What Good Is Your Blackberry, Mr. President, If You Never Use It?
As the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama is known for his strong work ethic and his unparalleled ability to multitask. Among the tools in his arsenal is his trusty BlackBerry – essentially a secure smartphone that can send and receive emails and access the internet.
But in 2016, Obama revealed in an interview with Jimmy Fallon that he had actually stopped using his BlackBerry for official communication two years prior. This sparked a debate about the relevance and usefulness of such a device for someone in such a high-profile position.
So what good is a BlackBerry for the President of the United States if he never uses it? The answer lies in both the limitations and advantages of this device.
Firstly, the BlackBerry has some drawbacks when it comes to meeting the needs of a busy president. One of the most glaring issues is the device's security. While the BlackBerry was once renowned for its impenetrable encryption and secure messaging features, it has lost some of its credibility in recent years. Most notably, in 2010, the Indian government threatened to ban BlackBerry services within its borders unless the company shared encryption keys with the authorities. The Indian government was concerned that criminal and terrorist activities were being carried out via BlackBerry Messenger, and demanded the ability to monitor communications.
Though BlackBerry eventually reached a deal with the Indian government, this incident highlighted that no device can stay secure in every situation. Simply put, if even BlackBerry can be strong-armed into compromising its security, it raises questions about how safe this device is for the President of the United States to use in his official duties.
Another problem with using a BlackBerry for the President's communication needs is its limited functionality. While the device excels at basic functions like sending and receiving emails, browsing the web, and managing contacts, it is far less capable in areas such as multimedia creation, document editing, and video conferencing. Trying to use a BlackBerry to run a video meeting with other world leaders, for example, would be a frustrating exercise in futility.
Despite these drawbacks, there are still some very compelling reasons why the BlackBerry is the perfect device for a President like Barack Obama. One of its biggest advantages is its simplicity. While the BlackBerry might not be the most capable device on the planet, it is incredibly easy to use and customize to the user's preferences. This is a huge benefit for someone like the President, who needs to be able to get work done quickly and efficiently, without wasting time fiddling with technical settings or learning new software.
Moreover, the BlackBerry is a more reliable and secure way to send and receive emails compared to using a consumer-grade email service or even an agency-issued email account. For example, a personal Gmail account is far more likely to be hacked or compromised than a BlackBerry email account secured with end-to-end encryption (assuming the device and software are properly configured and maintained).
In addition, the BlackBerry can provide a more streamlined and centralized way for the President to access classified or sensitive information. While traditional office phones and computers are still necessary for some communication tasks, the BlackBerry can serve as a quick and secure way to access the latest intelligence or obtain updates on important issues, even while on the go. Especially in a fast-moving international crisis, the ability to get up-to-date information quickly and securely can be a major advantage.
Another advantage of using a limited device like the BlackBerry is that it allows the President to stay focused on his work, without getting distracted by social media or other frivolous apps. This is a major challenge in our modern age of constant notifications and never-ending streams of information. By using a device that is designed solely for productivity and communication, the President can stay focused on the task at hand without getting sidetracked.
Finally, the BlackBerry is a symbol of stability and reliability, both of which are important qualities for a President to embody. By using a tried-and-true device like the BlackBerry, the President sends a message that he is serious about his work, and is willing to stick with something that works. This is especially important in a world where technology seems to change on a daily basis, and people are constantly chasing the next big thing.
In conclusion, while it might seem strange for the President of the United States to cling onto a device that is less advanced than an iPhone or Samsung Galaxy, there are still many good reasons why a BlackBerry is a useful tool for someone in this position. The device's simplicity, reliability, and security make it an ideal choice for handling sensitive information and communicating with world leaders. Even if Obama has stopped using his BlackBerry for his official duties, it remains a symbol of his presidency and the unique challenges he faced during his time in office.