Despite calling Apple's iPad, among other modern-day entertainment gadgets, and referring it as a distraction less than a year ago, guess what Mr. President is a proud owner of one.
As The Wall Street Journal reports, Obama detailed that fact during a town hall meeting with Spanish-language network Univision, which took place earlier today.
During an interview with Univision anchor Jorge Ramos, Obama said he does in fact have an iPad, and even tethers it to his high-security BlackBerry cell phone.
Obama also noted that he owns his own computer, joking to Ramos and the audience about the idea of him having to borrow one from someone else:
Ramos: Not long ago I was having a conversation with my son. He's only 12 years old, and he couldn't believe that I grew up in a world where there were no cell phones, no Internet, no computers. (Laughter.) So do you have your BlackBerry with you, or do you have an iPhone? What do you have?
Obama: You know, I took my BlackBerry off for this show, because I didn't want it going off, and that would be really embarrassing. But usually I carry a BlackBerry around.
Ramos: Do you have an iPad?
Obama: I do have an iPad.
Ramos: Your own [a] computer?
Obama: I've got my own computer.
Ramos: Very well. (Laughter.)
Obama: I mean, Jorge, I'm the President of the United States. You think I've got a -- (laughter and applause) -- you think I've got to go borrow somebody's computer? (Laughter.) Hey, man, can I borrow your computer? (Laughter.) How about you? You've got one?
The President is however no stranger to the iPad and has even been spotted signing the popular device. Bystanders even asked the President to autograph their iPads during recent political events in Washington and Portugal. During the most recent signing, the President said, “Sign my iPad, I’ve done this once before.” In both cases the Secret Service seemed somewhat hesitant but that didn’t stop the President from putting his John Hancock on the high-tech device.
In a commencement speech to students of Hampton University last May, Obama admitted to not knowing how to work Apple's iPod or iPad, or Microsoft's Xbox and Sony's PlayStation game consoles.
Obama had also referred to the devices as turning information into a "distraction, a diversion," and "a form of entertainment" that kept people from empowering themselves.
Maybe it's the fact that the iPad 2 has just come out, or maybe it's because Obama and Steve Jobs had dinner together that inspired the President to change his mind.
As The Wall Street Journal reports, Obama detailed that fact during a town hall meeting with Spanish-language network Univision, which took place earlier today.
During an interview with Univision anchor Jorge Ramos, Obama said he does in fact have an iPad, and even tethers it to his high-security BlackBerry cell phone.
Obama also noted that he owns his own computer, joking to Ramos and the audience about the idea of him having to borrow one from someone else:
Ramos: Not long ago I was having a conversation with my son. He's only 12 years old, and he couldn't believe that I grew up in a world where there were no cell phones, no Internet, no computers. (Laughter.) So do you have your BlackBerry with you, or do you have an iPhone? What do you have?
Obama: You know, I took my BlackBerry off for this show, because I didn't want it going off, and that would be really embarrassing. But usually I carry a BlackBerry around.
Ramos: Do you have an iPad?
Obama: I do have an iPad.
Ramos: Your own [a] computer?
Obama: I've got my own computer.
Ramos: Very well. (Laughter.)
Obama: I mean, Jorge, I'm the President of the United States. You think I've got a -- (laughter and applause) -- you think I've got to go borrow somebody's computer? (Laughter.) Hey, man, can I borrow your computer? (Laughter.) How about you? You've got one?
The President is however no stranger to the iPad and has even been spotted signing the popular device. Bystanders even asked the President to autograph their iPads during recent political events in Washington and Portugal. During the most recent signing, the President said, “Sign my iPad, I’ve done this once before.” In both cases the Secret Service seemed somewhat hesitant but that didn’t stop the President from putting his John Hancock on the high-tech device.
In a commencement speech to students of Hampton University last May, Obama admitted to not knowing how to work Apple's iPod or iPad, or Microsoft's Xbox and Sony's PlayStation game consoles.
Obama had also referred to the devices as turning information into a "distraction, a diversion," and "a form of entertainment" that kept people from empowering themselves.
Maybe it's the fact that the iPad 2 has just come out, or maybe it's because Obama and Steve Jobs had dinner together that inspired the President to change his mind.
