BlackBerry to develop an Android phone

After months of rumours, BlackBerry has confirmed plans to develop its own smartphone running the BlackBerry operating system.

In its second quarter earnings release, BlackBerry said it plans to launch Priv, a slider device running Android, late this calendar year.

The device will come loaded with BlackBerry security and productivity features, including secure messaging platform BlackBerry Enterprise Server 12, which supports Android for Work.

The move represents a departure from BlackBerry's initial strategy of relying solely on its own operating system for its devices. But it is a departure that has been expected for some time due to the smartphone maker's declining fortunes.

BlackBerry indicated that it does not intend to give up on its own operating system. “While the new device will provide a choice in OS to new and existing customers, the company remains committed to the BlackBerry 10 operating system, which enables industry-leading security and productivity benefits," the report states.

The company appears to be aiming to differentiate from the pack of Android handset makers with its slider design and by leveraging its credentials as a provider of smartphones secure enough for government use.

In separate news, BlackBerry said it has completed the acquisition of AtHoc, which will now operate as a division of the company.

AtHoc is a software platform designed to securely connect with a range of devices including Android and iOS devices, desktop PCs, digital displays, radios and sirens to provide integrated disaster communications capabilities.

BlackBerry revealed plans to evaluate integrating the technology into the company's portfolio of secure communications solutions.

For example, the company is considering combining AtHoc with confidential document management system WatchDox to enable secure distribution of confidential documents during a crisis.

Image courtesy of Ian Lamont under CC