Following last year's launch of the BlackBerry Priv, it was clear that the future of BlackBerry is Android. Building upon the Priv, today BlackBerry is announcing their second android smartphone which also gets the 'world's most secure android smartphone' tag. Officially called the BlackBerry DTEK50, the smartphone is actually a rebranded Alcatel Idol 4.

BlackBerry DTEK50 (Neon) Key Specifications 

— Snapdragon 617 SoC
— 3GB RAM
— 16GB expandable memory
— 13MP f2.0 rear camera
— 8MP front camera
— Android 6.0 Marshmallow
— 2,610mAh battery
— 147 mm x 72.5 mm x 7.4 mm
— 135g
ORIGINAL SOURCE: BLACKBERRY

The wait is over and after numerous leaks since the start of the year, today the BlackBerry Priv is officially stepping foot on Malaysia. Available starting December 15, the Android powered BlackBerry Priv packs all the goodness of a BlackBerry 10 device like the signature qwerty keyboard and the BlackBerry Hub software.

BlackBerry's first Android smartphone, the Priv arrives — "This felt like that moment when Nokia's plan to build an Android phone was leaked onto the internet. But unlike's Stephen Elop's line of Nokia X devices which ran on a forked version of Android and was primarily powered by Microsoft services, BlackBerry's first android device is actually more like every other android phone out there with the stock Google launcher paired with some BlackBerry specific applications." Continue reading.

Indeed, this latest smartphone from BlackBerry runs on Android instead of BlackBerry 10 and the Canadian company managed to pull this off without compromising on security. With a AMOLED dual curved display and power from the 6-core Snapdragon 808 processor, BlackBerry's first android smartphone is just as good as other flagship android devices released this year. In addition to the QHD resolution display, BlackBerry has also topped it off with a slide out keyboard that introduces that signature qwerty keyboard to Android.

BlackBerry Priv specifications

• 5.4" AMOLED QHD display (540 ppi)
• Snapdragon 808 CPU w/ Adreno 418 GPU
• 3GB RAM with 32GB of expandable memory
• 18MP rear camera with Optical Image Stabilization
• 2MP front camera
• Android 5.1.1 Lollipop
• 147 x 77.2 x 9.4mm (192g)
• 3,410mAh battery

Despite running Google's widely adopted Android software, BlackBerry says they did not skim on the security as the Priv (which stands for Privilege and Privacy) comes with a hardened Linux kernel which includes multiple patches and improvements made to the core Android kernel. Beyond that, BlackBerry says that all data on the device is encrypted by default and small things like the DTEK application that detects unsecure files and monthly patches is what makes the Priv a privacy phone.

But how much does this sexy and advanced (in terms of privacy) android smartphone cost? Well, BlackBerry thinks that all of that hardware and software will cost you more than an iPhone 6S. The BlackBerry Priv will cost RM 3,559 inclusive of GST and that puts it up against the recently announced Blackphone 2 from Silent Circle which is nearly as pricey at RM 3,599

In contrast, the new Xperia Z5 Premium with the industry's first 4K display clocks in at RM 3,099 and the larger Galaxy S6 edge+ is also at RM 3,099. So, you will need to factor in whether the extra layer of security is well worth the price. 

BlackBerry's first Android phone called the Priv might be all about privacy and privilege but the original privacy phone is Silent Circle's BlackPhone. The BlackPhone 2 which was announced earlier this year is the successor to the original BlackPhone which came out last year. This year's edition features a refined design and better features on their PrivaOS which is still based on Android.

In terms of specifications, Silent Circle has given their private phone some specs worthy of 2015. That includes a bigger 5.5" 1080P display paired with a mid-range octa-core CPU from Qualcomm (Snapdragon 615), 2GB of RAM, 32GB of expandable memory, a 13MP rear camera with a dual LED flash, a 5MP front camera, LTE support, a 3,060mAh battery and support for Qualcomm's second generation Quick Charge technology.

The software in the other hand is a newer PrivatOS 1.1 which comes with all the Android features you would have expected but that's not the point of the BlackPhone 2. Features like always-on encryption, a security center feature, a new Spaces UI feature that splits the software into different modes.

As for pricing, a secure and private Android phone is not going to be cheap. DialogHub which is Silent Circle's distributor in Malaysia is pricing the BlackPhone 2 at RR 3,599 which is pretty steep if you compare it to competing flagship grade android phones. But bottom line, if you need a phone with lots of features to safeguard your smartphone experience and you don't want to but the BlackBerry Priv which is coming to Malaysia pretty soon then the BlackPhone 2 is your best bet.

You can now officially buy the BlackPhone 2 from 11street for RM 3,599.

ORIGINAL SOURCE: AMANZ.NET

Looks like another BlackBerry phone powered by Android is brewing. The company just started selling the BlackBerry Priv in the US last weekend and according to a credible leak from Crackberry, the Canadian manufacturer is heading from Venice to Vienna for their next android powered smartphone that is supposedly also about privacy and privilege.

Just like the new BlackBerry Priv, the upcoming BlackBerry Vienna (codename) will also feature a physical keyboard but in a more classical form factor. Reminiscing of the PDA days with physical qwerty keyboards, the Vienna opts for a persistent physical keyboard compared to a slide-out type on the Priv.

Besides the slight different in form factor, these renders also show that the Vienna will come in a few color options unlike the Priv which is only available in Black. One interesting to note is that since the power and volume rockers are place nearly at the top, expect the device to be similarly sized compared to the Priv is BlackBerry references the button layout so expect it to have something like at 4.7-5" display.

ORIGINAL SOURCE: CRACKBERRY

Earlier today we reported that @evelaks revealed what looks to be the first official sighting of BlackBerry's android phone. Well, in a reponse with a twitter user he then reveals yet another image of a BlackBerry android smartphone, this time it's clear that it's running Android.

But first a little backstory to sweeten things up, during MWC 2015 this year, BlackBerry made a surprising announcement that they a working on a new devices which curves on both sides just like the (then) just announced Galaxy S6 edge. Despite getting official confirmation back then, since then we have not heard much from the company itself.

Now it looks like we might finally know why BlackBerry has been mum about this new device, whether it ends up being true or not but BlackBerry's first android powered smartphone might just be loaded onto the dual curved display which instantly makes it a very good contender against the current lineup of android flagships.

Taking a closer look at the clear render of the device, Android 5.0 Lollipop is definitely on the device and Google Apps are shown on screen alongside some Microsoft apps too which means BlackBerry might've found a solution to make Android secure. Also not to mention, the device also features curves on both sides of the device and beneath the touchscreen is the full BlackBerry keyboard.

It is still possible that this device will dual boot Android and BB10, maybe?

What a Surprise! Ron just pulled out a dual-curved, all-touch display with a Keyboard - yes a slider device! #MWC15 pic.twitter.com/8VaPUZHo3j

— BlackBerry (@BlackBerry) March 3, 2015

.@akrnsv Not at all -- Venice is actually quite the looker. pic.twitter.com/ToFgYNOuLw

— Evan Blass (@evleaks) July 3, 2015

SOURCE: TWITTER (@EVLEAKS)

It's 2015, Nokia is still alive (part of) and BlackBerry (formerly Research in Motion or RIM) is still very much alive and since announcing BB10 nearly two years ago, the company has since then unwrapped a couple new devices which have been quite appealing even for normal users. The recently announced BlackBerry Passport is a great example that the company is still trying to innovate itself to success.

Barrack Obama says that he can still only use a Blackberry

But this is just part of the story, BlackBerry's market share might still slide given the tough competition amongst Google and Apple to create a smartphone for enterprise users. In recent times, CEO John Chen did mention about BlackBerry's future plans and he said that if they could get Android secure enough then their product line will definitely include a device powered by Google's mobile operating system.

Well, it looks like a turning point right now as prolific leaker @evleaks has just tweeted an image of what looks to be the bottom half of the BB Passport. The three rows of physical keys are pretty normal but look up a bit and we see what looks to be Android 5.0 Lollipop software buttons and up a bit is the Holo keyboard from ICS.

Whether it might materialize in the end is another question but at least not we know that BlackBerry is indeed working on an Android powered BlackBerry. Would you buy it just for they keyboard?

Also, /this/ pic.twitter.com/DL9BzAMEC4

— Evan Blass (@evleaks) July 3, 2015

SOURCE: TWITTER (@EVLEAKS)

The big debatable question in choosing a smartphone is whether to choose iOS or Android and depending on the person you ask, you'll get a different answer. Well, Tim Cook's answer is obviously for you to choose the iPhone and to make your choice a little easier, Apple will soon be opening their in store trade-in program to devices other than the iPhone.

Currently you can trade in your old iPhone for a rebate on a newer one but 9To5Mac reports that Apple is readying their staff to appraise Android and Blackberry (sadly no Windows Phone =( ) devices and offering buyers a gift card towards buying a new iPhone. In addition to recycling your old phone inturn for a rebate on a new iPhone, Apple employees will also help you to migrate your address book only (you'll have to migrate other data yourself).

As to how much a good condition Android device will pick up is yet to be known but given that Apple was stingy in the trade-in program for the iPhone, only time will tell if this offer from Apple is worth the money or is it better to just trade-in your Android or Blackberry phone somewhere else to get a better deal. Also, this offer will most likely only be valid on official Apple retail outlets.

SOURCE: 9To5Mac

Blackberry still lives on today and even Barrack Obama still uses it for security reasons. After making some buzz back in MWC 2015 for an upcoming BB phone features a dual curved touchscreen like on the Galaxy S6 edge, WSJ reports that the canadian company is ready to launch a new tablet. The new tablet is called 'Secu Tablet' and is made in collaboration with Samsung, IBM and Blackberry.

According to the report, the 'Secu Tablet' will be based off the Galaxy Tab S 10.5 which itself is a very modern tablet with high end specs. On this tablets, specs aren't the highlight but the security is the key feature. Blackberry is pitching in their Secusmart encryption technology which will prevent people from snooping on the tablet, IBM in the other hand will provide a software which will allow the user to swiftly switch between work and personal without compromising the data.

Overall, this is looking to be a promising tablet for enterprise users and WSJ also says the tablet will be going for around $2,380 and will be released later in the Summer. Also, given that Samsung is in this collaboration, maybe certain features on this new tablet might just migrate to Samsung's KNOX security software.

SOURCE: Wall Street Journal

Throughout the week, President Obama made a guest appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live and besides talking on some serious matters he also did a gig on how he uses technology. You can check out the video below but the one of the main takeaways from the video is that he mentions that he still uses a Blackberry opposed to an iPhone due to security reasons

"I don't text, I email. I still have a Blackberry because I cant use phones with recorders in it. The new-fangled stuff, for security reasons I don’t get" says President Obama

In addition to that he also says that he does not do text messages (no whatsapp) but instead communicate through email on his Blackberry. Another thing which he does not do is tweet, if you follow the President on twitter you'll come to realize that tweets from the account come out quite often. Instead, his tweets are actually written by others to convey the message he implies.