BlackBerry's PRIV Android smartphone now available for pre-order in Canada for $899

Blackberry's PRIV smartphone is now available for pre-order in Canada, the United States, and UK. Built on BlackBerry’s legacy of securing and keeping private our customers’ data, PRIV brings the best of BlackBerry’s security, privacy and access to both a touchscreen and a slide-out QWERTY keyboard.

The device offers unique tools and features – like DTEK, our exclusive warning system app that lets you know when your privacy could be at risk so you can take action to improve it – as well as an elegant, slim design with a slide-out physical keyboard, 5.4-inch dual-curved screen and a powerful 18MP camera. And of course, access to the Google Play store to easily download all the apps you want.

PRIV will be the solution for smartphone users who are learning daily of the lack of privacy they have on their current devices. PRIV will be the answer for former BlackBerry users who miss the physical keyboard but want more apps. And we’re responding to current – and prospective – BlackBerry users who need it all: choice, innovation, security, privacy and productivity.

Where to order

Customers in Canada, United States, and UK can pre-order PRIV from ShopBlackBerry.com. PRIV will be priced at $699 USD in the US, $899 CDN in Canada and £559 incl. VAT in the UK. We invite you to learn more at BlackBerry.com and to visit our Inside BlackBerry blog for more details on where to pre-order PRIV.

BlackBerry is working on a new BB10 slider

BlackBerry hasn't been resting on its laurels. After launching the BlackBerry Leap today in Barcelona, the company briefly showed off a premium BB10 smartphone that incorporates a large touchscreen with a QWERTY-keyboard slider reminiscent of its Torch line of devices.

What is interesting about this device is speculation that it will offer a curved display and that it is actually a collaboration with Samsung.

Others are saying it is a Porsche design premium variant (I doubt it). BlackBerry has satisfied the touch and the QWERTY fans with new devices, this may be their way of giving slider aficionados some love. Mmmm sliders...

Source: CrackBerry.com

BlackBerry Leap smartphone launched with focus on affordability and security

BlackBerry revealed its latest handset at Mobile World Congress. The BlackBerry Leap designed for 4G LTE networks, is an affordable all-touch smartphone that is built for companies and mobile professionals who value security and privacy.

BlackBerry Leap includes an edge-to-edge five-inch HD display, BlackBerry’s latest operating system and more than a full day’s battery power.  The Leap features a 5" HD display with a  1280 x 720 HD resolution (294 PPI), 8MP Rear camera, 16GB of expandable storage and has up-to 25 hrs of battery life.  BlackBerry has priced the device at $275 USD and it is coming to Europe first in April. Find out more here.

Various unlocked BlackBerry 10 smartphones now available at 55% off

If you've been wating on a BlackBerry smartphone, now may be the time to pull the trigger on an unlocked model as they're being made available for up to 55% off. Included in the sale are the keyboard-enabled Q5 and Q10 and the all-touch Z10 and Z30.

For example, the price of the colorful Q5 (comes in black, white, red and pink) will drop to $159 from its current $349 for shoppers at the U.S. ShopBlackBerry. Canadians can check out the goods right here.