Blackberry is making a comeback this year with a new 5G-enabled Android smartphone for enterprise users. The brand, well known for physical keyboard on some of its smartphones, has been licensed to Texas-based startup OnwardMobility and manufacturing partner FIH Mobile (Foxconn). The deal between Blackberry and former global license partner, TCL ended in 2020 as well as similar deals with Optiemus Infracom (Blackberry Mobile India) and BB Merah Putih (India and Indonesia).
Under the new deal, OnwardMobility will release a 5G BlackBerry Android smartphone with physical keyboard (QWERTY) in markets in North America and Europe by the first half of 2021. The company would be incharge of market development and product planning while FIH mobile will handle the design and production. There is no outlook on specs and features at this point, however, it is certain to include support for 5G, top of the line camera and don the signature BlackBerry QWERTY keyboard.
The privacy and security-focused device, which will cater to the needs of all businesses, from government to enterprise, could also arrive in Asia at some point in the year. Blackberry was a successful global smartphone brand until 2016 when the company opted to license its brand to a few companies including TCL due to its dwindling market share. The company had its own proprietary software – Blackberry OS (BBOS) and Blackberry 10 and world’s famous instant messenger – Blackberry Messenger (BBM). It has since turned its attention towards
Source: OnwardMobility
Via: Nikkie Asia
