National

BlackBerry makes bets on its future with expected Passport phone launch

Darpan News Desk Canadian Press, 24 Sep, 2014 10:59 AM

TORONTO - BlackBerry (TSX:BB) embarks on a crucial stage in its recovery plan Wednesday with the expected launch of its Passport smartphone and more details on the company's future direction.

A multi-city event will unfold in Toronto, Dubai and London, and has been teased by BlackBerry with a "boarding pass" invitation to members of the media.

Chief executive John Chen has already confirmed some of the specifics of the Passport device, which the company says is comparable in size to a government-issued identification booklet.

The smartphone has a square screen that measures 4.5 inches and a keyboard that's similar to the most popular BlackBerry models.

But aside from the BlackBerry Passport, the event will be a significant move by Chen to help boost his company's profile in the highly competitive smartphone market.

Since joining BlackBerry last fall, Chen has been tasked with turning around the struggling Waterloo, Ont.,-based company and he has responded by cutting expenses across international operations, reducing the workforce and changing priorities to focus on business customers instead of the consumer market.

But competitors like Apple's iPhone and Samsung's Galaxy models have been encroaching on the enterprise market, where BlackBerry was once considered nearly untouchable with its dominant market share.

The company responded by launching features like BBM Money in Indonesia, which allows users to pay through a BlackBerry Messenger app at participating retailers.

Blackberry has also opened up its secure enterprise platform to support Apple and Samsung smartphones.

Wednesday's multi-city event could offer a closer look at the BlackBerry Classic, a new take on its popular older smartphones that's slated to hit the market later this year.

Before the end of the year, BlackBerry is expected to release numerous software updates, including BlackBerry Enterprise Server 12, a refreshed version of its management system for IT professionals who oversee employee phones.

BlackBerry is also scheduled to report its second-quarter financial results on Friday.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Report makes five recommendations in wake of July labour force survey error

A report into an error in the July jobs report by Statistics Canada has made five recommendations to prevent future mistakes, including improved governance, testing protocols and diagnostics.

Report makes five recommendations in wake of July labour force survey error

Booze-Fuelled Fracas Forces Cuba-Bound Flight To Turn Back; Two Women Charged

A booze-fuelled fight between two women who were allegedly drinking and smoking in an airplane bathroom prompted Sunwing to turn a Cuba-bound flight back to Toronto, the airline said — along with a brief military jet escort.

Booze-Fuelled Fracas Forces Cuba-Bound Flight To Turn Back; Two Women Charged

Regulator asks telecoms to come up with a plan for dealing with paper bill fees

Telecom industry heavyweights were meeting Thursday to figure out what to do about the fees they impose on consumers who want to receive paper bills instead of on-line invoices.

Regulator asks telecoms to come up with a plan for dealing with paper bill fees

Man accused of stabbing 5 people to death in Calgary faces another delay

A psychiatric assessment for a man accused of stabbing five young people to death at a house party in Calgary has been done but the final report is not yet complete.

Man accused of stabbing 5 people to death in Calgary faces another delay

Trudeau 50 years late on shale gas, New Brunswick Premier David Alward says

Federal Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau is a half century behind when he says there should be greater scientific study before the shale gas industry expands, Premier David Alward said Thursday.

Trudeau 50 years late on shale gas, New Brunswick Premier David Alward says

Christy Clark says talk about the Constitution won't happen at premiers meeting

British Columbia Premier Christy Clark says there's little chance Canada's premiers will talk about bringing Quebec into the Constitution at their annual meeting in Charlottetown.