Blackberry unveils first Android device

Blackberry, Ltd. launched its first Android device on Sept. 25, making the announcement in the wake of its losses in the latest quarter.

Blackberry’s upcoming Android phone, Priv, is said to combine the best Blackberry security and productivity features with the expansive mobile application system of the Android platform. The smartphone is set to be out by the end of this year.

It will have Blackberry’s famous hardware keyboard, which slides out vertically from the bottom of the gadget, Re/code reported. It will also sport a QWERTY keyboard and a “tap to wake” feature.

The slider keyboard includes a biometric sensor that lets users scroll over a web page or text by simply swiping up and down the keyboard. The move is a shift from the previous Blackberry 10 platform that left Android users out in the cold.

“I merely look at this as a business decision. If the math doesn’t add up, it doesn’t add up,” Chief Executive John Chen said at a media roundtable. He added that the gamble is necessary to test if the Priv is practicable, said Tech2 .

Blackberry’s recent marketing focus is on recovering from its losses by selling more software. It is targeting modest revenue growth in the remaining two quarters of this fiscal year after experiencing nine quarters of falling sales.

Results of the 2016 second quarter fiscal report show falling Blackberry’s shares as Blackberry 10 handset sales plunged in the second quarter.

In the report, the company also announced its plan to upgrade the Blackberry 10 operating system next month to add security and privacy enhancements.

BlackBerry Confirms Release of Its First Android Device (Credit:YouTube/Wochit Business)

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