BlackBerry is a word that conjures up many different feelings when we hear the name. Many current Android and iOS users got their start on a BlackBerry device way back when – although when you start counting the years, it is not really that long ago. Oh, how the once-mighty company and the pride of Canada have fallen on hard times, due to the mismanagement by Co-CEOs Jim Balsillie and Mike Lazaridis. In 2010, BlackBerry had a 43-percent share of the US Market that is now down to 1.5-percent, all because they were unwilling to change to meet the competition head on.
Recently BlackBerry is back in the news with rumors of a new BlackBerry Android phone – there are leaked images of at least two models, with the first being a BlackBerry Passport running Android and the second touchscreen model called Venice (seen in the above picture.) Both a BlackBerry Venice and another model, called Dallas, were spotted on the import/export site Zauba going into India for testing. According to a report from DigiTimes, BlackBerry will roll out multiple Android smartphones by the end of this year. They also claim that Foxconn, Compai and Wistron will serve as BlackBerry partners. So far, Blackberry has not confirmed or denied any claims concerning an Android powered BlackBerry.
Another sure sign that BlackBerry and Google are ‘making friends’ is the recent announcement that they will partner to make the Android devices used in business or enterprise more secure. BlackBerry said, “BlackBerry and Google are working closely together to set new standards in enterprise mobile security for organizations deploying Android devices. Android Lollipop delivers key enterprise functionality and addresses any previous enterprise security concerns. BES 12 supports Android Lollipop, allowing you to confidently deploy Android devices in your organization.”
We must surely take these rumors with a grain of salt, but it will be interesting to see just what BlackBerry decides to do – BlackBerry always made a solid device and if they couple Android within its walls they may have a real hit on their hands. In a recent poll, we asked the question – “Would You Buy An Android Powered BlackBerry Venice?” and the results were astonishing and show that we still have an affection for the BlackBerry name. 14-percent said “No,” 22-percent said “Maybe,” and a whopping 64-percent said “YES!” There may be something to be said for a BlackBerry-Android relationship.