Following months of speculation, BlackBerry has now officially confirmed that its first Android phone – previously known under the moniker ‘Venice’ is in development.
CEO John Chen confirmed today that the company’s Android smartphone will arrive – much like rumours posited – alongside a slide-out keyboard.
However, the code-name Venice appears to be on the chopping block; Chen confirmed the device will ship under the name of BlackBerry Priv.
Yes, we preferred ‘Venice’ too.
Chen’s announcement sheds some light on the bizarre choice of name for the product; Priv is meant to connote the concept of privacy.
During a quarterly meeting, Chen went on record to say: “I am confirming our plans to launch Priv, an Android device named after BlackBerry’s heritage and core mission of protecting our customers’ privacy. Priv combines the best of BlackBerry security and productivity with the expansive mobile application ecosystem available on the Android platform.”
It would seem that BlackBerry are intent on marketing the Priv as a uniquely secure device amongst a litany of Android rivals produced by other manufacturers.
Beyond the smartphone’s official name, nothing else was confirmed. The Priv is expected to release at some point in November this year, for a sum of $599 USD.
The Priv is also reported to bear an 18MP rear snapper with OIS, and will carry a 1.8Ghz hexa-core Snapdragon 808 processor accompanied by 3GBs of RAM – identical specifications to the LG G4.
What are your thoughts on the BlackBerry Priv? Will the device be enough to rekindle global interest in BlackBerry? Let us know in the comments below!
