BlackBerry unveils last smartphone designed in-house
Posted October 25, 2016 8:59 am.
Last Updated October 25, 2016 12:17 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
BlackBerry has unveiled the DTEK60, the company’s last smartphone that will be designed and marketed in house.
All future models will be designed and built by third-party suppliers.
The newer phone, which sells for C$650, builds on the less-expensive DTEK50. It boasts a bigger screen, longer battery life and a camera with greater resolution – but like the DTEK50, it doesn’t have a physical keyboard.
Industry insiders had questioned whether or not BlackBerry would produce any more phones in Waterloo, after the company announced late last month it was exiting the hardware business.
In its latest quarterly earnings update, the company said it was planning to farm out future production to a third-party supplier. However, CEO John Chen authorized the production of the DTEK60.
Experts had urged the company to get out of the production business, as it repeatedly posted disappointing sales figures despite the much-hyped release of new phones such as last year’s Priv.
Through licensing agreements, other companies will make and design BlackBerry-branded phones that will use BlackBerry’s operating system.
The switch to focus on software is expected to be completed by the end of February.
The Canadian Press reports that there is still the possibility of one last BlackBerry-designed phone – with a physical keyboard – appearing on store shelves.
Related stories:
BlackBerry sales exec tells BBC: there will be a new keyboard model within 6 months
BlackBerry to end internal hardware development in February
