Priv, new Android slider phone by BlackBerry; BB10 version of Priv coming?

Blackberry Limited (NASDAQ:BBRY) has finally announced its much anticipated flagship Android phone. Named Priv, the new phone will be the company’s first Android smartphone. This is the same phone that has been rumored as Blackberry Venice. While the company hasn’t revealed any details about the hardware or pricing of the device yet, the phone is expected to hit all the major markets before the end of this year.blackberry-priv-android-slider-phone

Blackberry is clearly struggling with revenue with their old strategies as Android phones have pushed the Blackberry OS out of the market. So now they are making an Android device in hope to strengthen their market hold. Meanwhile, diehard BlackBerry users are asking for the BB10 version of Priv handsets throughout the community forums and support centers.

“I’m not satisfied (with) where we are in the overall revenue and profitability, especially in the handset business”, John Chen, Blackberry’s CEO said in a conference call with investors.

The new smartphone will be powered by Android OS and in addition, it will also include Blackberry’s custom security, privacy and productivity applications. BlackBerry Priv is no doubt targeted at Android users who want the corporate security features for which the smartphone company is famous..

“Priv combines the best of BlackBerry security and productivity with the expansive mobile application ecosystem available on the Android platform.” Said Chen about the Priv.

The company’s CEO also shared a hands-on video with the upcoming smartphone. He tried showing the new phone in action, but it was clear that he was not well versed with the new device as he kept saying “runs Google” instead of Android.

According the the previous rumors, the device will feature a 5.4” touchscreen with QHD resolution. Under the hood, it will be powered by a Snapdragon 808 chip along with 3 GB RAM. The phone will also feature an 18 MP shooter.

So far that is all we know about the upcoming smartphone. Keep tuned for more updates. Meanwhile, watch this video where the BB CEO John Chen awkwardly shows off the new device to Business News Network Canada:

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