The Canadian company responsible for creating Blackberry, Blackberry Limited, is trying to stay competitive in the smartphone industry by releasing their new creation, the DTEK50 android phone. It’s been over a month since the company has stopped creating the original BlackBerry phone to make way for the “most secure” smartphone. Blackberry Limited is planning to brand the DTEK50 phone for its security measures and it’s malware protection software. Most importantly, DTEK50 is going to install security patches during each update the phone has during its technologic lifetime.
The phone retail price is $299 and will ship out early this August. Last November, the company released it first android phone, the Priv, which surprisingly sold out during its launch date. Although the device didn’t help boost Blackberry overall sales and the company is now trying to make a new comeback with the DTEK50 phone. Blackberry Limited CEO John Chen quoted last year that the company needs to sell over five million smartphones to make their yearly quota. This year he has lowered the company’s expectations to over three million phones. Last year, during the failed Priv sales, Chen said if the Blackberry business isn’t selling enough smartphones throughout the world, he might reconsider being a part of the hardware business.
Chen has since renewed his confidence with the DTEK50 and has publicly stated that he thinks the phone will be a great contender to the infamous IPhone. CNN’s Money division has recently stated that Blackberry Limited has the expertise to do well in the security software business and could possibly gain more revenue if they shift the company’s goals away from phone sales to malware protection. Although Chen has commented back, saying that the company’s hardware service (phone sales) is a part of the Blackberry’s heart and believes their goals to evolve their smartphone products will catch on with the public who are looking for an alternative phone option than the IPhone.
Chen, who is trying to distinguish the DTEK50 Blackberry product, has continued to badger the cell phone industry for their oversaturation of similar looking devices. He still thinks his company is making the right decision to provide a “safer” phone that will protect against malware and other safety concerns for cell phone users, saying that Blackberry will be able to provide easier security solutions to their customers whenever they want it and need it.
