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Chen: BlackBerry will build an Android smartphone only if it can make it secure enough

Chen: BlackBerry will build an Android smartphone only if it can make it secure enough

Posted: 23 Jun 2015, 15:31 , posted by Florin T.

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Tags : BlackBerry -BlackBerry + Android -Android +

Chen: BlackBerry will build an Android smartphone only if it can make it secure enough

Earlier today, BlackBerry reported that it sold 1.1 million smartphones during the last quarter - 0.5 million less than in the previous quarter. Even so, the company isn't doing terribly bad (thanks to its services and software licensing business), and it will obviously continue to manufacture smartphones running BlackBerry OS. But what about those Android-related plans that the company is reportedly ready to pursue? Well, BlackBerry CEO John Chen today talked about this.

During an interview with CNBC (see the video embedded below), John Chen was asked what's the deal with all the rumors regarding Android-based BlackBerry handsets. His answer: "We only build secure phones, and BlackBerry is the most secure phone. So, if I can find a way to secure the Android phone, I will also build that." In other words, John Chen confirms the fact that BlackBerry is open to embracing Android in certain conditions, but for now he can't say more about this.

If we're to believe rumors, BlackBerry could launch its first Android smartphone as soon as August. The handset should be an entry-level, affordable one that resembles the BlackBerry Z3 (pictured above). A high-end BlackBerry Android device might follow, possibly bringing a Quad HD curved display and a slide-out QWERTY keyboard. Customers seem to like the idea of an Android-based BlackBerry, so let's wait and see if the Canadian company will indeed experiment with Google's OS.

source: CNBC via CrackBerry

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posted on 23 Jun 2015, 15:41 2

2. meanestgenius (Posts: 18805; Member since: 28 May 2014)

And that is the 10 million dollar question: Can BlackBerry make Android secure? BlackBerry handsets are secured from the hardware to the software. It's ingrained in the smartphone itself. Now, securing the hardware will be the easy part. But can they truly secure software that's inherently "open"? I guess if any company can do it, BlackBerry can.

posted on 23 Jun 2015, 15:50

4. NFSHesham (Posts: 297; Member since: 04 Feb 2014)

if anything.. they should throw away Google's bunch of apps and put their own depending on other stores for apps such as amazon

posted on 23 Jun 2015, 16:09 1

6. meanestgenius (Posts: 18805; Member since: 28 May 2014)

I will admit, I don't use a great deal of Android apps on my Passport. The majority of apps I use are native BB10 ones, and for those apps that aren't available for the BlackBerry platform that I might use, I use the web. For example: the Facebook Pages app won't run on BB10 due to it using Google Services. No problem, I just "pinned" the entire web page to my Passport home screen. That being said:

BlackBerry doesn't build consumer apps anymore, and BlackBerry has even asked the devs to switch to building enterprise apps native to BlackBerry. They've asked any dev that wants to build consumer apps to do so via Amazon. That's why they use Android apps.

posted on 23 Jun 2015, 20:48 1

20. sgodsell (Posts: 6485; Member since: 16 Mar 2013)

They need to support the core apps, especially if you want to support Android wearables as well. Like smart watches, VR, AR, fitness devices, glasses, and more. Not to mention the next wave of computing which is IoT. This is where Android already has access to a ton of devices and apps right now, with more always coming down the pipeline. Blackberry is no where to be found in these up and coming markets. Which promise the largest and next computing growth, especially the IoT world. If BlackBerry doesn't support Google apps and services, then they are just shooting themselves in the foot.

posted on 23 Jun 2015, 21:25 1

27. meanestgenius (Posts: 18805; Member since: 28 May 2014)

QNX ALREADY supports ALL of Androids core apps, as it can already run the Android OS itself atop it AND virtualized. It also wearables, and is already positioned AHEAD of the competition in IoT. QNX is already embedded in systems that Android isn't even remotely a part of, like stop lights and nuclear power plants. BlackBerry, thru QNX, is ALL OVER the IoT, even more than Google is. Where do you get your bogus info from? You really need to take off the fanboy blinders and do your research.

posted on 24 Jun 2015, 13:03 2

95. sgodsell (Posts: 6485; Member since: 16 Mar 2013)

Wow talk about fanboy blinders. I work on embedded systems and IoT devices.

So with QNX great hardware support is that why FitBit works sometimes for the majority of the times on Blackberry. The BlackBerry forms and apps clearly show this to be true. Also none of the current 8 Android Wear smart watches work on any Blackberry devices. Neither does the new Pebble Time or other smart watches. Same with the glasses, and other hardware and software support.

Although Blackberry has YouTube support. It does NOT support the new 3D/VR/360 view support that is in YouTube today. You know for things like VR. Do you even know what VR is? I guess you wouldn't if you are using a Blackberry device.

You talk about virtualization, and Android. Okay Mr. smarty pants so if QNX is running on some hardware, and Android OS itself is atop of QNX. Doesn't it make sense that QNX has to support the hardware, even the CPU that QNX is running on? Sure that makes sense, doesn't it? So does QNX run on MediaTek processors? Does QNX run on Nvidia processors, and many others? If it does then why hasn't BlackBerry made with these processors? It certainly would cut down production costs if they did use other chips. I think BlackBerry themselves realize that QNX is BlackBerry's Achilles heel, even if you don't meanestgenius.

Now onto a topic that you are clearly ignorant on, or have been sleeping under a rock for too long. So do you honestly believe that QNX is AHEAD of the competition in IoT? Clearly you showing the world that you are devoid of any facts. Linux right now is the dominate force behind IoT by a land slide. It certainly isn't QNX, Windows, iOS, or OS/X. So what is Android's heart? It is Linux. Android runs on top of Linux. All the hardware support and drivers are for Linux when it comes to the Android OS. All the existing IoT and SBCs as well as the new ones yet to come have Linux support. For instance boards like Intel Edison, Galileo, all Raspberry Pi's, Banana Pi, Beaglebone Black, MinnowBoard, ODROID's, Arduino Yun, DragonBoard, and tons more. They all run and support Linux out of the box, and most have Android support as well. I don't see any of them supporting QNX. There is a few startups that are bringing really inexpensive IoT devices like Chip for $9 which comes with Linux, WiFi, BT, 1 GHz processor 512 MB of ram, 4 GB of storage. I don't see any QNX support any where to be found. Here is something else that reaffirms what I was saying to be true. Is that Apple released Swift 2.0 and they are supporting runtimes for OS/X, iOS, and Linux. They didn't release QNX or Windows support even. BTW Apple released the source code for only the compiler and the standard libraries, but they didn't release the runtime code. Apple released a runtime for Linux because they also know that Linux is the dominate force in IoT. QNX is looking for table scraps like the rest.

posted on 23 Jun 2015, 23:02

49. BobbyDigital (Posts: 2121; Member since: 29 May 2014)

Chin checked ONCE AGAIN! LMAO!!

posted on 24 Jun 2015, 13:09 2

96. sgodsell (Posts: 6485; Member since: 16 Mar 2013)

Yeah, and if you up voted him. Then you also proved to the world that you are as ignorant and devoid of any technical knowledge like him.

posted on 23 Jun 2015, 21:11 2

24. jroc74 (Posts: 6019; Member since: 30 Dec 2010)

I know I mentioed this before...but Moto proved it can secure their Android phones on the hardware side of things. (or the firmware side, whichever is more correct)

If BB really are the kings of mobile phone security...prove it and make a secure BB device running Android.

I mean...if Linux is used by corporations, businesses on mission critical servers....open source cant be that insecure. I guess the biggest hurdle would be connecting to the internet and making it secure. I dont believe servers are connected to the internet. Unless they make a BB Android phone that cannot connect to the net and has side loading disabled, taken completely out.

One job I worked at we couldnt bring any electronic devices in the office that could connect to the internet or outside the office. That included regular cell phones....they all had to go in lockers in the hallway. Smartphones, regular cell, tablets, etc. They did allow old school cd players tho. mp3 players was kinda iffy because of storage on the devices.

posted on 23 Jun 2015, 21:30 2

28. meanestgenius (Posts: 18805; Member since: 28 May 2014)

Android/Linux is NO WHERE NEAR as secure as BB10/QNX. QNX is already in mission critical systems in hospitals, satellites and nuclear power plants. BlackBerry is the king of mobile security, but it's kind of difficult to secure something that's inherently open. But if anyone can do it, BlackBerry can.

posted on 23 Jun 2015, 22:07 2

31. jroc74 (Posts: 6019; Member since: 30 Dec 2010)

So...I guess you will just disregard what I said about Linux and servers....huh.....

http://www.tecmint.com/big-companies-and-devices-running-on-gnulinux/

If NASA is happy with Linux..cant be that bad.

QNX hasnt replaced every server running Linux out there....so it cant be that insecure. For all the times you mention others being fanboys...you come off like it too at times.

posted on 23 Jun 2015, 22:36 3

38. meanestgenius (Posts: 18805; Member since: 28 May 2014)

Never once did I say that QNX replaced every server running Linux.

Linux is no where near as secure as QNX. QNX is embedded in more mission critical systems than Linux.

I back up everything I say with facts, and links, if need be.

So YOU'RE continually disregarding anything about what I'm saying about QNX...huh...

http://www.qnx.com/partners/partners_list.html...

Fanboys don't come off with factual links like I do. They just keep trying to push their agenda like you do.

http://www.qnx.com/company/.

posted on 23 Jun 2015, 22:52 1

43. jroc74 (Posts: 6019; Member since: 30 Dec 2010)

Dont worry,,,,,you showed your true colors when you just dimissed what I said about Linux and NASA and DoD...the icing on the cake is the "Black phone hacked in 5 minutes" rumor you post as fact...lol.

Uh...so...I'm a fanboy with an agenda...when I post at least two very important agencies in the govt that use Linux on a daily basis....

??

DoD is made up of more than 1 agency too..ya know... Whats funny is QNX and just plain Linux could be both used by NASA and DoD....and we would both be posting facts. But you fanboy colors are really showing now.

posted on 23 Jun 2015, 23:05 1

51. meanestgenius (Posts: 18805; Member since: 28 May 2014)

You've shown your colors from day one on every Windows article PA has posted. You're one of those fanboys that thinks Android is the be all, end all OS, and it isn't. HTC, Sony and Motorola all prove me right.

How did I ignore what you posted about Nasa? Because I didn't comment on that particular part of your post? AND? I've given you a huge list of companies that use QNX, including nuclear power plants, and you've yet to comment on that.

The DoD does not use ANY Linux based handset for communications. They don't have the certs for it. What's funnier is that you think QNX is "plain Linux" and it isn't. But it CAN run Linux atop it.

Your fanboyism hit an all time high since you really believe the Blackphone being hacked was just a rumor.

posted on 23 Jun 2015, 23:47 2

67. jroc74 (Posts: 6019; Member since: 30 Dec 2010)

Yea...keep trying to move the goal posts....

Remember....PA posts are cemented for all enternity after so many seconds.....please go back and quote me where I said the Black Phone ....never...got....hacked....

I am dying to see this quote....

posted on 23 Jun 2015, 23:51 2

70. meanestgenius (Posts: 18805; Member since: 28 May 2014)

Please quote me where I said in my above post that YOU said Blackphone never....got....hacked....I'll wait.

I'm really am waiting to see this quote.

Reading comprehension clearly isn't your strong suit.

posted on 24 Jun 2015, 00:48 1

85. jroc74 (Posts: 6019; Member since: 30 Dec 2010)

Ma'am...If you really wanna play this game....we can play....

Your posts...ok? Your posts... But I will not exert any extra energy by posting screen shots....you may claim they are fake.....fanboys usually have a warped sense of reality.

Post #46...I just posted to some other nonsese post of your about inferring. Notice how you say....The Blackphone got HACKED. No mention of hacked..in...5....minutes....

you goalpost mover you....

Post #51 No inferring there just plain ole...stupidity.

See, I even put them in chronological order for ya..oops I mean numeric order...oh man...is they a more dumbed down way to say this? if I do hope you dont get lost. I really do.

posted on 23 Jun 2015, 22:12 2

32. jroc74 (Posts: 6019; Member since: 30 Dec 2010)

http://www.techrepublic.com/article/five-big-names-that-use-linux-on-the-desktop/

If the Dept of Defense is happy with Linux....again....cant be that insecure...

Reading up on QNX....seems like we are arguing about 2 sides of the same coin....with it being related to Unix...

posted on 23 Jun 2015, 22:38 2

39. meanestgenius (Posts: 18805; Member since: 28 May 2014)

It's not as secure as QNX. If Linux gets hacked, it's HACKED. The QNX neutrino isolates and shuts down any offending process without harm to the rest of the OS.

posted on 23 Jun 2015, 22:53 2

44. jroc74 (Posts: 6019; Member since: 30 Dec 2010)

You post that like no other OS can have their own sandbox environment too..

Seriously?

You do realize web browsers can have their own sandbox environment too, right?

Seriously?

posted on 23 Jun 2015, 23:07 1

53. meanestgenius (Posts: 18805; Member since: 28 May 2014)

Not like QNX can. Dude, get your head out of your @$$. You're comparing a Realtime embedded OS that securely runs nuclear power plants and hospital equipment to a WEB BROWSER?? REALLY?????

posted on 23 Jun 2015, 23:49 1

69. jroc74 (Posts: 6019; Member since: 30 Dec 2010)

No....whats funny is you think QNX invented sandbox environments....

And you think NASA and the DoD just run any ole OS on their networks....you act like QNX is the end all be all.....never mind Android fanboys that do.

Never mistake someone not agreeing with you as being a fanboy....thats also a fanboy trait.

But keep talking....remeber that quote I posted about its better for a fool to keep his mouth shut than to speak and remove all doubt...

posted on 23 Jun 2015, 23:53 2

71. meanestgenius (Posts: 18805; Member since: 28 May 2014)

Show me where I said QNX invented sandboxes....I'll wait again.

That quote you keep bringing up? Perhaps you should take the advice given in it.

posted on 24 Jun 2015, 00:40 1

84. jroc74 (Posts: 6019; Member since: 30 Dec 2010)

Its called infering. Look it up.

Slow time again? Slow time again.

I....said...you...post....that...like......no....other....OS.....can....have....their...own.....sanbox.....environment.......

I....never....said......you......said....QNX.....invented sandbox environments.....

posted on 24 Jun 2015, 00:53 1

86. jroc74 (Posts: 6019; Member since: 30 Dec 2010)

Ok...post #69. See...folks....this is what happens when you let fanboys run amok.

Yea I did post you ....think.....QNX invented sanboxes.

Oh goodie.....2 points for you. Maybe 1 and 1/2 points.

Now lets gets back to the goalpost movement you've been trying to accomplish when getting called out for the "Blackphone hacked in 5 minutes" rumor.

(I bet you feel all warm inside for my lil slip up huh...the fanboys around the net will feel proud)

posted on 23 Jun 2015, 22:58

47. jroc74 (Posts: 6019; Member since: 30 Dec 2010)

Specific apps, services that can create a sanbox environment...

Seriously....

You posted that like its something new.

posted on 23 Jun 2015, 23:09 1

54. meanestgenius (Posts: 18805; Member since: 28 May 2014)

See comment #53 and put down the !Diot juice.

posted on 23 Jun 2015, 22:18 1

33. jroc74 (Posts: 6019; Member since: 30 Dec 2010)

Which I dont get when it comes to the debates when Android, iOS all are related to Unix too. Its about what companies do with the OS that makes the difference.

BB can compile Android and make it as secure as they want it to be.

posted on 23 Jun 2015, 22:40 1

40. meanestgenius (Posts: 18805; Member since: 28 May 2014)

It still won't be as secure as BB10. Chen said it himself:

"BlackBerry only makes secure handsets. IF I can make Android secure, I will build Android handsets also".

Don't you think he would have built one by now?

posted on 24 Jun 2015, 01:11 1

87. jroc74 (Posts: 6019; Member since: 30 Dec 2010)

Yea...I missed this more rationale post by you.

Cant have it both ways. On one hand you say us Android fanboys (yea I guess I'm a fanboy now since I dont just go along with something someone says) want everything running Android.

Building one by know would have literally made some of you BB....fanb...fans sick.

Him saying that doesnt say it wont be as secure, ever. That IF is a pretty big IF.

IF one day he does make a forked version as secure as BB10, then what? Once upon time Elop said using Android was like peeing in one's pants to keep warm. Chen never said anything as harsh, and even this isnt saying a definite no like Elop did.

How many Android products with the Nokia name on it are out now? Just like Android could one day fall in marketshare, popularity and disappear.....never underestimate what the future can bring. Too many wow moments have happened in the mobile space to doubt anything from ever happening.

BB's fall in marketshare, RIP Palm....the rise of the iPhone and definitely MS trying to play nice with Google, Android. Anything's possible.