Now that President-Elect Barack Obama has declared that he will fight to keep his BlackBerry, the question of how exactly the U.S. government is going to make that happen. Starting from the premise that the Commander in Chief could not simply use an off-the-shelf consumer model, CrunchGear has composed a list of must-have features for a custom-made Obama BlackBerry (henceforth known as the ObamaBerry).
While most of what CrunchGear recommends is both insightful and cool — my favorite recommendations include voice recognition and remote detonation capability — the ObamaBerry collapses under its own expectations of security and performance. By creating a device that performs all the functions a President’s BlackBerry should (although does any President really need military grade GPS and the ability to start nuclear war from their BlackBerry?), CrunchGear has has destroyed the one thing that Obama wants from his BlackBerry: to not be isolated from the American public like previous Presidents.
Regardless, pulling out the ObamaBerry would be a great icebreaker while on diplomatic missions (“Did you know this thing can shoot lasers? Yes it can!”)
UPDATE: Gizmodo is reporting that Obama may end up using a giant brick running Windows Mobile 6.1. Sigh.
The Hague, The Netherlands and Waterloo, Canada – KPN and Research In Motion today launched the BlackBerry Curve 8900 smartphone. The new BlackBerry Curve 8900 has an expansive feature set that keeps users easily connected with their office, friends and family. In addition to being an exceptional phone with email, messaging, organizer, web browser and multimedia applications, the new BlackBerry Curve 8900 also features built-in Wi-Fi® (802.11 b/g), GPS, a fast processor (512Mhz) and a dazzling high resolution display, enabling customers to remain productive and entertained while on the move.
The new BlackBerry Curve 8900 smartphone is available from KPN without a subscription at the price of € 347 (including taxes).
Malaysia’s leading operator also lowers the BlackBerry service package price
Kuala Lumpur – Malaysia’s leading mobile operator, Maxis Communications Berhad, and Research In Motion today announced the launch of the BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8220 smartphone in the country. The BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8220 is the first BlackBerry smartphone to feature the popular “clamshell” or “flip” design. It builds on the success of the original BlackBerry Pearl series and offers phone enthusiasts a new fun and stylish choice.
Matthew Willsher, Maxis Chief Marketing Officer said, “Today, we are extremely excited to bring our customers the next level of mobile communications with the BlackBerry Pearl Flip, a great-looking phone and so much more. It has a design that people are comfortable with and will enjoy using for voice calls, multimedia applications, text and email messaging and Internet browsing. This innovative phone is the ideal choice for first time BlackBerry smartphone users, and we hope it will encourage our retail customers to enjoy the freedom of accessing their emails, communications and multimedia needs on the go.
The BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8220 smartphone is available at all 29 Maxis Centres nationwide at RM1,199, if purchased with a Value 150 postpaid plan and a BlackBerry service package that comes with a 24-month contract. Without a contract, it retails at RM1,999. For more information, visit www.maxis.com.my.
A lot of BlackBerry Storm users are still waiting for Storm versions of their favorite BlackBerry software, and TeleNav GPS Navigator is no exception. Nan Palmero spent some time with the fine folks at TeleNav during CES 2009 checking out their new version for the BlackBerry Storm. In addition to the video above, TeleNav’s Mary Beth Lowell goes deeper into GPS Navigator’s functionality after the jump. Check out both videos and tell us what you think!
Many of you may remember that I reviewede-Mobile Today and e-Mobile Today Professional Edition roughly a month ago. Well, E-Mobile Software Inc. has come out with a special Storm Edition of their popular e-Mobile Today software, which comes in two versions: standard and professional. The features found in each version are more or less the same on other device versions, but I really liked the professional edition last time around so I decided to take a closer look at the same edition made specifically for the storm.
When he wasn’t gambling, drinking, or twitter live-blogging, BlackBerry Cool contributer Nan Palmero was roaming around Las Vegas with a camera to bring you the goods from CES 2009. One of his first stops was at the Zeemote booth, a BlackBerry Cool 15 presenter and all around cool company that makes a sweet bluetooth controller for smartphone gaming. While the Zeemote JS1 controller is only out in Europe and Mexico right now, you can expect it to launch in Canada and the U.S. in a few months.
