WASHINGTON — The nation’s commander-in-geek will finally get his new, souped-up, high-security BlackBerry, it was reported last night.
PHOTOS: President Obama In TIME Magazine
The Washington Times said the president’s top-secret BlackBerry 8830 is in the final stages of development by the National Security Agency, which has to make sure the device’s new encryption software meets federal standards.
Obama, an unrepentant BlackBerry addict who for security reasons had to give up his old one when he became president, could get the new gadget in the next few months — and he won’t be alone. Top aides and First Lady Michelle Obama also are expected to receive the 8830.
The new encryption software is called SecureVoice, developed by Genesis Key Inc. of Washington. It can turn any BlackBerry 8830 or Curve into a top-secret device for handling phone calls, e-mail and video streaming, as well as Internet access.
There was other good news for Obama yesterday: A near-majority of Americans believes the country is finally on the “right track” as he approaches the end of his first 100 days in office.
The percentage of people saying the country is going in the right direction hit 48 percent, compared with 44 percent who think it’s on the wrong track — the first favorable ratio in four years, according to a new AP-GfK poll.
Last October, only 17 percent said the country was on the right track.