BlackBerry has lost its charm as even its devoted fans are nowadays perhaps using an iPhone or an Android handset. But still, as some people might be using a BlackBerry phone, the Canadian company has reiterate that its devices will no longer be able to support legacy services over cellular and Wi-Fi connectivity starting from 4th January 2022.
BlackBerry announce the move in September 2021 but extends its service as “an expression of thanks” to its loyal customers and partners.
The update is notably not applicable to BlackBerry phones base on the Android operating system.
From 4th January 2022, devices base on BlackBerry 7.1 OS and earlier, BlackBerry 10 software, BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.1 and earlier versions, will no longer be able to “reliably function,” as per the company said in a note on its website.
This means that there will be no guarantee that BlackBerry phones on cellular or Wi-Fi connectivity will be able to allow data access, make phone calls, send text messages, and even the emergency 911 functionality.
The Waterloo, Ontario-headquarter company tried hard to regain attraction.
In 2013, it brought BlackBerry 10 as a replacement of the aging BlackBerry OS to appeal to Android and iOS users.
BlackBerry also finally move to Android in 2015 and brings BlackBerry Priv as a new slider phone to take on the flagships of Apple and Samsung.
All this did not help it gain any success.
In 2016, BlackBerry ultimately brought licensing partners including TCL Communication for global markets and Optiemus Infracom in India to retain its brand name with third-party devices.
The licensing partners introduce models including BlackBerry KeyOne and Key2.
TCL in February 2020 announce that it would no longer produce BlackBerry phones.
While other brand licensees have also maintain silence since October 2018, following the launch of BlackBerry Key2 LE which came as the last phone brought under the brand.
Texas-base startup OnwardMobility in 2020 teased to launch a 5G BlackBerry phone in 2021.
The departure of legacy services from BlackBerry phones doesn’t mean that the brand BlackBerry is dead altogether.
BlackBerry is currently busy developing its security software and services for various enterprises and governments around the world.
BlackBerry even beat Wall Street estimates for its third-quarter revenue last week and reported a net profit of $74 million (approx. Rs. 551 crore).
That was significant in comparison with a loss of $130 million (approx. Rs. 970 crore) a year earlier.
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