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Monday, November 17, 2008
Could you give up your CrackBerry?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Doug Mills/The New York Times
Barack Obama inherits a troubled economy, will have a new puppy to house-train and his mother-in-law might move in with him.
But that’s not all.
The nation’s new prez will have to give up his beloved BlackBerry.
Obama’s affinity for the device has been documented throughout the campaign. He’s been photographed countless times checking messages - the picture above shows Obama walking and Blackberrying, if that’s a word. This summer, the AP reports, cameras caught him checking his BlackBerry during his daughter’s soccer game. The nation’s next first lady swatted her husband, who put the device away.
Does that sound familiar? Amy Ellerbee Johnson of Cobb County has found the BlackBerry not just addicting, but something of a gateway drug to Facebook, which users can check and update from their mobile devices.
“I carry my BlackBerry around with me constantly,” she said. “It just makes my facebook addiction worse!”
(Full disclosure: we posted a query on Facebook and received her response there - via her BlackBerry, naturally.)
Because Obama’s e-mail correspondence would be public under the Presidential Records Act, he’ll likely bag the BlackBerry during his time in the White House.
President Bush, citing security and privacy concerns, doesn’t e-mail, either.
Here in the ATL, we wish Q100’s Jeff Dauler luck as he attempts life without the BlackBerry. (We’d e-mail to see how it’s going but wonder when he’d get the message?)
Dauler: Say no to CrackBerry. He’s gone wireless-less
NEO at the Mansion has responded to our city’s love affair with gadgets by introducing monthly Unplugged dinners, where the butler guards your BlackBerry while you dine without messaging. The next Unplugged is Nov. 19.
Do you have a CrackBerry addiction you’re trying to kick? Anyone have tips for the new president on how he can part ways with his precious PDA?
