Tag: blackberries

Recent rumors on Reddit suggest that Blackberry may be making a comeback with a new phone through a startup. However, sources indicate a confidentiality agreement has been signed, preventing the disclosure of the startup's brand name or design details. Blackberry actually announced its withdrawal from the mobile phone market in 2016, subsequently licensing its brand to China's TCL for phone manufacturing. After terminating this partnership with TCL in February 2020, it announced a licensing agreement with Texas-based startup Onward Mobility. While Onward Mobility planned to launch a Blackberry-branded phone with 5G connectivity, it ultimately went bankrupt in 2022. Consequently, the planned Blackberry-branded phone, developed in collaboration with Foxconn's FIH Mobile, failed to reach the market. Furthermore, in 2022, Blackberry announced the sale of its mobile device-related patent assets to Catapult IP Innovations for $600 million, effectively withdrawing from the mobile phone market. The recent news circulating on Reddit suggests that a startup is preparing to release a phone designed based on classic Blackberry models. The phone is rumored to support 5G connectivity, an AMOLED display, 12GB of RAM, and 256GB or 512GB of storage. It will reportedly run Android 15, incorporate generative AI features, and feature a capacitive keyboard. The original post on the forum has since been deleted, possibly at the request of the authorities, but it could also simply be unfounded speculation. Even if a startup does acquire Blackberry design assets and plans to create a new phone, it may simply be a phone similar to previous Blackberry models, and might not even use the Blackberry brand name.

BlackBerry announced that its current CEO, John Chen, will retire on November 4th, and will be succeeded by board member Richard Lynch as the new CEO. BlackBerry stated that this personnel change was finalized following the implementation of Project Imperium and the spin-off of its Internet of Things (IoT) and cybersecurity division. Richard Lynch will assume the chairmanship of the board. Chen has served as BlackBerry's CEO since 2013, witnessing the company's transformation from a focus on mobile phones to IoT applications, and its subsequent decision to discontinue its mobile phone business. Richard Lynch also joined the BlackBerry board in 2013, prior to which he served as chief technology officer at Verizon Communications and Verizon Wireless.

In May of this year, Morgan Stanley and Weinberg Partners, acting as strategic advisors, assessed that splitting BlackBerry into two companies—an Internet of Things (IoT) company and a cybersecurity company—would be more beneficial for its future development. Following this assessment, BlackBerry plans to spin off its IoT business and list it on the stock exchange in the first half of fiscal year 2024. BlackBerry believes that spinning off the IoT business will allow the company to focus more on its cybersecurity business and make it easier for investors to assess the performance and potential of its core business. The spun-off IoT business will become an independent company and is planned to be listed on the stock exchange in the first half of BlackBerry's fiscal year 2024. BlackBerry was previously known for its phones with full QWERTY physical buttons and its proprietary security technology, which initially attracted many business professionals and government officials. However, with the rapid development of the smartphone market, BlackBerry failed to adapt its business model in time and thus fell behind Apple and Google as they aggressively expanded their reach. Although BlackBerry later planned to reshape the smartphone market with a completely new approach, it ultimately had to split up its mobile phone business and focus on network and IoT security. At the same time, it partnered with automotive groups such as BMW, Bosch, Continental, Honda, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, Volkswagen, Volvo, and Chinese companies Dongfeng and Zhejiang Geely in the automotive industry.

Following the release of its Jelly series smartphones with a mere 2.45-inch screen, the Chinese startup Unihertz recently revealed via its official Twitter account that it will be launching a new phone with physical buttons. Previously, Unihertz released phones like the TiTAN, which featured a QWERTY button design similar to Blackberry. Phone Arena reports that this new phone will draw inspiration from the Blackberry Key 2 and will support 5G connectivity. Based on currently released images, the new phone may feature PC connectivity, and Unihertz expects to launch it in the first half of this year. In addition to small-screen phones and Blackberry-like devices, Unihertz has also previously released rugged phones like the ATOM, catering to diverse user needs. Something is coming soon...Just stay tuned! 😜📺https://t.co/KalQX2pyDN #unihertz #smartphone #newphone #newarrivals pic.twitter.com/aghVgIdP3L — Unihertz (@Unihertz) April 7, 2022

BlackBerry, once a dominant force in the smartphone market, has announced that it will discontinue the availability of BlackBerry 7.1 OS and earlier versions, as well as BlackBerry 10 and BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.1 and earlier updates, after January 4, 2022. This means that data security will no longer be guaranteed for BlackBerry devices using these operating system versions when connected to regular wireless networks. While current BlackBerry devices can still be powered on and function, basic functions such as calls, messages, and emergency calls will no longer be available. Mobile internet access, Wi-Fi transfers, and other BlackBerry-related services and apps will also be unavailable due to the termination of security encryption services on the BlackBerry platform. This signifies the end of the glorious history of BlackBerry phones. In 2016, facing significant competitive pressure from the rise of numerous smartphone brands, BlackBerry ultimately decided to abandon its hardware business and focus entirely on software development. The original phone hardware design and manufacturing will continue through a brand licensing agreement with TCL. However, BlackBerry announced the termination of its partnership with TCL in February 2020. Subsequently, it announced a licensing agreement with Onward Mobility, a startup based in Texas, USA, allowing BlackBerry phones to continue production. However, without BlackBerry's software support, it's clear that only nostalgia remains. Therefore, for many loyal users who have long used BlackBerry phones, the history of BlackBerry phones has finally come to an end.

BlackBerry Mobile's official Twitter account confirmed earlier that, starting August 31st of this year, it will no longer authorize TCL to design, manufacture, or sell any BlackBerry-branded phones. TCL announced in late 2016 that it had obtained a license from BlackBerry to manufacture and sell BlackBerry-branded phones, and has since launched the BlackBerry KeyOne and BlackBerry Key2 models. Although the operating system has changed from BlackBerry to Android, it still attracts many loyal BlackBerry users. However, with continued competition from numerous mobile phone brands and increased emphasis on user privacy and security, BlackBerry phones, which originally emphasized data security, have become less competitive in the market, leading BlackBerry to reassess whether to retain its mobile phone business. The announcement of terminating its cooperation with TCL clearly indicates that BlackBerry is preparing to completely withdraw from the mobile phone business and shift towards a software-centric security technology strategy. It is also collaborating with mobile phone brands like Samsung on technology licensing and anticipates applying its security technologies to the Internet of Things, connected vehicles, and even the future widespread adoption of quantum computing. This announcement marks the termination of the partnership with TCL, but TCL will continue to provide warranty and repair services for BlackBerry phones still in use. pic.twitter.com/jhcfVHjVqL — BlackBerry Mobile (@BBMobile) February 3, 2020

BlackBerry, which hasn't released a new phone in a while, is rumored to be preparing to launch a new phone codenamed "Adula" and expected to be model "BBI100" at MWC 2019. (The image shows the BlackBerry Key2.) However, since BlackBerry brand phones are currently manufactured by TCL in China, Optiemus in India, and BB Merah Putih in Indonesia, it's not yet confirmed which manufacturer will produce the new phone. But related information suggests that the new BlackBerry phone codenamed "Adula" may be manufactured by Optiemus. Previously, Optiemus released two full-touchscreen models, the BlackBerry Evolve and BlackBerry Evolve X, and launched them in the Indian market. The high-end models BlackBerry KEYone, BlackBerry KEY2, and BlackBerry KEY2 LE were manufactured by TCL in China.

Earlier this year at CES 2018, it was revealed that TCL would be launching at least two new BlackBerry-branded phones with physical QWERTY buttons. Documents released by China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) have revealed the specific appearance of TCL's upcoming KEY2 phone, codenamed "Athena" (the Greek goddess of war). Compared to the previously released KEYone, the BlackBerry KEY2 from TCL is expected to be thinner and lighter, but still features physical QWERTY buttons, and the screen supports touch operation. Additionally, a physical button appears to have been added to the right side of the phone, perhaps allowing users to quickly access specific functions. The back of the phone features a dual-camera module. It is currently unclear when TCL plans to officially announce this new phone, but it is expected to leverage the success of the KEYone to attract a wider user base and continue to garner support through the distinctive BlackBerry style. Regarding the operating system, while BlackBerry hasn't explicitly stated whether it will cease development of operating systems beyond BlackBerry 10, it has confirmed that its current focus will be on the Android platform. Therefore, expecting the return of the old BlackBerry mobile operating system may be a considerable wait. Thus, the BlackBerry currently developed by TCL, which holds the brand rights, will continue to prioritize the Android operating system. This development decision may not be welcomed by heavy BlackBerry users.

Although BlackBerry has recently confirmed it will cease manufacturing mobile phone hardware and focus on operating system licensing in the future, several previously confirmed BlackBerry models will continue to be released. Following the release of the DTEK50, based on the Alcatel Idol 4, BlackBerry has announced the hardware-upgraded DTEK60, also based on the Alcatel Idol 4S. The DTEK60 features a 5.5-inch 2K resolution screen, a metal frame, and a glass front and back body. It is equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor, a 3000mAh battery, a 2100-megapixel main camera, and supports QuickCharge 3.0 fast charging technology. It uses a USB Type-C port and runs Android 6.0, with future upgrades to Android 7.0. In addition to the Android architecture, BlackBerry has also incorporated its security technologies into the DTE60, providing integrated hardware and software protection, and includes BlackBerry's service suite. Previously, BlackBerry had confirmed that it would abandon the development of mobile phone hardware products and focus on software technology development in the future, including the original BlackBerry operating system and related security technologies. As for hardware products, they will be manufactured by other OEMs through brand licensing.