lee @ Jan 22nd 2009 4:04PM]

I am sure RIM will give him a nice one, best ad campaign they could ask for

[Jomolungma @ Jan 22nd 2009 4:18PM]

Well, I'm not sure, but the federal government is currently issuing other employees World Edition BB 8830s on Verizon. They've been doing so for a few months now. Since the White House staff appears to be stuck in the same techno-retro time warp other fed employees are, I don't see why the President would be immune...