Rumour: BlackBerry is developing multiple Android handsets with Taiwanese ODMs

By working with Google to make Android more business-friendly and allegedly developing an Android handset with the codename Venice, it would seem that BlackBerry is ramping up its foray into the wonderful world of Android. Today we have news that the Canadian company is reportedly planning on releasing multiple handsets using the Android operating system.

This report comes from Taiwan news outlet, DigiTimes, who says that BlackBerry plan on releasing numerous Android smartphones in the second half of 2015. BlackBerry has apparently contacted various Taiwan-based ODM’s (Original Device Manufacturers) such as Foxconn, Compal Electronics and Wistron to act as production partners. The ODM’s will be responsible for R&D, marketing, and channel distribution costs. It sounds like a similar situation to Nokia’s N1 Android tablet that was produced by Foxconn, where Nokia licensed its brand name to the manufacturer.

While the handsets will run on the Android operating system, they will naturally feature BlackBerry specific applications, design and software functions such as BES12, BBM, and BlackBerry Blend.

If you are wondering why companies such as Foxconn would enter into such arrangement with BlackBerry, you should remember that BlackBerry is still highly regarded in some markets. The production of an Android-powered BlackBerry handset could boost the value of the Canadian company and ease its legacy users over to Android. You have to commend BlackBerry for recognizing that it needs to try something different it is to survive.

Source: DigiTimes
Via: AndroidAuthority

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