Obama May Inaugurate Windows Mobile On January 20th

The BlackBerry-toting President-Elect may have to give up his CrackBerry addiction for Windows Mobile. About a week ago, our own Stephen Skarlatos had recommended the President-Elect use a device from General Dynamics Sectera Edge, and now the mainstream press and blogosphere has picked up on the story, suggesting the same.

The Sectera Edge seems to be a variant of Windows CE, the core platform behind Windows Mobile, and seems to be a fatter cousin of the Treo 750, offering secure, encrypted voice and data communications for the President. The interface on the Sectera Edge may have a customized version of Windows CE on it, though that wasn't listed on the specs.

Popular gadget blog CNET is running the story now, citing security reasons why BlackBerry devices are not up to the task for the White House:

1. GPS: GPS coordinates could reveal the location of the user; Bush White House aids have to turn off the GPS feature on their devices.

2. Virus: Spyware can infect BlackBerry devices to toggle the microphone and record call conversations.

3. Vulnerabilities: BlackBerry devices suffer from 14 security vulnerabilities as identified from the National Vulnerability Database.

How much does this device cost tax-payers? Just under $3,500, and still not as slick nor sexy as current Windows Mobile or BlackBerry devices on the market today.

Since Obama has been, according to the NY Times, BlackBerry's priceless unpaid spokesperson, could his presence on Windows Mobile usher in revived interest in the platform, just in time to kick off Windows Mobile 7?