Three BlackBerry devices in comparison
|
|
Developer | BlackBerry Limited (formally), TCL (Global), BB Merah Putih (Indonesia), and Optiemus (India) |
---|---|
Manufacturer | BlackBerry Limited (formally), TCL (Global), BB Merah Putih (Indonesia), and Optiemus (India) |
Type | Handheld devices |
Release date | January 19, 1999 |
Operating system | BlackBerry OS, BlackBerry 10, Android |
Online services | BlackBerry World, Google Play Store |
Website | global |
BlackBerry is a line of smartphones, tablets, and services originally designed and marketed by Canadian company BlackBerry Limited (formerly known as Research In Motion Limited). These are currently designed, manufactured, and marketed by TCL Communication, BB Merah Putih, and Optiemus for the global, Indonesian, and Indian markets, respectively, continuously using the BlackBerry-brand.
BlackBerry was considered one of the most prominent smartphone vendors in the world, specializing in secure communications and mobile productivity. At its peak in September 2013, there were 85 million BlackBerry subscribers worldwide. However, BlackBerry has since lost its dominant position in the market due to the success of the Android and iOS platforms; the same numbers had fallen to 23 million in March 2016.
The BlackBerry line traditionally uses a proprietary operating system developed by BlackBerry Limited known as BlackBerry OS. In 2013, BlackBerry introduced BlackBerry 10, a major revamp of the platform based on QNX operating system. BlackBerry 10 was meant to replace the aging BlackBerry OS platform with a new system that was more in line with the user experiences of modern smartphone operating systems. The first BB10 powered device was the BlackBerry Z10, which was followed by other all-touch and keyboard-equipped models; including the BlackBerry Q10, BlackBerry Classic, BlackBerry Passport, and the BlackBerry Leap.
In 2015, BlackBerry re-focused its business strategy and began to release Android-based smartphones, beginning with the BlackBerry Priv slider and then the BlackBerry DTEK50. On September 28, 2016, Blackberry announced it would cease designing its own phones in favour of outsourcing to partners.