BlackBerry model is coming again to the smartphone market as soon as once more. The revival is, nonetheless, courtesy a Texas startup named OnwardMobility that has expertise in constructing safety options for presidency and enterprise clients. The brand new BlackBerry cellphone can be a 5G system – that includes a bodily keyboard and embrace an inventory of enterprise-focussed security measures. The brand new improvement comes somewhat over six months after earlier BlackBerry model licensee TCL Communication introduced that it might stop the gross sales of BlackBerry-branded units beginning August 31.
OnwardMobility is about to launch the primary 5G BlackBerry smartphone, based mostly on Android with a bodily keyboard, as early as the primary half of 2021. The cellphone will debut in North America and Europe. Nevertheless, there’s no readability whether or not it might additionally attain different markets at a later stage.
OnwardMobility has partnered with Foxconn subsidiary FIH Cellular to provide the brand new BlackBerry cellphone, the corporate mentioned in an announcement. The brand new cellphone is touted to be a “feature-rich 5G-ready” mannequin with options to reinforce productiveness. It’s seemingly geared toward enterprise clients, who demand safety alongside good options.
“Enterprise professionals are wanting to safe 5G units that allow productiveness, with out sacrificing the person expertise,” mentioned Peter Franklin, CEO of OnwardMobility. “BlackBerry smartphones are recognized for safeguarding communications, privateness, and knowledge.”
Particulars in regards to the specs of the brand new BlackBerry cellphone are but to be revealed. Nevertheless, Franklin in an interview with The Register mentioned that it might include a redesigned “clean-sheet keyboard.” The cellphone can also be promised to obtain long-term help.
The 5G BlackBerry cellphone can also be mentioned to have aggressive pricing. This means that it would not be one thing that might tackle the likes of Samsung Galaxy Be aware 20 or the upcoming Apple iPhone 12. As an alternative, it’s prone to be a mid-range providing.
“We’re excited that clients will expertise the enterprise and authorities stage safety and cell productiveness the brand new BlackBerry 5G smartphone will provide,” mentioned John Chen, Govt Chairman and CEO, BlackBerry, in an announcement.
This is not the primary time when BlackBerry model is making a comeback within the smartphone market. The model confronted a troublesome struggle following the enlargement of Android smartphones and finally signed a licensing deal with TCL Communication in December 2016. It additionally partnered with Optiemus Infracom in February 2017 to provide and promote Android smartphones in India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bangladesh. Particularly for Indonesia, it tied up with BB Merah Putih.
Nevertheless, in February, TCL Communication introduced that it might now not promote BlackBerry-branded cell units. Different model licensees additionally maintained silence since October 2018 – after the launch of the BlackBerry KEY2 LE that emerged because the final cellphone introduced beneath the model that was earlier recognized for premium cell units.
