BlackBerry OS Phones to Go Offline Starting January 4

BlackBerry has already bitten the mud within the smartphone market and misplaced its attraction as even its devoted followers are these days maybe utilizing an iPhone or an Android handset. However nonetheless, as some folks may be utilizing a BlackBerry telephone, the Canadian firm has reiterated that its units will not be capable of help legacy providers over mobile and Wi-Fi connectivity beginning subsequent week. The corporate initially introduced the transfer in September final 12 months however prolonged its service as “an expression of thanks” to its loyal clients and companions. The replace is notably not relevant to BlackBerry telephones based mostly on the Android working system.

As of January 4, units based mostly on BlackBerry 7.1 OS and earlier, BlackBerry 10 software program, BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.1 and earlier variations, will not be capable of “reliably perform,” the corporate stated in an updated note on its web site.

Which means that there will likely be no assure that BlackBerry telephones on mobile or Wi-Fi connectivity will be capable of enable knowledge entry, make telephone calls, ship textual content messages, and even the emergency 911 performance.

It’s not stunning as BlackBerry had misplaced its floor within the early 2010s.

The Waterloo, Ontario-headquartered firm tried arduous to regain attraction. In 2013, it brought BlackBerry 10 as a alternative of the ageing BlackBerry OS to enchantment to Android and iOS customers. The corporate additionally lastly moved to Android in 2015 and brought BlackBerry Priv as a brand new slider telephone to tackle the flagships of Apple and Samsung. All that, nonetheless, didn’t assist it achieve any success.

In 2016, BlackBerry in the end brought licensing partners together with TCL Communication for world markets and Optiemus Infracom in India to retain its model title with third-party units. The licensing companions launched fashions together with BlackBerry KeyOne and Key2.

Nonetheless, TCL in February 2020 introduced that it will no longer produce BlackBerry telephones. Different model licensees have additionally maintained silence since October 2018 — following the launch of BlackBerry Key2 LE which got here because the final telephone introduced below the model.

Texas-based startup OnwardMobility in 2020 teased to launch a 5G BlackBerry phone in 2021. That mannequin has not but emerged, although.

The departure of legacy providers from BlackBerry telephones doesn’t suggest that the model BlackBerry is useless altogether. The corporate is presently busy creating its safety software program and providers for varied enterprises and governments all over the world.

BlackBerry as an organization even beat Wall Street estimates for its third-quarter income final week and reported a web revenue of $74 million (roughly Rs. 551 crore). That was important compared with a lack of $130 million (roughly Rs. 970 crore) a 12 months earlier.