Blackberry confirms a new Android smartphone called “Priv” – but investors aren’t wowed
Blackberry has finally confirmed what it’s been hinting at for months: the struggling mobile phone manufacturer has been working on an Android-powered smartphone named Blackberry Priv.
The phone, due to be released before the end of the year, was confirmed by the company’s chief executive John Chen when presenting earnings for the second quarter:
Priv combines the best of Blackberry security and productivity with the expansive mobile application ecosystem available on the Android platform.
Calling the Priv its “flagship slider device”, Blackerry is hoping that this plunge into the Android market will provide a much-needed revival for its drooping sales.
Investors were not initially impressed by the results or news of the Android phone, however, as pre-market trading had Blackberry shares falling by as much as five per cent before bouncing back to trade 0.7 per cent up at pixel time.
The company, struggling increasingly to keep up with rivals Apple and Samsung, reported sales falling to $490m, a drop of nearly 47 per cent and falling far short of what analysts had forecast at $605m.