BlackBerry

Revived BlackBerry still needs to prove itself in U.S.

BlackBerry has built up a nice head of steam. The question is whether it can keep the momentum going.

So far, there's been a lot to like about the BlackBerry Z10's launch. Early consumer sales have been stronger than expected; retailers have acknowledged strong demand; and BlackBerry said an "established partner" placed an order for 1 million units -- the largest order in the company's history.

All of this is fuel for BlackBerry's turnaround ambitions. The company hopes its next-generation BlackBerry 10 platform, led by the Z10, gives existing BlackBerry users a reason to … Read more

WhatsApp now available on BlackBerry 10

WhatsApp for BlackBerry 10 is now available in BlackBerry World, which means droves of new users will get the ability to send and receive messages without having to pay for SMS.

In WhatsApp for BlackBerry 10, users get the ability to exchange messages with other users, no matter what platform they may be on, all through a carrier data connection or Wi-Fi connection. The app also offers instant push notifications for incoming messages and full integration with BlackBerry contacts.

While Android and iOS users might be scoffing at the news, the addition of another platform should, in fact, affect them, … Read more

As Z10 preorders start, BlackBerry nets huge order for new devices

BlackBerry announced today that an "established partner" has ordered 1 million BlackBerry 10 devices. Though a company spokeswoman declined to name the partner in a phone call with CNET, the order is the largest single purchase in the company's history.

The news came just as Verizon Wireless revealed that it would start accepting preorders for the new BlackBerry Z10 beginning at 8 a.m. ET tomorrow. Devices will then arrive in stores and be available for direct purchase online two weeks later on March 28.

Big Red, which promised that it would carry the Z10 moments after … Read more

Must-have NFC smartphones

NFC technology has been poised to reach critical mass, at least in the U.S., for years now. Touted to bestow upon smartphones a wide range of magical solutions, proponents of NFC (near field communication) have said it will enable everything from using your phone as a digital wallet, serving as a secure and convenient method of identification, to even unlocking your home's front door.

And if the technology's big presence at MWC 2013 was any indication, it seems the long wait for the wonderful world of NFC might actually be nearing an end. Yes, almost all of … Read more

Sprint eyeing alternative BB10 touch-screen phone

Apparently there's a reason Sprint passed up the BlackBerry Z10. Along with holding out for the BB10-powered Q10, the carrier may have plans for a new touch-screen handset from BlackBerry.

If sources close to All Things Digital are accurate, then Sprint has its eye on an additional all-screen phone other than the Z10, which BlackBerry may have up its sleeve. … Read more

AT&T could sell BlackBerry Z10 on March 15

New reports suggest that AT&T will be the first U.S. carrier out of the gate with the BlackBerry Z10 on March 15. If they pan out, then it reveals BlackBerry's true weakness despite the hype of BB10.

Originally reported by N4BB and echoed by mobile news sites Phone Arena and BlackBerryOS, AT&T apparently has moved up its plans to push the Z10 out to the American public. If sources close to N4B can be trusted, then BlackBerry's most advanced handset could hit the street the day after the Samsung Galaxy S4's big unveiling. … Read more

Locked-down BlackBerry offers classified, personal use

HANNOVER, Germany--In today's James Bond world, smartphones get you instant access to top-secret information. In the real world, security constraints mean mobile phones generally aren't nearly so clever or convenient.

BlackBerry and Secusmart hope to change that through a partnership that at least has won over the German federal government. It has authorized purchases of phones with the BlackBerry 10 operating system augmented with Secusmart's SD card-mounted security chips for classified communications, said Hans-Christoph Quelle, Secusmart managing director, speaking here at the CeBit technology show.

The approach uses a feature in BlackBerry 10 called Balance, which partitions … Read more

BlackBerry 10 users, here's your first software update

BlackBerry 10 users are already being treated to their first update to the new operating system.

Handset maker BlackBerry today announced that its update, which will be delivered over the air, improves the performance of third-party applications, ensuring that they run a bit faster and smoother. In addition, the update addresses some problems users are finding with Gmail calendar support and importing contacts from online sources.

BlackBerry launched its new OS software at the end of January, introducing as well the touch-screen BlackBerry Z10 smartphone and the keyboard-equipped Q10. The Z10 is so far available in the U.K., Canada, … Read more

BlackBerry Z10 makes passage to India, with $800 price tag

India is now the latest country to get BlackBerry's Z10 handset.

The company today announced that it has launched the smartphone in India for 43,490 rupees ($800). The device is already available in the U.K. and Canada.

According to BlackBerry, the handset will be offered in over 2,000 retail locations across 50 cities around India. The handset will support carriers running 3G or HSPA+ networks, and the handsets will fully support global roaming.

BlackBerry is taking its time offering its new line of handsets around the world: The U.S. is expected to get the Z10 … Read more

Instagram reportedly says no native app for BlackBerry 10

As BlackBerry 10 works to get a foothold in the smartphone market, it's considered crucial that the platform carry all the components important to users. Besides a camera, Wi-Fi support, and a well-designed interface, the smartphone also needs to be able to carry popular apps.

However, it's looking like one of the world's most popular apps isn't planning on developing a version for BlackBerry 10. Instagram is reportedly not going to create a native BlackBerry 10 app, according to AllThingsD. VentureBeat also reported on this back in October.

"There will be no [native] Instagram for … Read more