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Obama BlackBerry alert: it's a BlackBerry
Guess what? Obama isn't using the Super Phone 6000. He's using the BlackBerry 8830, by Research In Motion (the photo above was taken today). So much for your shot at the big leagues, Sectera Edge. Maybe next time.
Engadget Podcast 130 - 01.23.2009: Angry rant edition
It is happening again. Once more, the smooth, sultry sounds of Josh, Paul, and Nilay have come to whisk you away to that magical super-land known as the Engadget Podcast. This week, you can hear the editors sound off on a variety of scintillating subjects, including President Obama's BlackBerry, Apple's legal threats, Kodak's new home entertainment ventures, and the (presumed) new HTC G2. So crank up the iTunes visualizer and prepare to be freaked out. Hosts: Joshua Topolsky, Paul Miller, Nilay Patel Producer: Trent Wolbe Song: Never Gonna Give You Up 00:01:10 - Engadget's Netflix HD streaming shootout 00:18:18 - Kodak's Theatre HD Player with gyro-based Pointer Remote unboxed and reviewed 00:29:25 - HTC's G2 "Sapphire 2.0" caught slumming in the wilds 00:40:03 - Apple on smartphone competition: "if others rip off our intellectual property, we will go after them." 00:54:19 - Confirmed: Obama gets his BlackBerry, no Sectera Edge in sight 01:01:43 - Best Buy Advice Subscribe to the podcast [iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (enhanced AAC). [RSS MP3] Add the Engadget Podcast feed (in MP3) to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically. [RSS AAC] Add the Engadget Podcast feed (in enhanced AAC) to your RSS aggregator. [Zune] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in the Zune Marketplace Download the podcast LISTEN (MP3) LISTEN (AAC) LISTEN (OGG) Contact the podcast 1-888-ENGADGET or podcast (at) engadget (dot) com.
Dear Mainstream Media: Obama's new phone might not be a BlackBerry, might not be a phone, and he might not be getting it
digg_url = 'http://digg.com/2008_us_elections/Obama_s_new_phone_isn_t_a_BlackBerry_might_not_be_a_phone'; This morning we've been barraged with tips alerting us to the news that President Obama has won his struggle to keep his (apparently deeply loved) BlackBerry -- a device which has historically been verboten in the White House due to security concerns. Unfortunately for the mainstream media outlets, a little conflation here and a little lack of fact-checking there does not a BlackBerry make. Just about everyone -- straight up to CNN and the AP -- are sourcing a post by Marc Ambinder in the Atlantic stating that Obama is "going to get his blackberry [sic]," though the actual news may be far different. Ambinder seems to be conflating two stories which he doesn't source at all, one saying that the NSA will jack-up Obama's BlackBerry with some kind of "super-encryption package," and the other stating that the President will get a Sectera Edge -- an NSA approved (but not issued) device we reported he might be getting last week. Here's the news in the exact (confusing) wording Ambinder uses:On Monday, 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.With few exceptions, government Blackberries aren't designed for encryption that protects messages above the "SECRET" status, so it's not clear whether Obama is getting something new and special. The exception: the Sectera Edge from General Dynamics, which allows for TOP SECRET voice conversations.The problem is that Ambinder (and the mainstream media) doesn't seem to know the difference between some NSA smartphone and an actual RIM BlackBerry... and there's a big difference. Of course, we won't tell MSM (or even solo bloggers) how to do their job, but we think there's some serious air-clearing called for here. We have yet to hear official word on what, if any, device Obama will be using in the White House, and recombining two separate pieces of information that may not be related (or fully understood) seems lazy at best, and dangerous at worst.Read - Obama Will Get His BlackberryRead - Obama 'to get spy-proof smartphone'Read - No decision on whether Obama will keep BlackBerryRead - Obama thinks he can keep his BlackBerry
NSA-approved smartphones leaves Obama with some ugly choices
Next week's US presidential inauguration of Barack Obama will have one sour note for the Illinois senator. Sure, he's gonna be the leader of the free world, but the notorious BlackBerry addict will have to give up his smartphone -- and frankly, if given the choice, we'd probably choose cellphone over country. There is hope, however, as CNET outlines two Windows Mobile devices that met the NSA's seal of approval for governmental use back in 2007: General Dynamics' Sectera Edge and L-3 Communications' Guardian. Unfortunately, both options look about as dated as the Treo 650, with exceptionally large antennas to boot. Hey NSA, any chance we can get something a bit sexier on the approval list?
NSA-approved smartphones give Obama some ugly choices
Next week's US presidential inauguration of Barack Obama will have one sour note for the Illinois senator. Sure, he's gonna be the leader of the free world, but the notorious BlackBerry addict will have to give up his smartphone -- and frankly, if given the choice, we'd probably choose cellphone over country. There is hope, however, as CNET outlines two Windows Mobile devices that met the NSA's seal of approval for governmental use back in 2007: General Dynamics' Sectera Edge and L-3 Communications' Guardian. Unfortunately, both options look about as dated as the Treo 650, with exceptionally large antennas to boot. Hey NSA, any chance we can get something a bit sexier on the approval list?
General Dynamics' Sectera Edge approved by NSA
We know, you probably forgot that a certain smartphone from General Dynamics was even in the running for NSA approval earlier this year, but lo and behold, the Q4 estimate was actually met and the coveted thumbs-up was given to the (totally unfashionable) Sectera Edge. The National Security Agency has reportedly "awarded a contract to General Dynamics C4 Systems enabling military and government users to order" the mobile, and just in case you weren't aware of how lucrative an indefinite delivery / indefinite quantity agreement could be, this particular one has a "potential value of $300 million over five years." Folks that end up with one of these things will have handheld access to the US government's Secret Internet Protocol Router Network (SIPRNet) and Non-classified Internet Protocol Router Network (NIPRNet), but oddly enough, we're not told whether top secret agencies will be kosher with third-party applications.[Via CNET]
NSA nearing approval of two uber-secure handhelds
If fingerprint readers and eight layers of passwords aren't secure enough for you (or your employer), the National Security Agency is reportedly nearing the end of the approval process for a duo of "secure handheld voice and data communications devices." General Dynamics, more commonly know for its array of laptops, is eagerly awaiting the thumbs-up to be given to its Sectera Edge (pictured), while L-3 Communications' Guardian should actually be available in Q4 of this year. With the coveted NSA seal of approval, "the Defense Department will be cleared to buy the devices under an indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract," but judging by the unsightly designs we're seeing on these things, don't bet on employees lining up to snag one.
