BlackBerry reinvents itself as a software company and applications – LaTercera (Registration)

Since 1999 the seal of the BlackBerry phones has been the physical keyboard, focused on the business world.

However, the advent of touch screens, especially the emergence of the Apple iPhone in 2007, has made gradually Canadian company is losing market presence.

After being one of the industry leaders, now accounts for only 0.4% of the market, despite successive makeup that has been done in their models, including the launch of her own touch version.

In an attempt to survive and under the Mobile World Congress (MWC) which takes place in Barcelona, ​​BlackBerry announced a partnership with Samsung, one of the market leaders, to develop and market software unique safety . for the South Korean company

The decision is based on strengthening the business area where the BlackBerry still dominates: security. Their devices are recognized as the safest in the world and not in vain is the phone used by past US presidents, including Barack Obama, who since 2008 has one of these models.

The announcement is part of the change that is making BlackBerry toward software and applications, hovering most lucrative business for the company selling phone equipment.

The agreement includes the development of a service called Workligem, which will split the operating system Samsung phones, which will give the user the option to use your device for work and personal use, as well selling the BlackBerry Enterprise Suite. This program protects your personal files and provides greater security against viruses.

The partnership will allow BlackBerry sell its software services business customers through Samsung Samsung Business Service, Samsung exclusive portal for its corporate customers.

Camino correct

To Francisco Jeronimo, research manager at IDC, present in the MWC, the way that you are taking the company Canada is correct. “BlackBerry has always been focused on their devices preferred by companies, and as they have now lost their market share, it is logical to make applications for Android and Apple”.

It is not the first time that Blackberry develops software for other companies. In 2013 it launched its popular messaging service BlackBerry Messenger on Android and iOS.

However, the announcement does not mean you stop making phones. Indeed, an important agendo signature now MWC ad.