While rumours just a few weeks ago speculated that BlackBerry might soon face an acquisition – from none other than Microsoft – the firm is alleged to be preparing for an equally interesting move: producing an Android smartphone.
Fresh from the release of the Leap, BlackBerry’s intention with the rumoured device is to integrate touch screen and keyboard technology through Google’s Android operating system.
The smartphone in question, which is presently referred to under the monikers “Prague” or “Venice”, is rumoured to be a high-end device built on the foundation that was the BlackBerry Z3.
Leaked specifications pinpoint that the upcoming smartphone will sport a sliding touchscreen similar in use to the elder BlackBerry Torch; the device will additionally employ a similar sliding QWERTY keyboard.
Internally, Prague/Venice will carry a 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon processor alongside 3GBs of RAM, and will feature a 5.4″ QHD display similar to LG’s G3 and G4. The smartphone is also slated to receive a premium 18 megapixel primary camera.
It is speculated that BlackBerry might have actually snuck a glimpse of the new smartphone into this year’s MWC conference, when an executive brandished what was thought to be a keyboard-based Leap on-stage.
While it was thought that the above-mentioned keyboard-sporting Leap might run on the BlackBerry 10 OS, it seems that the Canadian firm have shifted their position and decided to employ Android as the device’s native OS.
It is, however, likely that the device – similarly to HTC’s One M8, which was sold two versions; Android or Windows Phone – might arrive in two different flavours; one Android, and one BlackBerry 10. Through this, BlackBerry might offer a commercial handset while also retaining their position in enterprise.
Will an Android phone be enough to restore BlackBerry to its halcyon days? Let us know in the comments below!
