BlackBerry to discontinue app store on December 31, 2019

Signifying an end of an era and the complete dissolution of the BlackBerry app ecosystem, the BlackBerry app store will close its doors for good on December 31, 2019. This means no access to apps or updates of apps for BB10 devices which, at this point, are only being marginally supported. Even the BlackBerry PRIV is no longer supported (no more updates) which means it can expect to die a slow excruciating update-less death. This is BlackBerry the company washing its hands completely from their mobile devices, which at this point, are just a burden to support.

Now, BlackBerry Mobile, a subsidiary of TCL, is the company that's released the KEYOne and the Motion smartphones and they will continue to create and support those devices. They have nothing to do with the PRIV or earlier handsets but are offering a possible trade-in program to help users transition to newer devices. It's a sad reality but one that has been coming for years for true BlackBerry fans. Many of who have had to sideload Android apps just to try and get by.

Source: Engadget

BlackBerry's PRIV Android smartphone now available for pre-order in Canada for $899

Blackberry's PRIV smartphone is now available for pre-order in Canada, the United States, and UK. Built on BlackBerry’s legacy of securing and keeping private our customers’ data, PRIV brings the best of BlackBerry’s security, privacy and access to both a touchscreen and a slide-out QWERTY keyboard.

The device offers unique tools and features – like DTEK, our exclusive warning system app that lets you know when your privacy could be at risk so you can take action to improve it – as well as an elegant, slim design with a slide-out physical keyboard, 5.4-inch dual-curved screen and a powerful 18MP camera. And of course, access to the Google Play store to easily download all the apps you want.

PRIV will be the solution for smartphone users who are learning daily of the lack of privacy they have on their current devices. PRIV will be the answer for former BlackBerry users who miss the physical keyboard but want more apps. And we’re responding to current – and prospective – BlackBerry users who need it all: choice, innovation, security, privacy and productivity.

Where to order

Customers in Canada, United States, and UK can pre-order PRIV from ShopBlackBerry.com. PRIV will be priced at $699 USD in the US, $899 CDN in Canada and £559 incl. VAT in the UK. We invite you to learn more at BlackBerry.com and to visit our Inside BlackBerry blog for more details on where to pre-order PRIV.