BlackBerry is set to expand the reach of its BBM messaging app to additional devices very shortly. Andrew Bocking, Executive Vice President, BBM at BlackBerry, told SlashGear today that a new version of BBM for Wi-Fi-only iOS devices like the iPad and iPod touch will be available in the App Store “within 24 hours.” Bocking pointed out that the rollout […]
BlackBerry
New BlackBerry CEO promises to “reclaim BlackBerry’s success”
Having just been named the new Executive Chair and CEO of BlackBerry, John S. Chen wasted little time in outlining the broad strokes of his strategy to turn the beleaguered company around. The open letter acknowledges that the turnaround will take “time, discipline and tough decisions” but Chen also promises to “reclaim BlackBerry’s success.” Here is the full open letter […]
Upcoming BlackBerry Porsche Design P’9982 caught on video
The last time we saw pictures of the upcoming BlackBerry Porsche Design P’9982 was back in August. With an expected launch later this month, a new video has turned up, giving us another look at this premium smartphone. As expected, it appears to be a modified BlackBerry Z10 with the same premium finish that we saw with the earlier P’9981. There is […]
BlackBerry Board still opposed to breaking up company
Despite a number of parties showing interest in various parts of the company over the past weeks and months, Reuters reports that the BlackBerry board remains opposed to breaking up the company. According to unnamed sources, the board felt and continues to feel that such a move is not “currently in its best interests.” This belief reportedly led to the […]
New BlackBerry investors revealed
Fairfax Financial Holdings’ bid to take BlackBerry private in a US$4.7 billion deal may have failed but the company was still able to arrange a US$1 billion investment into the beleaguered smartphone manufacturer and enterprise services company. Fairfax itself put up US$250 million of that and we learned today who the other investors are. A U.S. Securities and Exchange […]
Outgoing BlackBerry CEO Thorsten Heins pens farewell letter to employees
Many of us were caught by surprise when, on Monday, BlackBerry announced that its plan to go private had fallen through and that it would instead receive a US$1 billion investment from Fairfax Financial Holdings and some other institutional investors. With that announcement came the news that CEO Thorsten Heins would be replaced by John S. Chen. The Wall Street […]
Fairfax to invest US$1 billion in BlackBerry
Fairfax Financial Holdings’ bid to take BlackBerry private may have failed but the company along with other institutional investors will invest US$1 billion into the beleaguered smartphone manufacturer in the form of convertible debentures. These will be convertible into common shares of BlackBerry at a price of US$10.00 per common share, a significant premium over the current stock’s value (and […]
BlackBerry CEO to leave as Fairfax deal dies
Today was to have been the day that Fairfax Financial Holdings turned BlackBerry into a private company if a better offer did not come. Not only did the offer not come but the Fairfax deal has also died as the company could not raise the necessary funds. Not only that but BlackBerry has now decided not to sell itself, putting […]