Many Americans are glued to their BlackBerrys - and President Barack Obama is, too.
For students, Obama's use of the smartphone and other new media represents more than just an e-mail addiction - it signals his connection with the next generation.
"Among the many molds that Obama is trying to break, him stepping into the 21st century with all the technology he's incorporating adds to his image as being modern and well-connected," College junior Megan Calpin said.
Other students agreed the technology shows Obama wants to stay on top of what's going on.
"I think Obama's efforts say something about his strong commitment and responsibility," College junior Melissa Metelits said.
And although Wharton sophomore Amol Amin said he himself has avoided the "BlackBerry craze," he said he thinks Obama's use of technology helps keep him from "getting trapped in the bubble that many say Bush lived in."
For the new West Wing staffers, coming to the technologically backward White House is "kind of like going from an Xbox to an Atari," said Obama's spokesman Bill Burton.
Finding six-year-old versions of Microsoft software on White House computers was a rude awakening for a campaign staff that used Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, YouTube, Gmail and countless other Web tools.
But the single-biggest technological roadblock came before the new administration even took office - and involved the President himself.
Having been told he would have to surrender his coveted BlackBerry when he began his duties in the Oval Office, Obama, mimicking the feelings of millions of "CrackBerry" users, declared the Secret Service would have to pry the device out of his hands.
His eventual victory did not come without limitations, as Obama can only send and receive e-mail to a limited number of pre-approved addresses.
This comes as a sharp departure from the e-mailing habits of his predecessor - former President George W. Bush signed offline before taking office and did not e-mail during his term.
Meanwhile, The New York Times recently explained that the very public battle Obama waged to keep his BlackBerry is worth anywhere from $25 million to $50 million as an endorsement for the product.
Wharton Marketing professor John Hutchinson summed it all up, saying, "It's in the 'you can't buy that kind of advertising' category. [It's] better than Tickle-Me-Elmo on [The Rosie O'Donnell Show] in '96."
Most importantly, Obama's use of technology speaks to his connection with the public.
"It signals that he knows what's going on," said College sophomore Alan-Michael Hill. "I think it's yet another symbol that shows how and why people identify with him."
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