A Blackberry phone with a physical keyboard will re-enter the market following a tie-up between the Canadian software firm, Foxconn-owned FIH Mobile and Texas-based technology start-up, OnwardMobility.
The 5G-enabled smartphone, which will run with the Android operating system, will be available in the first half of next year.
Ontario-based Blackberry, which stopped making phones in 2016, had licensed the brand and rights to Chinese manufacturer TCL but its contract is ending on August 31. This clears the way for the new companies to move in.
“BlackBerry smartphones are known for protecting communications, privacy, and data ... this is an incredible opportunity to bring next-generation 5G devices to market with the backing of BlackBerry and FIH Mobile,” Peter Franklin, chief executive of OnwardMobility, said.
BlackBerry – an early provider of messaging services and mobile email devices – was once a leader in mobile technology but rivals such as Samsung and Apple squeezed its market share over the years.
It has since switched its focus to software and other sectors, including autonomous vehicles.
“BlackBerry is thrilled OnwardMobility will deliver a 5G smartphone device with physical keyboard leveraging our high standards of trust and security synonymous with our brand,” said John Chen, executive chairman and chief executive of BlackBerry.
“Customers will experience the enterprise and government-level security and mobile productivity the new BlackBerry 5G smartphone will offer,” he added.
OnwardMobility will do the product planning, sales and marketing for BlackBerry smartphones, while FIH Mobile will design and manufacture the devices and look after the supply chain.
At first, the product will only be launched in North America and Europe. A timetable for a rollout into other regions was not given.
“We are committed to delivering new BlackBerry 5G devices to market, utilising our deep expertise in design, manufacturing, component supply and logistics management,” said Wen-Yi Kuo, executive director of FIH Mobile.
Global smartphone sales plummeted 16 per cent year-on-year in the second quarter of 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. However, industry analysts said the wider availability of 5G phones could improve overall sales.
Many smartphone manufacturers such as Samsung, Huawei, Oppo and OnePlus already sell 5G phones. Apple has yet to make an official announcement about its first 5G model.
A 5G network promises an internet speed of up to 1.2 gigabits per second, which will gradually reach 10Gbps — more than 100 times faster than 4G.
“Companies are rapidly investing in transformative technologies to improve productivity, but often don’t place enough emphasis on security, particularly in their use of mobile devices,” said Jack Gold, president of US-based consultancy J Gold Associates.
“With 5G quickly coming to market … deploying proven and highly secure products like the BlackBerry 5G devices in enterprises, government and regulated industries like finance or legal, are mission-critical," said Mr Gold.
The specs: 2019 GMC Yukon Denali
Price, base: Dh306,500
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Power: 420hp @ 5,600rpm
Torque: 621Nm @ 4,100rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.9L / 100km
World Cricket League Division 2
In Windhoek, Namibia - Top two teams qualify for the World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe, which starts on March 4.
UAE fixtures
Thursday February 8, v Kenya; Friday February 9, v Canada; Sunday February 11, v Nepal; Monday February 12, v Oman; Wednesday February 14, v Namibia; Thursday February 15, final
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F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
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Key findings
- Over a period of seven years, a team of scientists analysed dietary data from 50,000 North American adults.
- Eating one or two meals a day was associated with a relative decrease in BMI, compared with three meals. Snacks count as a meal. Likewise, participants who ate more than three meals a day experienced an increase in BMI: the more meals a day, the greater the increase.
- People who ate breakfast experienced a relative decrease in their BMI compared with “breakfast-skippers”.
- Those who turned the eating day on its head to make breakfast the biggest meal of the day, did even better.
- But scrapping dinner altogether gave the best results. The study found that the BMI of subjects who had a long overnight fast (of 18 hours or more) decreased when compared even with those who had a medium overnight fast, of between 12 and 17 hours.
House-hunting
Top 10 locations for inquiries from US house hunters, according to Rightmove
- Edinburgh, Scotland
- Westminster, London
- Camden, London
- Glasgow, Scotland
- Islington, London
- Kensington and Chelsea, London
- Highlands, Scotland
- Argyll and Bute, Scotland
- Fife, Scotland
- Tower Hamlets, London
The Details
Article 15
Produced by: Carnival Cinemas, Zee Studios
Directed by: Anubhav Sinha
Starring: Ayushmann Khurrana, Kumud Mishra, Manoj Pahwa, Sayani Gupta, Zeeshan Ayyub
Our rating: 4/5
Fitness problems in men's tennis
Andy Murray - hip
Novak Djokovic - elbow
Roger Federer - back
Stan Wawrinka - knee
Kei Nishikori - wrist
Marin Cilic - adductor
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WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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Team Angel Wolf Beach Blast takes place every Wednesday between 4:30pm and 5:30pm
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The specs: 2018 Maserati Ghibli
Price, base / as tested: Dh269,000 / Dh369,000
Engine: 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 355hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 500Nm @ 4,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.9L / 100km
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
