BlackBerry could use Android in their next smartphone – Hypertext

Toronto (Reuters) – BlackBerry is considering for the first time equip a future smartphone with Android operating system, acknowledging that its updated line of devices has seduced consumers, according to four sources familiar with the matter

The decision would be a radical change for the company of Waterloo, Ontario, which initially refused to Android and decided that its line of BlackBerry 10 phones could regain market share lost to Apple’s iPhone and a series of equipment powered by the sistemsp

The sources, who asked not to be identified because they were not authorized to discuss the issue publicly, said the decision to use Android is part of the strategy of turning BlackBerry for focus on software management and equipment.

BlackBerry, which at one time dominated smartphone sales, now has a market share of less than 1 percent.

It is unclear whether the decision to use Android would mean the end of the line of BlackBerry 10 devices, which the company launched with great fanfare in early 2013.

After initial positive reviews, the appliances Canadian firm have not been competition for Apple phones or for those who work with Android, primarily due to the absence of featured apps.

“We do not comment on rumors or speculation, but we remain committed to the OS BlackBerry 10, which provides security and productivity benefits that are unparalleled, “the company said in an email.

A Google spokesman declined to comment.

CEO BlackBerry, John Chen, is betting on new equipment management system of the company, the BES12, which allows corporate and government customers to manage BlackBerry devices in their internal networks and others who use Android, Apple’s iOS platform and Windows of Microsoft Corp.

Operating system One of the obstacles they face in this transformation is to convince large customers that your device management software runs on different platforms.

Two sources said that by launching its own device that works with Android, BlackBerry would send a signal to skeptics that BES12 confident that the system can not only manage, but also protect smartphones and tablets running operating systems rivals.