BlackBerry “Prague” low-end phone could be company’s Android device

Amidst all of the rumors of BlackBerry’s sale to a variety of potential suitors, we have also seen an uptick in claims that the company is working on an Android powered device to join its stable of smartphones. Last week reports surfaced indicating a new slider style BlackBerry phone would be that Android device. However, while that may still come to pass, new reports indicate BlackBerry’s rumored Android smartphone is actually a low-end all-touch device codenamed “Prague”.

Sources claim the new device is similar to a Sony Z3 it its styling. There is still no information on what a BlackBerry-fied version of Android may be like. The company could do minimal tweaking, maybe adding a BB10 inspired UI on top of Android like many manufacturers do or they could look at forking Android similar to what Amazon has done for their devices.

As far as why BlackBerry may be looking at a low-end device, one only needs to look at current market projections. Growth in mature smartphone markets is slowing and high-end device manufacturers are well-established and are pretty much battling it out amongst themselves for market share. Breaking into those mature markets, especially at the high-end, will be a huge challenge for anyone. However, emerging markets are projected to grow another 32.4% just this year according to IDC. Within those emerging markets, there is a lot of opportunity for low-end devices sold in volume at thin margins.

It is believed that BlackBerry is preparing the Prague for an August 2015 release and the rumored slider phone, whether powered by Android or something else, will follow a few months later.

source: N4BB

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Raised in North Carolina, Jeff Causey is a chief financial officer and licensed CPA in Durham, North Carolina. Jeff has owned an HTC EVO, a Samsung Note II, and a Samsung Galaxy Tablet 10.1. He currently uses an LG G3 and a Nexus 7 (2013). Recently Jeff added Google Glass to his stable of tech gadgets. Unfortunately, his wife and kids have all drunk the Apple Kool-Aid and have i-devices. Life at home often includes demonstrations of the superiority of his Android based devices. In his free time, Jeff is active in his church, a local MINI Cooper car club, and his daughter’s soccer club. Jeff is married, has three kids, and a golden retriever.

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Source = talkandroid

Tags = Android, BlackBerry, company’s, could, device, lowend, phone, “Prague”