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Shallow Nation

January 22nd, 2009 at 10:14 am

Obama BlackBerry: Sectera Edge (Photos, Video)

Barack Obama with his BlackBerry

President Barack Obama has won the battle to keep his BlackBerry. See photos and video of the Sectera Edge which will be his new official phone which has been dubbed the BarackBerry. In a recent interview, he famously said, “I’m still clinging to my BlackBerry. They’re going to pry it out of my hands.” Fortunately, that will not be the case. According to the agreement, Obama is allowed to keep his BlackBerry 8830 for “personal use.” However, he must use the Sectera Edge, made by General Dynamics, which has been equipped with special encryption, for official business.

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.

Source: Marc Ambinder: Obama Will Get His Blackberry

Here is a photo of the Sectera Edge. Source: Boy Genius Report

Obama Blackberry Sectera Edge

In a story earlier this month CNET’s Declan McCullagh speculated that this phone might be selected.

General Dynamics’ Sectera Edge, a combination phone-PDA that’s been certified by the National Security Agency as being acceptable for Top Secret voice communications and Secret e-mail and Web sites. Through three separate interchangeable modules, it works with Wi-Fi, GSM, or CDMA networks, and is dust-proof, waterproof, and rugged enough to survive repeated 4-foot drops onto concrete. Physically, it’s a chunkier second cousin to the Palm Treo 750, though with an additional LCD display below the keyboard.

The price is $3,350 with a two-year warranty, a princely sum that’s reflected in the Pentagon-worthy price tags for accessories: a simple adapter for a lighter plug costs $100. (Never again should you complain about how much your civilian analogue costs.)

Source and photo source: CNET Obama’s new BlackBerry: The NSA’s secure PDA?

Barack Obama with his BlackBerry

Barack Obama with his BlackBerry during the Presidential campaign

Additional photo source: Mail Online

While that battle is won, Obama and his White House staff are still facing the challenge of antiquated technology, outdated computer software as well as restrictions, previously reported; no use of instant messaging or outside e-mail accounts.

What does that mean in 21st-century terms? No Facebook to communicate with supporters. No outside e-mail log-ins. No instant messaging. Hard adjustments for a staff that helped sweep Obama to power through, among other things, relentless online social networking. “It is kind of like going from an Xbox to an Atari,” Obama spokesman Bill Burton said of his new digs.

Source: Staff Finds White House in the Technological Dark Ages

Here is Sectera Edge video and a compilation video of many Obama Blackberry photos. More Obama BlackBerry pictures below.

YouTube Link