As expected, BlackBerry this week announced the BlackBerry 9720 smartphone. Unlike the recent BlackBerry Z10 or Q10, the BlackBerry 9720 is powered by the older BlackBerry 7 operating system and is billed as an inexpensive “starter smartphone.” Sharing many design traits with the BlackBerry Q5, its price point is likely to appeal to those who aren’t ready to spend too […]
BlackBerry
BlackBerry’s 9,000 patents worth up to US$5 billion
BlackBerry this week announced that it was kicking off an “exploration of strategic alternatives” that could see the company get sold off, enter into a strategic partnership or joint venture as well as other outcomes (including maintaining status quo). With a global market share that has plummeted to single digits and sales that show no sign of turning around, what could […]
BlackBerry confirms “Exploration of Strategic Alternatives”
Following last week’s rumours that the BlackBerry’s leadership was considering taking the company private, it confirmed today that its Board of Directors has formed a Special Committee to explore strategic alternatives “to enhance value and increase scale in order to accelerate BlackBerry 10 deployment.” Among the possibilities are joint ventures, strategic partnerships, an outright sale and “other possible transactions.” President and […]
BlackBerry considering going private
The already-storied BlackBerry saga may take yet another turn. Citing “several sources familiar with the situation,” A report today suggests that BlackBerry’s board, along with CEO Thorsten Heins, are are increasingly considering taking the company private. “There is a change of tone on the board,” one of the sources told Reuters. The move would eliminate the public scrutiny that the company […]
Canadian BlackBerry Q5 carrier pricing revealed?
The BlackBerry Q5 will launch in Canada next week. When BlackBerry made the announcement, it revealed that Bell, Fido, Koodo, SaskTel, TELUS, and Virgin Mobile Canada would all carry it starting on August 13th but it did not provide pricing information. MobileSyrup today obtained these details for a number of the carriers. Bell and TELUS will offer the BlackBerry Q5 […]
BlackBerry given “Authority to Operate” by U.S. Department of Defense
BlackBerry got some good news today. The U.S. Defense Information System Agency (DISA) has approved the use of BlackBerry Enterprise Service 10 on U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) networks. This Authority to Operate (ATO) not only paves the way for BlackBerry Z10 and Q10 smartphones to run on its secured networks but gives BlackBerry 10 further credibility when it comes […]
BlackBerry loses three more senior executives
Despite putting on a brave front and launching three new devices this year, BlackBerry is in the fight of its life and the outcome is still uncertain. It announced a US$84 milllion loss in the last quarter and is expected to announce another this quarter. While it is trying to rebuild its sales, it is also working behind the scenes […]
BlackBerry Z30 lines up next to Z10 and Q5
We learned earlier this week that the next BlackBerry 10 flagship device will likely launch as the BlackBerry Z30. With a 5-inch display, it will be bigger than the Q5 with its 3.1-inch display (and QWERTY display) and the BlackBerry Z10 with its 4.2-inch display. But how much bigger remained unanswered until today. CrackBerry has obtained pictures that show all […]