Silent Circle has announced the secured Blackphone 2 smartphone, the successor to the original Blackphone, is the company first product to be part of the Google’s Android for Work program.
The Blackphone 2 now runs Silent OS which is a secured and customised version of Android just like the PrivatOS on the Blackphone. It comes with Google’s Mobile Services and access to the Google Play Store.
Being a smartphone focused on security and privacy, the device would offer secure text messaging, voice calls and video calling, file transfer, contacts management and of course with support for Android for Work to deliver enterprise privacy.
Android for Work is a program which allows workers and employers separate personal information and apps from that of that of the workplace without the need to carry two devices. The two profiles works together eliminating the need of switching from one profile to another on Android.
“With the first Blackphone, we delivered an Android experience coupled with control over app permissions and the powerful Spaces feature, which lets users securely separate work life and personal life on the same device. Customers responded to Blackphone’s unique offering of privacy by design, and pushed us to offer even more choices for its second generation.”
Our Blackphone 2 release this fall will bring support for Google Play and Google Mobile Services to Silent OS and with support for Android for Work, companies can strike their own balance of control over data and connectivity with established productivity services that are used throughout enterprise.”
David Puron, SVP Engineering, Devices Silent Circle said
Moving to the Blackphone 2 specs, it sports a 5.5-inch FHD display with Corning Gorilla Glass 3, 64-bit octa-core processor, 3GB RAM, a microSD card slot, 4G LTE connectivity and is backed by a non-removable 3060mAh battery which will have fast charging features.
It seems the after the purchase and exit of Geeksphone from the smartphone business has seen some changes in strategies. The Blackphone 2 was originally showcased at the MWC 2015 running PrivatOS 1.1 but that has been replaced with the Silent OS. The company is however silent on the Blackphone+ tablet.
Source: Silent Circle (Press Release).
