Why Obama can't use an iPhone

Why can't President Barack Obama use an iPhone?
"I'm not allowed, for security reasons, to have an iPhone," Obama told a White House audience yesterday (Dec. 4), according to Agence France-Presse. Instead, the news agency said, Obama has to stick to his BlackBerry, a valued brand in Washington due to its strict security controls and strong encryption.
That's not the entire story, however. BlackBerrys also offer a high level of organizational control and security that few other smartphones can match.
MORE: 7 Best Smartphones on the Market Now
Command and control
Obama's model almost certainly sends and receives all its email and instant messages through a BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES), an in-house email forwarder controlled by the user's organization. Each BlackBerry-issuing organization can set its own security rules and procedures, and you can assume that the White House's would be pretty tough.
Consumer BlackBerrys, in contrast, send and receive messages through the BlackBerry company's own servers, which are fairly secure, but out of the White House and National Security Agency's controls - and, because BlackBerry is a Canadian company, often outside of the United States as well.
Most iPhones and Android phones route email and instant messages through each message service's own servers - Apple for iCloud and Messages, Google for Gmail and Google Talk, Yahoo for Yahoo Mail and Yahoo Messenger - rather than through any single central control point.
Numerous reports from 2009 indicated that some months after taking office as president, Obama received a customized BlackBerry 8830 World Edition smartphone from BlackBerry maker Research In Motion. (The Waterloo, Ontario, company has since changed its name to BlackBerry.)
The handset reportedly incorporated voice-encryption software developed by the National Security Agency. Since Obama's phone is apparently one of a kind, there's a good chance that even more secure hardware-based encryption is also onboard.
Between his inauguration and the delivery of his custom BlackBerry, multiple reports indicated Obama may have used the military-grade Sectera Edge smartphone made by General Dynamics, though we couldn't find any photos of him using one.
Photo evidence
There are, however, dozens of photos from Obama's first term showing him checking email on what appears to be a BlackBerry 8830, and one from a trip abroad that shows him speaking into a BlackBerry Curve 8900. An Associated Press photo from Obama's second inauguration in January 2013 shows him checking messages on what looks like a flatter-bodied, later-model BlackBerry Q10.
Obama reportedly uses an email address known only to a dozen or so close aides and family members. Other reports state that each incoming email message is manually screened for malware and malicious links.
What few photos show is Obama actually speaking on a BlackBerry. Instead, when the president has been photographed speaking on a cellphone outside the White House or his presidential limousine, he's almost always using a flip or slider feature phone, possibly belonging to an aide or campaign worker.
It may be that the president isn't allowed to speak on his BlackBerry outside of controlled environments. BlackBerry voice calls are normally handled by regular cellular carriers, not a BES, but the White House and presidential limousine may have their own cellular networks.
As for feature phones, those relatively primitive models are more difficult to infect with malware or spyware than more sophisticated smartphones.
While the president may be forbidden from handling an iPhone, he does have an iPad, reportedly given to him personally by then- Apple chief Steve Jobs. It's a safe bet that iPad connects only to the White House Wi-Fi network.

'Angry Birds Go' review -- the birds hit the track

The old saying "You get what you pay for" is usually fairly reliable. But it's not the case with the free game "Angry Birds Go," for hiding under the tacky adverts and the pushing of paid content is an extremely addictive and well-developed racer.
Known for puzzle games in which you hurl birds at unsuspecting green pigs, Rovio has a new title that transplants the Angry Birds onto a Mario-Kart style cartoon racer complete with obstacles and power ups. But does this rapid change of pace succeed?
[sidebar]
"Go" is the first Angry Birds game to be entirely free-to-play, with previous titles that cost $1.99 or $2.99 with a scattering of optional in-app purchases sitting on the sidelines. As it is entirely free, "Go" predictably pushes the in-app purchases much harder, and includes some paid advertisements that take away from the experience somewhat. But the result isn't as jarring as it could be - and Rovio can be applauded for creating a free-to-play game that avoids full blown pay-walls.
At the heart of any successful free-to-play game is a solid game mechanic, and Rovio has done well, combining stunning graphics with simple yet fun gameplay. Rovio have wisely dropped acceleration and braking from this touch-screen title; the player just needs to steer and drift through tracks. Although it's no Mario Kart killer, it's pretty good for a free game.
Each track is split into a number of sections including one-on-one races, multiple player races and races against the clock.
Additionally, each character has its own power, from exploding like a bomb to a simple speed boost. Although effects are fairly negligible, it makes unlocking new characters something to look forward to. Meanwhile speed, acceleration and handling are all dealt with through the kart. Karts can be bought and upgraded using in game coins, although some are bought only using real money.
It's kart upgrades that forms the meat of the game, bought by in-game coins won with races. Races require a certain level in order to compete, and this could easily spell repetitive drudgery and grind. However, repeating races introduces new challenges. They can be as mundane as "finish first" or as wild as "finish the race without a kart," but add a welcome twist to already completed stages.
However, it doesn't prevent a certain amount of grind from sneaking into the game. While the traditional Angry Birds formula constantly introduced new features and twists at every level, "Angry Birds Go" innovates at a much slower rate. It can leave a sense of dreariness at times that was lacking in previous games.
That being said, I've been playing "Angry Birds Go" for a week now, and I'm still playing it at every possible opportunity. Like previous games, "Go" has that hidden hook that keeps drawing you back in, and Rovio has worked out that the best way to make a free-to-play game is to hook players so they keep coming back, making them more inclined to spend money on power ups and game extenders.
Although the game limits you to five lives per bird (a new life is generated every 20 minutes), once you collect a few birds, you will be able to play comfortably for a good 20 minutes without having to spend money, around the same time that five lives on Candy Crush will normally last.
Special gems used to purchase lives are available within game (albeit rarely) as well, so it is possible to store them up for those times you find yourself stuck at the post office with more time on your hands than usual.
Also worth mention are the plastic "Telepod" toys that you can purchased. These work on their own as traditional toys for kids, along with the racing sets that can be bought. However, they also scan into most mobile devices, unlocking new karts and races. It's a great way of adding a new angle for youngsters.
On that note, parents who hand over their mobile device to Junior should make sure that he doesn't have the password to the account. Some of the in-app purchases are eye-wateringly high -- one kart costs $50, and one bundle of gems is $100 (with a "best value" sign attached to it).
Rovio's dabblings in both the free-to-play and karting genres is a great success. Although a few tacky in-app purchases and some repetitiveness tarnish the experience somewhat, the vast majority of the game is a well-designed, highly polished title beaming with character. "Go" and download it!

You Will Never Own The Gold 24 karat Gold HTC 1

The 24kt Gold plated HTC 1. Valued at over $2500, this is actually one of the few available in the world. Apple and Samsung may have gold coloured smartphones but HTC has upped the ante with phones plated in actual gold. Back in October, HTC Uk relesed 5 limited edition 18kt gold plated HTC 1s selling for about £2,750.
Now HTC USA is getting in on the gilded trend with a 24kt gold version of the HTC 1. Now before you start saving your Naira its important to know that the phone is very exclusive in fact thats a picture of the only one available in North America and HTC is actualy giving away 2 of these in a contest that runs through the New Year.

Gadgets To Get For Your Friends This Christmas.

When it comes to tech gadgets as holiday gifts, the familiar is always popular.
Apple iPads. Samsung Galaxys. Eighty-four-inch LED TVs with a 3-D, 4K ultra-high definition picture, four built-in speakers and smartphone control.
OK, so that last one might be a little pricey. (It would also be popular.)
Still, you almost certainly know about the new iPad Air. You probably also know about the new PS4 and Xbox One gaming consoles.
But have you considered a portable solar array? Or some electric paint? Or a camera that creates a visual diary of your life?
Take a glance at our holiday gift gallery above. We hope it offers some interesting ideas that go beyond the usual roundups of phones and tablets.
And if you have some ideas of your own, let us know in the comments. We'll be checking them twice. (Prices listed are full retail, but you can probably do better.)

Goodbye To An Icon : Nelson Mandela Dies at 95

Well, he had a good run, Nelson Mandela passed away today and we would like to say that he was a great man who stood by his beliefs regardless of the consequences. May his precious soul rest in perfect peace.

----------
Have something to add? Share it in the comments

Can Blackberry Make A Big Comeback With the Soon-to-Be Released Blackberry A10?

To say that the competition in the smartphone market is fierce would be putting things mildly. So far this year, we've witnessed the launch of several high end devices including the Samsung S4 », Blackberry Z10 and Q series and the HTC One. In the coming months, Apple is also set to unleash its highly anticipated iPhone 5s phones while HTC will also roll out the HTC One mini. With consumers sprung for choices, industry watchers project that at the end of the day, it will boil down to a game of survival of the fittest brand.

With the Nigerian market however, things differ slightly as Blackberry still remains the device of first choice for the majority of smartphone users. But with the growing popularity of android devices and with Blackberry Messenger; the flagship app of Blackberry, soon to be made available on other non Blackberry devices can Blackberry still retain its hold on the smartphone market in Nigeria and indeed the rest of the world?

Around the world, Blackberry has recorded a significant drop in sales and the company has tried several major marketing ploys to boost its sales including appointing Grammy-award winning musician, Alicia Keys as Global Creative Director in January but the feedback is still largely lukewarm with the general verdict being that Blackberry still has some major ground to cover mostly because it offers much less consumer satisfaction (unexciting apps/features and lacklustre durability) compared to other smartphones. With the introduction of the high-end Blackberry A10 device, the smartphone company will attempt to recapture lost ground while infusing the much-needed pizzaz and user-friendliness which other brands currently offer.

Although a release date for the all-new Blackberry A10 has not been announced, we recently got hold of specifications of the A10 as well as images and a high-resolution video demonstration (done in Vietnamese) of its functions. The device amongst other features has a 5-inch AMOLED display screen as opposed to the 4.2 inch/3.1 inch screen of the Z10 and Q10 respectively. It also has an 8-megapixel rear camera, a 2-megapixel front camera, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage and a 2,800 mAh battery. With the screen size and dual-camera, we are reminded of the Samsung S4, but with all of these and other features, can Blackberry really get the fortune turnaround it so desperately needs?

Pls drop your comments

10 Things You Didn't Know About the iPad Air

Its been three years since the original iPad » was launched to the world by Apple » and till date they continue to improve on it. Currently in the market, there is the iPad 1, 2, 3, 4 and now the latest addition to the collection; iPad Air.

»

If there's anything Apple is known for, its their innovation and design and with the latest iPad Air, its evident that the good people at Apple have taken note of every shortcoming of previous iPads and improved on them to produce a state-of-the-art gadget.

Here's 10 new features to expect from the all-new iPad Air:

1.The iPad Air is thinner ( thinner than the iPhone 5s) smaller, faster and incredibly lighter than its predecessors

2.It comes in two colours; space gray and silver

3. It's edges are sharper but still have rounded angles on its back. It also has a higher resolution (3.1 million megapixels) than the previous iPad.

4. The speakers are a little better than iPads of previous generations.

5. The sound made while tapping on the iPad Air's screen is also different from the others.

6. The iPad Air goes for around $500 ( about N80,000)

7. On the down side, the slim nature of the iPad Air makes it more fragile than other iPads.

8. It comes with the latest iOS 7

9. The battery life is set to last about ten hours.

10. iPad Air comes in four storage sizes: 16GB, 32GB, 64GB, and 128GB with a RAM of 1GB

The iPad Air may be pricey but its totally worth it!

Mozilla Firefox's SmartPhone : ZTE Open

Mozilla Firefox, popularly known to be behind their web browser decided to make their own smartphone called 'ZTE Open' and it comes with its own operating system. Though its not as high-tech as the Google android devices and the iPhones it performs well too, and considering the fact that its only the first model, Mozilla is likely to improve on the model and design as time goes on. Mozilla Executive Mitchell Baker stated that the ZTE Open is targeted at consumers in developing countries of the world. 

Pros 
•Web-based Firefox OS platform easy to create apps for,
•Very cheap for a full smartphone
•small and light
•good battery life
•MicroSD slot available

Cons
•Inaccurate touch keyboard
•Low-resolution screen
•3.15 mega pixel Mediocre camera with no flash.
•MicroSD card not included
•low sound quality

'Ivee' : The Gadget That Listens

Ivee is a voice activated device that is powered by Wi-Fi. Its is called the voice controlled alarm clock but it is so much more than that, it has fantastic features that make it a must have gadget. Here are 13 of its incredible features.

»

Features:

• It controls the devices in your home that are powered by the internet

• It functions as an alarm clock and radio

• It comes with a light and temperature sensor

• It has a built in rechargeable battery

• It has a speaker and microphone

• It posseses over a hundred megabytes of memory

• It can read you the news

• To give it a command, you have to say 'hello Ivee' first

• You can talk to the 'Ivee from 15feet away

• When the Ivee hears a voice command it is translated to a language processing server which further converts signal to text and then the action is carried out

• When you set a reminder, Ivee texts you the details to ensure you dont forget when the time comes

• Ivee can also regulate temperature within a home

• Ultimately, the device is also very helpful for the visually impaired

Amazon's Drone Delivery System; Will it Work?

Imaginations everywhere have been stoked since Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos announced his company plans to start offering 30-minute deliveries via drone-like "octocopters."
What's not fascinating about a near future in which fleets of whirring sky robots can drop our every impulse buy on our doorstep faster than we can get Chinese delivered? (You know, aside from accidental strayings into restricted air space or the rise of the machines.)
But when Bezos took to "60 Minutes" on Sunday to introduce the world to Amazon Prime Air, his idea prompted more questions than it provided answers.
So how close are we, really, to door-to-door drones becoming a reality? And how would they work?
We reached out to Amazon, where official details are still scarce, and chatted with drone expert Missy Cummings, an associate professor at MIT and one of the Navy's first female fighter pilots. Here's some of what we've been able to piece together on a project that Amazon says is, at the very least, a couple of years away from takeoff.
Could drones really be delivering packages by 2015?
That's what Bezos said is the best possible scenario. But Cummings, a longtime advocate for the commercial use of drones, thinks that's optimistic.
The Federal Aviation Administration needs to sign off on Amazon's flight plans, and Cummings says the agency hasn't been quick to move on the domestic use of drones.
"I think they (Amazon) are stepping out in a typically naive way, (but) maybe they have some secret insight to the FAA that I don't have," she said.
Cummings predicts the company will get approval to start Prime Air in other countries before the United States, but she says that having a retail and technology giant like Amazon pushing for it could speed things up for everyone."I don't want anybody to think this is right around the corner," Bezos warned during the "60 Minutes" interview.
How will I know if I'm eligible for a drone visit?
Bezos said the octocopters will have a 10-mile radius. So, it's likely that folks in big cities near Amazon distribution sites would be a lot more likely to qualify than those in more remote areas.
He says they'll initially carry items up to five pounds, which is roughly 86% of all deliveries Amazon makes.
The best Twitter jokes about Amazon's drones
But for even that 10-mile range to work, Amazon better be onto something about battery life that the rest of us don't know. Cummings said drones the size of the octocopters have a battery life of about 30 minutes, and the weight of their cargo could make that even shorter.
What will keep people from shooting them down?
OK, it's perhaps a little off-topic. But every single conversation we've had about the Amazon drones has, at some point, ended up focused on the innate human desire to knock stuff out of the sky, preferably with a loud bang.
Cummings joked about producing a reality show in which marksmen from different states compete to see how many octocopter targets they can bag. At least, we're pretty sure it was a joke.
Perhaps not surprisingly, Amazon doesn't directly address its drones becoming high-tech clay pigeons in a statement about safety."The FAA is actively working on rules and an approach for unmanned aerial vehicles that will prioritize public safety. Safety will be our top priority, and our vehicles will be built with multiple redundancies and designed to commercial aviation standards," the statement reads.
But Cummings says it's a real issue.
"It's not just people who hate drones," she said. "It's people who want those packages."
She speculated the drones will need to fly at an altitude of at least 300 feet for as long as possible to avoid attracting pot shots from target shooters or thieves. She also envisions safe "drop spots," at least at first, instead of delivery to any address within range.
"There are lots of details that need to be worked out, but nothing that is technologically overwhelming," she said.
Will the drones work when the weather is bad?
Amazon's official statement doesn't address this obvious question. But Cummings says that to make the drones reliable in most weather conditions, Amazon would need to improve on currently available technology.
"They can fly in some precipitation, but certainly not heavy precipitation," she said. "Sleet or snow ... would obscure some of the sensors. It's hard to make it a really solid business if the weather holds you back. They're going to have to work on that."
What could come next?
Amazon isn't the only company at least toying with the idea of using unmanned aerial vehicles for commercial purposes. Domino's posted video of the "DomiCopter" delivering two pizzas in the United Kingdom earlier this year. In June, the Burrito Bomber, the creation of a couple of engineers from Yelp, demoed its ability to fly that tasty treat to your doorstep as well.