Donald Trump has surrendered his Android phone [for a secure gov't phone]

The Verge ^ | 1/20/17 | Amar Toor

[markomalley]

Donald Trump has given up his beloved Android phone ahead of today’s inauguration, the Associated Press reports, though it is unclear what type of device he will use in the White House. According to The New York Times, Trump is now using a more secure, encrypted handset that was approved by the Secret Service. He also has a different phone number, the Times reports, citing people close to the president-elect.

Trump uses his Android phone to tweet, and he tweets a lot. He’s also been very accessible throughout the presidential campaign and transition, taking calls from reporters, politicians, and world leaders. Malcolm Turnbull, the prime minister of Australia, called Trump to congratulate him on his electoral victory after getting his cellphone number from professional golfer Greg Norman.

That kind of accessibility has made life difficult for Trump’s handlers, and it would have raised security concerns in the White House. It is unclear whether Trump will be given a modified BlackBerry, as president Obama was when he came into office. When he was elected in 2008, Obama publicly lobbied to keep his BlackBerry in the White House, contrary to the advice of lawyers and the Secret Service. The device he was eventually given had limited functionality, and only a small number of people knew his phone number or email address. (Obama eventually switched to a different phone.)

In November, The New York Times reported that Trump was concerned about having to give up his Android as president, and that he was worried about becoming “isolated” without it. According to the AP, Obama had a phone that allowed him to tweet from his official Twitter account, which Trump may find reassuring.

The Times reported this week that only a small group of people will have the number for Trump’s new phone, though it is unclear whether his Android phone will be physically confiscated. The Newseum has reached out to the Trump team about including his old phone in its collection, according to the AP, but the museum has not heard back yet.

[markomalley]

I don’t know what brand his was, but I would happily recommend mine to you: Blu Life One X2

- 64GB onboard storage
- 4GB RAM
- 8 core processor
- Full 1080P screen resolution on 5.2” Screen (Gorilla Glass)
- Dual SIM
- Onboard FM receiver
- 16MP main camera / 8 MP front-facing camera
- Unlocked
- LTE (including band 12) radio
- 3,000 mAH battery
- No bloatware

Literally the only complaint is that the battery is not replaceable.

Cost: $199 (free shipping either with or without Amazon Prime)

http://a.co/7Zi9OLt

Best phone I’ve ever owned.

[Grampa Dave]

Thanks, I have your phone on my possible list with Amazon.

Great recommendation. My current Android, an Alcatel Idol is a good one. It is one year old this month. I would prefer a little larger screen and your phone appears to be a good one. I use a lot of apps from the Google store.

My wife’s 3g Alcatel is going on 3 years old and on its third battery. Our adult children offered to get her a new I Phone 5s for Christmas. She would prefer to stick to a Google Android. She would like a faster phone. This might be a good one for her. She texts, uses her android as a phone and Google for info. She turned down a Fire HDs like the one given to me for Christmas. (I like my Fire HDs with the exception of not being able us the Google Play Store for apps.)

Thanks again for your time and recommendation.

[Grampa Dave]

Thanks. Interesting phone.

[CodeToad]

I have a Motorola Droid Turbo. It’s as good as anything else.

[Crucial]

If I hadn’t switched to Apple, I would have taken the word of a Freeper to help me choose an affordable, powerful, reliable Android phone. Why did I buy an iPhone? Limited choices with ATT and a the nightmare I went through when I bought the Sony Experia at about the price you paid.