Blackberry and Google allegedly made a deal to release BB units with Android-based OS in the second half of this year. Taiwan-based handset ODMS, as well as Foxconn Electronics, Compal Electronics and Wistron will be serving as production partners.
The Digitimes revealed that while running on Android OS, the BB smartphones will also incorporate software functions of Blackberry OS and application services like BES12, BBM and Blackberry Blend.
Blackberry aims to get back in the smartphone game and choosing its production partners would unlikely result to losses, as the Taiwan-based ODMs will handle R&D and marketing and channel distribution expenses.
Despite experiencing a slump, Blackberry continues to enjoy a good share in some markets. Blackberry's ODM partnership could raise the value of the Canadian-based smartphone maker by leveraging Blackberry's total shipments, which will be beneficial for BB's business unit.
As for using Android-based OS, Engadget said that this is a big win for both Google and BB, given that Google will get a boost to its security ecosystem and BB gets an a popular OS that could help bail out their losses.
Users of course, would be the winner, as they will get high-quality security that Blackberry is known for while getting a plethora of apps and functionality that makes Android the choice of many. This further strikes the flame that an Android-based BB is slowly becoming a reality.
Another report from Tech Times said that Blackberry bought two domain names that were identified as AndroidSecured.com and AndroidSecured.net. These domain names are reportedly registered to Blackberry Limited.
Speculations point to Android-based BB handsets that will be promoted in these domains. On account of BB's commitment to product security, Android-secured sites definitely help in marketing this enterprise, as the environment is safe and secure.
Tech Times added that there are two BB handsets that are set to run on Android, namely, a unit codenamed "Blackberry Venice" sporting a slide-out QWERTY keyboard and another codenamed "Blackberry Prague," which is said to be a high-end phone.
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