BlackBerry One
US President-elect Barack Obama has been widely reported as reluctant to give up his trusty BlackBerry when he takes office in a few weeks time (see Chicago Tribune or Gizmodo for example).
However, news has now emerged that Research in Motion (‘RIM’) is working with US Government agencies to create “BlackBerry One”, specifically for the future President’s use. Based on Obama’s preferred model, the BlackBerry 8700c, BlackBerry One will be an ultra-secure handset that also complies with the Presidential Records Act, the main reason why Obama is being asked to give up the device when he assumes power.
A technical team from RIM has been seconded to the State Department, and they are creating a completely unique encryption algorithm for the BlackBerry One, and also designing a stand-alone BlackBerry Enterprise Server for deployment within the Pentagon, with a redundant server to be housed in the White House’s bunker.
It’s believed that only six units are being manufactured – all as back-up solely for the President’s use while in office – and, apart from unique encryption, the BlackBerry One will also feature two-factor authentication using voice biometrics and a remote self-destruct capability.
