BlackBerry might be down, but it's certainly not out; the old school smartphone manufacturer today announced its second Android handset – the DTEK50 – a midrange device designed for business market. While BlackBerry's first Android smartphone – the PRIV – was a BlackBerry through-and-through thanks to the slide-out physical keyboard, the DTEK50 is a bit more of a conventional touchscreen only device.
Instead, BlackBerry is hoping to sell the phone based on its security and privacy credentials.
"You wouldn’t put money in a bank that didn’t lock its safe, or leave the doors of your home unlocked at night," said BlackBerry on its official blog. "Having a smartphone that doesn’t take your privacy seriously is the equivalent. Therein lies the problem with the majority of Android phones – they don’t. "At BlackBerry, security has always been in our blood, and privacy has always been a priority. That’s why DTEK50, the newest touchscreen-based addition to our secure Android line, puts how you share the details of your private life – pictures, locations, texts, and more – entirely under your control."
BlackBerry says its revamped Android with a number of security focused feature at both the software and hardware level, and is faster at deploying security updates than other Android smartphone manufacturers.
The DTEK50's key specifications include a 5.2-inch 1080p display, Snapdragon 617 processor, 3GB of RAM, 16GB of expandable storage, a 2,610mAh battery, and a 13MP rear-facing camera.
Internationally, the DTEK50 will sell for USD$299. Local pricing and availability have yet to be confirmed, but a direct conversion would see the phone priced at around AUD$400 (before GST and any potential "Australia Tax").
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