BlackBerry to end smartphone production, will move to services-only model

The last true BlackBerry: The BlackBerry Classic was the last handset to feature RIM's core smartphone features

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

The writing has been on the wall for some time on this one, BlackBerry (formerly Research In Motion) has announced that it is exiting the hardware business and will no longer make any more handsets. Instead, it will rely on partners for hardware as well as focus on a services-only model moving forward.

"The company plans to end all internal hardware development and will outsource that function to partners," said CEO John Chen in a statement about the tactical shift for the company. "Our financial foundation is strong, and our pivot to software is taking hold."

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BlackBerry launches new Android device, the super-secure DTEK50

BlackBerry has just launched its new Android smartphone, the DTEK50, a 5.2-inch device with a 13 megapixel camera, running on a Qualcomm 8952 with 64 bit Quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 and Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A53 (Snapdragon 617 Octa-Core, 64 bit) processors plus 3GB of RAM. Unlike the high-end PRIV launched last year, the DTEK50 has an on-screen keyboard and runs Android 6.0 Marshmallow. It also has a quick-charge enabled 2610 mAh 4.4V non-removable Lithium Ion battery that's capable of  50% charge in 51 minutes.

DTEK50 encrypts all users’ information, including business critical data and personal data such as pictures, videos and contacts. Malware protection is also built-in along with back-up, wipe and restore capabilities. Additional software provides users with visibility and control over which apps get access to personal info or device features such as the microphone or camera. BlackBerry also delivers security patches on the same day that Google publicly releases information about them, which isn't the case with most other Android OEMs.

Starting today, DTEK50 is available to pre-order from ShopBlackBerry.com in the US, Canada, UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy and The Netherlands for $299 USD. DTEK50 will be available in a number of channels around the world, including more than 40 partners from electronics stores, carriers, VARs and distributors. This includes Rogers, Bell, TELUS, WIND, Videotron and SaskTel among others in Canada. In the U.S., DTEK50 will initially be available in Best Buy, B&H and Amazon. Availability of DTEK50 in additional global channels and countries will be announced in the coming weeks.

SlideShow: HTC 10

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

The new HTC 10 looks and feels like a proper premium smartphone from a company that's carefully developed devices with many core strengths. HTC may have missed a beat or two with some of their previous offerings, but the company is back in full force with what could be their perfect 10 device and the best flagship they've ever built.

The HTC 10 is about simplification. A pared down OS that's closer to Pure Android than ever, a sleek yet purposeful new design that succeeds in making a 5.2-inch phone fit in the dimensions of a 5-inch device. Improved front and rear camera optics, top-shelf processor and performance, plus a battery that can last the whole day and night (and be quickly charged to 50% in 30 minutes), are just the tip of the very cool iceberg that is the HTC 10.

For better or for worse, the HTC 10 will only be released via Bell Mobility in Canada (but you can pay full price to get it unlocked from HTC online). 

Leaked photo shows Huawei P9 with Leica dual-lens camera

It’s been known recently from both leaks and official sources that Huawei plans to use lens and camera technology from German manufacturer Leica. Rumour has it they’ll be using a dual-lens configuration. A recent image leak shows the Huawei P9 sporting said configuration. It shows the usual metal-clad look Huawei goes with but this time it has two camera lenses placed side by side on the top left corner of the device’s back portion. These are beside dual-tone LED flash, laser autofocus, and Leica’s name engraved at the right.

A bit below that you see the square-shaped fingerprint sensor, which is roughly in the same spot as it was in the Huawei-made Nexus 6P. Other leaked specs of this upcoming Huawei device include a 5.2-inch Full HD display, Kirin 950 processor, 3GB of RAM, 32GB of storage, and a 3,900mAh battery.

Source: Android Community