The BlackBerry brand, as it was known for its smartphones, is largely discontinued. While the name persists, the company behind it has significantly shifted its focus.
Here's a breakdown:
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BlackBerry Smartphones (Classic Sense): Production and support for BlackBerry smartphones running the proprietary BlackBerry OS and BlackBerry 10 OS have ended. As of January 4, 2022, these devices no longer function reliably, including for data, phone calls, SMS, and 9-1-1 functionality.
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BlackBerry Limited (The Company): The company, formerly known as Research In Motion (RIM), still exists. However, it has pivoted away from hardware and is now primarily a cybersecurity and software company. They offer services related to:
- Cybersecurity Software: Protecting enterprises against cyber threats.
- IoT Solutions: Software and services for the Internet of Things, focusing on industries like automotive.
- QNX: A real-time operating system widely used in embedded systems, especially in the automotive industry (infotainment systems, advanced driver-assistance systems).
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OnwardMobility (Attempted Revival): In 2020, a company called OnwardMobility licensed the BlackBerry name to develop a new 5G BlackBerry smartphone with a physical keyboard. However, this project was canceled in February 2022.
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Resurgence with New Licensing (Sort Of): In 2024, BlackBerry licensee, Optiemus Infracom, hinted at new BlackBerry product offerings, but there are not concrete details available. This activity points to the possibility of future devices, though anything specific is yet to be realized.
In summary, while you can no longer buy or reliably use classic BlackBerry smartphones, the BlackBerry name may still be used under license; however, the original BlackBerry company (BlackBerry Limited) is now focused on software and security and is no longer involved in making phones.
