Catch tomorrow's BlackBerry KEY2 reveal livestream

BlackBerrt Mobile is coming out with an all new KEY2 smartphone tomorrow and it is promising to surprise fans by improving on a winning formula as well as an improved design and form factor for the only serious Android smartphone featuring a QWERTY keyboard. Watch the unveiling tommorow at 10 AM EDT. Check the event here http://bbmobile.me/Live.

Microsoft and BlackBerry team up to offer smartphone security and productivity in enterprise

Microsoft and BlackBerry announced a strategic partnership to offer enterprises a solution that integrates BlackBerry’s expertise in mobility and security with Microsoft’s unmatched cloud and productivity products. Both companies have deep roots in enterprise as well as in mobile. While neither BlackBerry nor Microsoft currently have a dog in the fight for smartphones, they are combining strengths to bolster efforts on Android and iOS.

Through this partnership, the companies have collaborated on a first-of-its-kind solution: BlackBerry Enterprise BRIDGE. This technology provides a highly-secure way for their joint customers – the world’s largest banks, healthcare providers, law firms, and central governments – to seamlessly use native Microsoft mobile apps from within BlackBerry Dynamics.

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BlackBerry accuses Facebook of infringement over its messaging patents

CNN

BlackBerry has filed a lawsuit in California against Facebook and its subsidiaries WhatsApp and Instagram for what it says is infringement of its messaging patents. The company says the social media company has “co-opted” its patented innovations related to security, user interface, and battery life. But Facebook brushes off the suit claiming it’s just a desperate move from the beleaguered company. "Blackberry's suit sadly reflects the current state of its messaging business," Paul Grewal, Facebook's deputy general counsel, said in a statement. "Having abandoned its efforts to innovate, BlackBerry is now looking to tax the innovation of others. We intend to fight."

The patents cited in the lawsuit describe the key elements of modern day messaging including those that deal with notifications for the total number of unread messages, photo tagging, and messaging time stamps. It hasn’t been cited how much BlackBerry is asking in terms of damages. But it seems seeking money from the patents isn’t the only motivation, the company seems to want to partner with Facebook. "As a cybersecurity and embedded software leader, BlackBerry's view is that Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp could make great partners in our drive toward a securely connected future," BlackBerry’s spokesperson said in the statement. "We continue to hold this door open to them."

Source: CNN

BlackBerry shutting down BB10 store, paid apps to disappear on April 1

BlackBerry OS 10 has hung around longer than expected even after developers and top-tier apps have long moved away from the failed platform. While many intrepid and loyal BB10 users have tried to get by with sideloading Android APKs just to get by.

The inevitable is coming to pass, however, as paid apps on the BB10 will be gone by April 1. BlackBerry will continue maintainance and support until 2019, but it really is time to let go and transition to another platform. BlackBerry transitioned to Android way back in 2015, and then effectively sold or licensed off its hardware business to various players, the most notable of which is TCL whose revivalist KEYOne handset brings the best of BlackBerry's design and security while offering the Android ecosystem and all the apps and services that come with it.

Source: The Verge