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Topic: Government

Presidential gadgets: What technology does Obama use?

Summary: The most tech-savvy U.S. president to date, Barack Obama uses the best devices and technology for the job, in and outside of the White House. Here's a look at some of the devices, platforms and technology he uses to carry out his day-to-day presidential duties.

Zack Whittaker

By for London Calling |

 |  Image 15 of 16

Polycom SoundStation 2 conference phone

The president can communicate hands-free on a conference call with other members of the Cabinet, Congress, and other department heads around the country -- and indeed the world, by using the Polycom SoundStation2. It uses high-quality microphones that can pick up voices up to 10-feet away -- which is ideal for the Oval Office or the Situation Room, and includes an LCD display for caller ID and other call information.

Credit: White House/Flickr. 

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Topics: Government, Apple, Smartphones, Security, BlackBerry, iPad, Government US, Enterprise Software, Dell, PCs

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39 comments
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  • One myth, at least, has been put to bed forever

    If the President can use an iPad for Government briefings than the myth that the iPad tablet lacks enterprise security lockdown capability or cannot be used in a secure environment has finally been dispelled.
    kenosha77a
    Reply 3 Votes

    • nope

      physical lockdown is easy. 1. use a iPad only wifi version. 2. allow it to have access to whitehouse and other important networks. 3. have a personel track the devices all the time.

      to breach security, someone needs to breach first whitehouse and other securities.

      And suddenly almost every device is accessible for enterprise use...
      Fri13
      Reply 2 Votes

      • and

        forgot to say that of course iPad probably is all the time in offline mode and secretaries copy needed data for Obama so he doesn't need to search and manage them.
        Fri13
        Reply 2 Votes

        • hmm

          He uses an ipad? Glad I never voted for him, anyone who owns an ipad is obviously incapable of making good choices, so that explains his failure rate then. and here I was thinking he was a bad guy when It was the ipad the whole time.
          kikax
          Reply Vote

          • I bet you voted for Bush

            Twice! What a moron you are.
            new gawker
            Reply 2 Votes

          • WTF??

            Been boozing again? This has t be be one of the worst comments I have ever read on Zdnet, and that's saying something! Congrats, loser.
            tora201
            Reply 1 Vote

      • Go back near the beginning of the pictures...

        The iPad shown adjacent to his 15" MacBook Pro 2011 model... has the black cellular radio bar at the top of the device.
        KitWriter
        Reply Vote

  • One myth, at least, has been put to bed forever

    If the President can use an iPad for Government briefings than the myth that the iPad tablet lacks enterprise security lockdown capability or cannot be used in a secure environment has finally been dispelled.
    kenosha77a
    Reply 1 Vote

    • The double entry was not my fault

      When I submitted my comment, the web site replied with a "unknown error has occurred" message.

      When I refreshed the browser page, I saw duplicate comment postings.
      kenosha77a
      Reply Vote

    • Not true. Anything is secure if it's internal. Think of it as paper

      as long as that paper never leaves the building, and is only handled by one or two people, it's very secure.

      Same with any tablet or computer. A PC or Mac is just as secure if it has no access to the outside (internal network only, no email, secure server, ect) and all USB ports are disabled, then it's safe as can be.
      William Farrel
      Reply 1 Vote

      • Internal, perhaps...

        But we do see several shots of Obama using his computer to access the internet. Let's face it, with Government IT and Government firewalls, Obama has the best tech support and his connection is QUITE secure.
        KitWriter
        Reply Vote

  • Well,....

    we're thankful for that 'Kanosha77e'; however, anything that the 'President' chooses to use is pretty much locked down - this has been an expectation since the early 70-'s (give your head a shake) rattle rattle, of course , 'uber smart bois' like youi can now go and hang out at the mall and claim "this is as secure as wut da pres got'!
    Mujibahr
    Reply 2 Votes

  • President's Two Blackberry's

    I believe one is for official use, the other for strictly personal use. I think I would prefer it that way too.
    ITenquirer
    Reply 1 Vote

  • Dunno why he needs so many phones

    Lotsa mistresses perhaps? Maybe a direct secure line per cabinet member?
    flyguy29
    Reply 1 Vote

    • or

      Your own hateful partisan wishful thinking
      D.J. 43
      Reply 4 Votes

    • They're "Obama phones"

      You know the "free ones" the so-called Minorities are getting at our expense.
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjAjAvxDkfk
      Troll Hunter J
      Reply 1 Vote

      • Ohh from the program Reagan started?

        I guess the "Reagan-Phone" just doesn't have the same ring to it huh (pun intended)? Try getting your information from somewhere other that youtube dummy.
        mrefuman
        Reply 2 Votes

        • Commuications act of 1934

          FDR proposed the legislation for land line phones in every house for emergency use. Reagan implemented some of those policies for phone lines to housing for emergency use. Obama implemented phone service and cell phones to voting constituents and lax policies for communicating with anyone (even outside of emergency use.) If you wish to subvert all hypocrisy please check how it was first Clinton who used the technology and law for cellphones and how Obama much expanded it for votes. Check all this on Wikapedia and other informative sights.
          partman1969@...
          Reply 1 Vote

      • White Men are now the minority

        In the off chance that you can actually read, I'd suggest reading this: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303879604577408363003351818.html
        T1Oracle
        Reply Vote

  • notice the dell laptop

    It has a red sticker on it meaning its on classified network.

    Yes I'm sure the ipad is used but it's motely on public WiFi only for casual web browsing/news paper website/ twittering. Its doubtful that any important stuff will ever go on with the iPad.
    Samic
    Reply 3 Votes
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