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BlackBerry and Facebook agree to settle patent fight

Submitted by Bla1ze on Sat, 01/16/2021 - 12:56

Facebook launch screen on BlackBerry KEY2

The legal battles between BackBerry and Facebook which started back in 2018 have run their course and as of yesterday, both parties have agreed to settle.

Although the terms of the deal were not announced, BlackBerry spokeswoman Karen Clyne noted "We have resolved our disputes pursuant to a confidential agreement and have no further comment".

Following the news BlackBerry stock rose as much as 26.8%, making it the second day BlackBerry stock made signifcant gains. Earlier this week, the stock rose as much as 25% following the news of the company selling smartphone patents to Huawei.

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BlackBerry
News & Rumors

BlackBerry sells off 90 smartphone patents to Huawei

Submitted by Bla1ze on Wed, 01/13/2021 - 14:54

BlackBerry Logo

Following a report from The Globe and Mail stating that BlackBerry had sold off 90 key smartphone technology patents to Huawei, BlackBerry CFO Steve Rai confirmed the deal yesterday during a JP Morgan virtual investor conference.

According to the US Patent and Trademark Office, ownership of the patents was transferred to Huawei on December 23rd. Speaking of the deal, Steve Rai noted they were a "very small number of patents that are no longer relevant to the business. So, small sale, not part of our recurring transaction. And certainly, it was permitted under the applicable rules."

Since 2014 when BlackBerry launched their BlackBerry Technology Solutions (BTS) business unit, they have been maximizing their efforts to license or sell some of their 38,000 patents held which inlcude those from QNX, Certicom, Paratek and more. Still, the sale has raised questions among many about Canada's innovation strategy citing possible national security issues.

Discuss more in the CrackBerry Forums

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BlackBerry
News & Rumors

OnwardMobility is growing their Global Sales Team

Submitted by Bla1ze on Tue, 01/12/2021 - 15:30

Onward Mobility

Although we haven't heard a ton from OnwardMobility since they announced a new 5G BlackBerry with a keyboard would be arriving in 2021, it seems as though they have been working hard on growing their team according to a new announcement posted to their blog.

OnwardMobility is growing! Today, we're excited to announce significant new hires for our global sales team to meet the need for the growing global interest in our company. We're welcoming to the team industry veterans Géraud Boutibonnes as Vice President General Manager EMEA and Global Accounts (EU) and Matthew McFee as Vice President of Government Sales. With more than 60 years' combined experience, both Mr. Boutibonnes and Mr. McFee will contribute to growing OnwardMobility's global sales and will report to OnwardMobility's EVP of Sales Chuck Becher.

"We continue to see increased excitement about our company and pent up demand for our new robust devices, and the addition of Géraud and Matthew enables us to quickly ramp up our sales efforts throughout EMEA and with key government accounts," said Peter Franklin, CEO of OnwardMobility. "Both Géraud and Matthew bring extensive experience in increasing wireless device sales in key markets and will be important contributors to bringing to market OnwardMobility's global flagship device, a feature-rich, 5G Android smartphone that delivers on security and productivity."

Seeing some action on the hiring front is fantastic. In order to make it all work, you need great people on the front lines to help out but as an admittedly impatient BlackBerry fan, I just want to see some teases of new BlackBerry hardware.

Press Release

OnwardMobility Expands Global Sales Team

OnwardMobility is growing! Today, we're excited to announce significant new hires for our global sales team to meet the need for the growing global interest in our company. We're welcoming to the team industry veterans Géraud Boutibonnes as Vice President General Manager EMEA and Global Accounts (EU) and Matthew McFee as Vice President of Government Sales. With more than 60 years' combined experience, both Mr. Boutibonnes and Mr. McFee will contribute to growing OnwardMobility's global sales and will report to OnwardMobility's EVP of Sales Chuck Becher.

"We continue to see increased excitement about our company and pent up demand for our new robust devices, and the addition of Géraud and Matthew enables us to quickly ramp up our sales efforts throughout EMEA and with key government accounts," said Peter Franklin, CEO of OnwardMobility. "Both Géraud and Matthew bring extensive experience in increasing wireless device sales in key markets and will be important contributors to bringing to market OnwardMobility's global flagship device, a feature-rich, 5G Android smartphone that delivers on security and productivity."

About Géraud Boutibonnes, Vice President General Manager EMEA and Global Accounts (EU)

With more than 25 years of experience in telecommunications and wireless sales, Mr. Boutibonnes is responsible for establishing and expanding OnwardMobility's sales footprint within the EMEA region and brings extensive experience in building sales organizations and engaging EMEA carriers. With a track record of strong growth performance and successful management of large-scale global businesses, Mr. Boutibonnes has led outstanding performances in sales, marketing and operations, engaged and motivated large teams, and developed senior leaders for the Alcatel and BlackBerry brands. For the past 10 years, Mr. Boutibonnes developed mobile broadband, CiOT, and delivered innovative solutions with global carriers headquartered in Europe (Vodafone, T-Mobile, Orange, Telefonica, CKH) as VP of global accounts and partnership in TCL. Mr. Boutibonnes will be based in Paris, France. EMEA customers can directly connect with Géraud Boutibonnes via LinkedIn.

About Matthew McFee, Vice President of Government Sales

Matthew McFee brings over 35 years of wireless experience to the team. At OnwardMobility, he will be instrumental in positioning Onward Mobility's BlackBerry devices as the most trusted and secure solution serving government markets around the globe. His career started with Motorola in East Tennessee where he focused on special markets including radio common carriers, federal government and subscriber cellular, which led him to Atlanta as the Southeast Area Sales Manager. He was recruited by his customer (BellSouth) to lead the New Product and Services Development team in the U.S. and eventually for BellSouth International in LATAM. He has a proven ability to build and develop successful teams with Motorola, BellSouth, Kyocera and Sonim, as well as longstanding professional relations with federal and state agencies for secured tactical communications. Mr. McFee will be based in East Tennessee. North American government customers can directly connect with Matthew McFee via LinkedIn.

Interested in learning more about OnwardMobility?

  • Potential financial partners may email: FinancialPartners@OnwardMobility.com.
  • Businesses interested in ensuring access to early production or in pre-ordering devices may email: Contact@OnwardMobility.com.
  • Businesses interested in ensuring access to early production or in pre-ordering devices may email: Contact@OnwardMobility.com.
  • Those interested in working with OnwardMobility to solve today's pressing security challenges may send resumes to: Recruiting@OnwardMobility.com.
  • For media inquiries, please reach out to onwardmobility@rainierco.com
  • To connect with us on social media, follow us on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.
Tag: 
OnwardMobility
News & Rumors

BlackBerry reports Q3 Fiscal 2021 earnings

Submitted by Bla1ze on Thu, 12/17/2020 - 17:30

BlackBerry Logo

Right on schedule, BlackBerry has now reported their Q3 Fiscal 2021 earnings which highlight sequential software and services revenue growth.

  • Total company non-GAAP revenue of $224 million; total company GAAP revenue of $218 million.
  • Non-GAAP earnings per basic and diluted share of $0.02; GAAP loss per basic and diluted share of $0.23.
  • Net cash generated from operating activities of $29 million.

"We are pleased to report solid financial results this quarter, delivering sequential software and services revenue growth in line with our outlook. This quarter we delivered exciting new technology releases, especially our AI-driven BlackBerry Cyber Suite. We also made significant progress with partnerships," Said John Chen, Executive Chairman & CEO, BlackBerry.

"Our recently-announced multi-year, exclusive partnership with AWS to co-develop and co-market BlackBerry IVY, is both strategic and unique. This new platform will create a recurring-revenue business, bringing together BlackBerry's extensive experience and footprint in embedded automotive with AWS' unparalleled cloud reach, consumer experience and interface."

A conference call and live webcast will be held today beginning at 5:30 p.m. ET, which can be accessed by dialing +1 (877) 682-6267 or by logging on at BlackBerry.com/Investors. If you miss it, there will be a replay of the conference available at approximately 8:30 p.m. ET by dialing +1 (800) 585-8367 and entering Conference ID #7510319.

Press Release

BlackBerry Reports Sequential Software and Services Revenue Growth, Non-GAAP Profitability and Positive Free Cash Flow for Fiscal 2021 Third Quarter

  • Total company non-GAAP revenue of $224 million; total company GAAP revenue of $218 million.
  • Non-GAAP earnings per basic and diluted share of $0.02; GAAP loss per basic and diluted share of $0.23.
  • Net cash generated from operating activities of $29 million.

WATERLOO, ON, Dec. 17, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- BlackBerry Limited (NYSE: BB; TSX: BB) today reported financial results for the three months ended November 30, 2020 (all figures in U.S. dollars and U.S. GAAP, except where otherwise indicated).

"We are pleased to report solid financial results this quarter, delivering sequential software and services revenue growth in line with our outlook. This quarter we delivered exciting new technology releases, especially our AI-driven BlackBerry® Cyber Suite. We also made significant progress with partnerships," Said John Chen, Executive Chairman & CEO, BlackBerry. "Our recently-announced multi-year, exclusive partnership with AWS to co-develop and co-market BlackBerry IVY, is both strategic and unique. This new platform will create a recurring-revenue business, bringing together BlackBerry's extensive experience and footprint in embedded automotive with AWS' unparalleled cloud reach, consumer experience and interface."

Third Quarter Fiscal 2021 Financial Highlights

  • Total company non-GAAP revenue for the third quarter of fiscal 2021 was $224 million. Total company GAAP revenue for the third quarter of fiscal 2021 was $218 million.
  • Software and Services non-GAAP revenue for the third quarter of fiscal 2021 was $168 million. Software and Services GAAP revenue for the third quarter of fiscal 2021 was $162 million.
  • Non-GAAP gross margin was 70% and GAAP gross margin was 68%.
  • Non-GAAP operating earnings were $14 million. GAAP operating loss was $127 million, primarily due to fair value adjustments to long-term debt.
  • Non-GAAP earnings per share was $0.02 (basic and diluted). GAAP net loss per share was $0.23 (basic and diluted).
  • Total cash, cash equivalents, short-term and long-term investments were $757 million.
  • Net cash generated from operating activities was $29 million.

Third Quarter Business Highlights & Strategic Announcements

  • AWS and BlackBerry join forces to accelerate innovation with new intelligent vehicle data platform, BlackBerry IVY.
  • BlackBerry QNX has design wins with 19 of the top 25 Electric Vehicle OEMs, who together have 61% of EV market.
  • BlackBerry unveils industry's first Unified Endpoint Security (UES) solution for AI-powered Cybersecurity, BlackBerry Cyber Suite. Cyber Suite will Integrate with all leading UEMs, including Microsoft Intune.
  • BlackBerry launches industry's first user behavior AI technology for Cybersecurity, BlackBerry Persona® Desktop.
  • BlackBerry launches new AI-powered Mobile Threat Defense (MTD) solution to protect against mobile malware and phishing attacks, BlackBerry Protect Mobile.
  • BlackBerry Unified Endpoint Manager (UEM) software has achieved National Security Agency (NSA) Commercial Solutions for Classified Program (CSfC) approval.
  • Announced new global BlackBerry Partner Program that combines the award-winning BlackBerry Enterprise Partner Program and
  • BlackBerry Cylance Partner Programs into one unified comprehensive structure.
  • BlackBerry uncovered massive hack-for-hire group, BAHAMUT, targeting governments, businesses, human rights groups and influential individuals.
  • Launched QNX OS for Safety 2.2, a new release of the trusted, safety-certified operating system certified by the independent auditors at TÜV Rheinland to IEC 61508 SIL3 (Industrial), ISO 26262 ASIL D (Automotive), and IEC 62304 Class C (Medical devices) functional safety standards.

Outlook

BlackBerry will provide fiscal year 2021 outlook in connection with the quarterly earnings announcement on its earnings conference call. The earnings call transcript will be made available on our website and on SEDAR.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The tables at the end of this press release include a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measures used by the company to comparable U.S. GAAP measures and an explanation of why the company uses them.

Conference Call and Webcast

A conference call and live webcast will be held today beginning at 5:30 p.m. ET, which can be accessed by dialing +1 (877) 682-6267 or by logging on at BlackBerry.com/Investors. Slides relating to the recent BlackBerry IVY announcement will be shown during the live webcast. These slides will be made available on the BlackBerry.com/Investors website at 5:30 p.m. ET. A replay of the conference call will also be available at approximately 8:30 p.m. ET by dialing +1 (800) 585-8367 and entering Conference ID #7510319 and at the link above.

About BlackBerry

BlackBerry (NYSE: BB; TSX: BB) provides intelligent security software and services to enterprises and governments around the world. The company secures more than 500M endpoints including more than 175M cars on the road today. Based in Waterloo, Ontario, the company leverages AI and machine learning to deliver innovative solutions in the areas of cybersecurity, safety and data privacy solutions, and is a leader in the areas of endpoint security management, encryption, and embedded systems. BlackBerry's vision is clear - to secure a connected future you can trust. BlackBerry. Intelligent Security. Everywhere. For more information, visit BlackBerry.com and follow @BlackBerry.

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BlackBerry
News & Rumors

BlackBerry prevails in MobileIron patent and civil extortion case

Submitted by Bla1ze on Fri, 12/11/2020 - 20:11

BlackBerry Logo

BlackBerry today revealed that earlier this week, the California federal court approved dismissing with prejudice claims that BlackBerry attempted to extort MobileIron through a patent licensing agreement.

In its complaint filed earlier this year, MobileIron claimed that BlackBerry attempted "civil extortion" by sending MobileIron notices of patent infringement. But as BlackBerry maintained throughout the suit, BlackBerry's efforts to enforce its patent rights were at all times proper, and MobileIron's claims to the contrary were both "abusive" and "meritless." The dismissal of MobileIron's claims vindicates BlackBerry's position and the propriety of BlackBerry's licensing practices.

"BlackBerry is a pioneer in mobile security and enterprise software and has always stood behind its technologies and licensing practices," said Steve Rai, Chief Financial Officer, BlackBerry. "We are gratified that these meritless claims have been definitively put to rest and will continue to vigorously defend BlackBerry's position. We appreciate the change in direction that Ivanti, MobileIron's new owner, has taken with respect to this suit and look forward to working with them to reconcile the remaining open items."

As a result of the dismissal, MobileIron will have to pay BlackBerry's costs and attorney's fees incurred defending against the claims.

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BlackBerry
News & Rumors

BlackBerry to announce Fiscal Year 2021 Q3 results on December 17, 2020

Submitted by Bla1ze on Thu, 12/03/2020 - 16:41

BlackBerry logo on black background

Before we all say goodbye to 2020, BlackBerry has to announce its Fiscal Year 2021 Q3 results and they've now set the date as December 17, 2020, for those to be outlined.

BlackBerry to Announce Third Quarter Fiscal Year 2021 Results on December 17, 2020

WATERLOO, Ontario, Dec. 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- BlackBerry Limited (NYSE: BB; TSX: BB) will report results for the third quarter of fiscal year 2021 at 5:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, December 17, 2020. The conference call can be accessed by dialing +1 (877) 682-6267 or live-streamed on the Company's website.

A replay of the conference call will be available at approximately 8:30 p.m. ET on December 17, 2020, by dialing +1 (800) 585-8367 and entering Conference ID #7510319. It will also be available at the link above.

At the end of Q2 BlackBerry reported total company non-GAAP revenue of $266 million and total company GAAP revenue of $259 million while net cash generated from operating activities came in at $31 million.

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BlackBerry
News & Rumors

BlackBerry and AWS introduce BlackBerry IVY Intelligent Vehicle Data Platform

Submitted by Bla1ze on Tue, 12/01/2020 - 13:48

Today, BlackBerry and AWS (Amazon Web Services, Inc) have announced a multi-year, global deal to develop and market a new Intelligent Vehicle Data Platform dubbed BlackBerry IVY. The scalable, cloud-connected software aimed at automakers will provide secure access to vehicle sensor data so automakers can make informed decisions about enhancing in-vehicle experiences.

"Data and connectivity are opening new avenues for innovation in the automotive industry, and BlackBerry and AWS share a common vision to provide automakers and developers with better insights so that they can deliver new services to consumers," said John Chen, Executive Chairman and CEO, BlackBerry. "This software platform promises to bring an era of invention to the in-vehicle experience and help create new applications, services, and opportunities without compromising safety, security, or customer privacy. We are pleased to expand our relationship with AWS to execute this vision and deliver BlackBerry IVY."

"AWS and BlackBerry are making it possible for any automaker to continuously reinvent the customer experience and transform vehicles from fixed pieces of technology into systems that can grow and adapt with a user's needs and preferences," said Andy Jassy, CEO of Amazon Web Services, Inc. "Through this joint effort with BlackBerry, we will provide automakers with the insights, capabilities, agility, and speed they need to thrive in an increasingly connected world. As automakers seek to race ahead in their digital transformations, BlackBerry IVY empowers them to build their brands and set the standard for connected vehicle services across the automotive industry."

The deal is huge for automakers and automotive suppliers as it allows them to tap into information and API's in a secure manner while reducing costs and product development time but it has also had a massive effect on BlackBerry stock as well. BlackBerry stock has surged upward 40.03% as of 1:48 PM EST following the announcement.

Press Release

AWS and BlackBerry Join Forces to Accelerate Innovation with New Intelligent Vehicle Data Platform

SEATTLE, WA and WATERLOO, ON — December 1, 2020 — Today, Amazon Web Services, Inc. (AWS), an Amazon.com, Inc. company (NASDAQ: AMZN), and BlackBerry Limited (NYSE: BB, TSX: BB), a worldwide leader in intelligent security software and services, announced a multi-year, global agreement to develop and market BlackBerry's Intelligent Vehicle Data Platform, IVY. BlackBerry IVY is a scalable, cloud-connected software platform that will allow automakers to provide a consistent and secure way to read vehicle sensor data, normalize it, and create actionable insights from that data both locally in the vehicle and in the cloud. Automakers can use this information to create responsive in-vehicle services that enhance driver and passenger experiences.

BlackBerry IVY addresses a critical data access, collection, and management problem in the automotive industry. Modern cars and trucks are built with thousands of parts from many different suppliers, with each vehicle model comprising a unique set of proprietary hardware and software components. These components, which include an increasing variety of vehicle sensors, produce data in unique and specialized formats. The highly specific skills required to interact with this data, as well as the challenges of accessing it from within contained vehicle subsystems, limit developers' abilities to innovate quickly and bring new solutions to market. BlackBerry IVY will solve for these challenges by applying machine learning to that data to generate predictive insights and inferences, making it possible for automakers to offer in-vehicle experiences that are highly personalized and able to take action based on those insights.

BlackBerry IVY will support multiple vehicle operating systems and multi-cloud deployments in order to ensure compatibility across vehicle models and brands. It will build upon BlackBerry QNX's capabilities for surfacing and normalizing data from automobiles and AWS's broad portfolio of services, including capabilities for IoT and machine learning. BlackBerry IVY will run inside a vehicle's embedded systems, but will be managed and configured remotely from the cloud. As a result, automakers will gain greater visibility into vehicle data, control over who can access it, and edge computing capabilities to optimize how quickly and efficiently the data is processed. With BlackBerry IVY's integrated capabilities, automakers will be able to deliver new features, functionality, and performance to customers over the lifetime of their cloud-connected vehicles, as well as unlock new revenue streams and business models built on vehicle data.

For instance, BlackBerry IVY could leverage vehicle data to recognize driver behavior and hazardous conditions such as icy roads or heavy traffic and then recommend that a driver enable relevant vehicle safety features such as traction control, lane-keeping assist, or adaptive cruise control. IVY could then provide automakers with feedback on how and when those safety features are used, allowing them to make targeted investments to improve vehicle performance. Additionally, drivers of electric vehicles could choose to share their car's battery information with third-party charging networks to proactively reserve a charging connector and tailor charging time according to the driver's current location and travel plans. BlackBerry IVY could also provide insights to parents of teenage drivers who may choose to receive customized notifications based on insights from vehicle sensors when the number of passengers in the vehicle changes, when the driver appears to be texting, distracted, or not observing speed limits, or when the vehicle occupancy level rises above the parents' desired safety threshold. Similarly, parents of infants could receive a reminder to engage the child safety lock when the vehicle detects a child in the rear seat.

BlackBerry IVY will enable automakers to compress the timeline to build, deploy, and monetize new in-vehicle applications and connected services across multiple vehicle brands and models. Instead of investing in one-off solutions that conform to the unique engineering of different vehicle models (as they do today), automakers using BlackBerry IVY will be able to leverage different types of data as common building blocks for new services that could work across a range of models. Automakers will be able to use the platform's application programming interfaces (APIs) to share data and outputs with their software development teams, giving them the ability to innovate, while also protecting customer privacy and security by controlling whom can access vehicle and app data and at what level of detail.

In addition, BlackBerry IVY will make it easier for automakers to collaborate with a wider pool of developers to accelerate creation of new offerings that deliver improved vehicle performance, reduced costs for maintenance and repairs, and added convenience. For instance, by analyzing real-time performance data, automakers could recognize the first signs of potentially faulty parts, deploy code to identify affected vehicles, notify impacted drivers, and perform targeted recalls. Automakers will be able to remotely deploy and update the software from the platform's Cloud Console (a web interface for managing BlackBerry IVY) to continuously improve the functionality of the system.

"Data and connectivity are opening new avenues for innovation in the automotive industry, and BlackBerry and AWS share a common vision to provide automakers and developers with better insights so that they can deliver new services to consumers," said John Chen, Executive Chairman and CEO, BlackBerry. "This software platform promises to bring an era of invention to the in-vehicle experience and help create new applications, services, and opportunities without compromising safety, security, or customer privacy. We are pleased to expand our relationship with AWS to execute this vision and deliver BlackBerry IVY."

"AWS and BlackBerry are making it possible for any automaker to continuously reinvent the customer experience and transform vehicles from fixed pieces of technology into systems that can grow and adapt with a user's needs and preferences," said Andy Jassy, CEO of Amazon Web Services, Inc. "Through this joint effort with BlackBerry, we will provide automakers with the insights, capabilities, agility, and speed they need to thrive in an increasingly connected world. As automakers seek to race ahead in their digital transformations, BlackBerry IVY empowers them to build their brands and set the standard for connected vehicle services across the automotive industry."

To learn more about BlackBerry IVY and general availability, please visit https://blackberry.qnx.com/en/aws.

About Amazon Web Services

For 14 years, Amazon Web Services has been the world's most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud platform. AWS offers over 175 fully featured services for compute, storage, databases, networking, analytics, robotics, machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), mobile, security, hybrid, virtual and augmented reality (VR and AR), media, and application development, deployment, and management from 77 Availability Zones (AZs) within 24 geographic regions, with announced plans for 15 more Availability Zones and five more AWS Regions in India, Indonesia, Japan, Spain, and Switzerland. Millions of customers—including the fastest-growing startups, largest enterprises, and leading government agencies—trust AWS to power their infrastructure, become more agile, and lower costs. To learn more about AWS, visit aws.amazon.com.

About Amazon

Amazon is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalized recommendations, Prime, Fulfillment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle Direct Publishing, Kindle, Fire tablets, Fire TV, Amazon Echo, and Alexa are some of the products and services pioneered by Amazon. For more information, visit amazon.com/about and follow @AmazonNews.

About BlackBerry

BlackBerry (NYSE: BB; TSX: BB) provides intelligent security software and services to enterprises and governments around the world. The company secures more than 500M endpoints including 175M cars on the road today. Based in Waterloo, Ontario, the company leverages AI and machine learning to deliver innovative solutions in the areas of cybersecurity, safety and data privacy solutions, and is a leader in the areas of endpoint security management, encryption, and embedded systems. BlackBerry's vision is clear - to secure a connected future you can trust. For more information, visit BlackBerry.com and follow @BlackBerry.

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BlackBerry
BlackBerry QNX
QNX
News & Rumors

BlackBerry KEY2 November Android security update now available!

Submitted by Bla1ze on Tue, 12/01/2020 - 11:50

BlackBerry KEY2 Security Update Screen

If you were surprised in October to see an update for the BlackBerry KEY2, you'll want to go ahead and check for updates once again. Turns out the November update is now widely available on the KEY2 and looks to be coming soon for the KEY2 LE according to Rogers.

Rogers BlackBerry November Security Update

Like the October update, it seems rather hit or miss when it comes to whether your specific device will have the update available. Some folks received it a few days ago, while a broader number of folks have started seeing it today. The update is noted as ACT536 on the KEY2. Given the sporadic nature of the rollout, best to just check for system updates and see if you have it waiting for you!

Tag: 
BlackBerry KEY2
BlackBerry KEY2 LE
News & Rumors

BlackBerry UEM receives approval from the NSA

Submitted by Bla1ze on Wed, 11/18/2020 - 14:04

Blackberry Spark

Adding to its already large list of certifications, BlackBerry today announced that BlackBerry UEM has achieved approval from the National Security Agency (NSA) for use as part of their Commercial Solutions for Classified Program (CSfC).

"BlackBerry and the NSA share a common mission to help make the nation safer," said John Chen, Executive Chairman & CEO, BlackBerry. "We are honored to receive approval from the NSA for BlackBerry UEM to be used to protect classified information. This adds to the portfolio of U.S. government certifications BlackBerry has received for UEM, including NIAP, DoDIN APL and FedRAMP."

This approval is just another feather in BlackBerry's security cap. As it stands, seven of the G7 and sixteen of the G20 governments are using BlackBerry solutions. Additionally, 70+ percent of the US Federal government personnel are currently being protected by BlackBerry AtHoc.

Press Release

BlackBerry Achieves NSA Approval for BlackBerry UEM

WATERLOO, Ontario, Nov. 18, 2020 /CNW/ -- BlackBerry Limited (NYSE: BB; TSX: BB) today announced that its BlackBerry Unified Endpoint Manager (UEM) software has achieved National Security Agency (NSA) Commercial Solutions for Classified Program (CSfC) approval.

The NSA protects the United States' most critical information and systems against cyberattacks. The CSfC is an important part of the NSA's strategy, ensuring that the U.S. government can leverage the industry's most secure and innovative cybersecurity technologies to accomplish their mission objectives.

"BlackBerry and the NSA share a common mission to help make the nation safer," said John Chen, Executive Chairman & CEO, BlackBerry. "We are honored to receive approval from the NSA for BlackBerry UEM to be used to protect classified information. This adds to the portfolio of U.S. government certifications BlackBerry has received for UEM, including NIAP, DoDIN APL and FedRAMP."

For more information on BlackBerry certifications, including NIAP, DoDIN APL, FedRAMP and FIPS 140-2, visit BlackBerry.com/Certifications

About BlackBerry

BlackBerry (NYSE: BB; TSX: BB) provides intelligent security software and services to enterprises and governments around the world. The company secures more than 500M endpoints including 175M cars on the road today. Based in Waterloo, Ontario, the company leverages AI and machine learning to deliver innovative solutions in the areas of cybersecurity, safety and data privacy solutions, and is a leader in the areas of endpoint security management, encryption, and embedded systems. BlackBerry's vision is clear - to secure a connected future you can trust. BlackBerry. Intelligent Security. Everywhere.

Tag: 
BlackBerry UEM
Enterprise
News & Rumors

BlackBerry QNX to power Plus self-driving trucks

Submitted by Bla1ze on Tue, 11/17/2020 - 13:54

Plus Automated Trucks Blackberry Safety Security

Plus have now announced they will be the first automated truck developer to make use of BlackBerry QNX for their next-generation self-driving systems. Plus will license the BlackBerry QNX OS for Safety software for their Class 8 trucks which are expected to begin rolling out in cooperation with China's largest heavy-duty truck maker, FAW, starting in 2021.

"Self-driving systems consist of the most complex and powerful software and hardware to go into a Class 8 truck. Every technology choice we make has to contribute to the overall safety and security of heavy-duty trucks integrated with the Plus automated driving system. The operating system is an important foundation for the rest of the system," said Shawn Kerrigan, COO and co-founder, Plus. "Our engineering team has done an exceptional job in completing the transition to the industry's highest standard of safety-certified technology as we move from product development to commercial deployment."

"BlackBerry QNX provides both commercial and personal autonomous vehicle developers with operating systems that meet the highest safety, reliability and security standards. We are thrilled to support the commercialization of automated trucks and to work with the Plus team to advance the global deployment of its automated trucking system," said John Wall, Senior Vice President and Co-Head of BlackBerry Technology Solutions. "Self-driving trucks will have a revolutionary impact on the logistics industry and it is exciting to contribute to making that future possible."

If you're looking to learn more about Plus, you can check out the video below which offers a closer look at how they are bringing self-driving trucks to the market. You can learn about BlackBerry QNX OS for Safety right here.

Press Release

Plus Chooses BlackBerry to Power Its Class 8 Truck Automated Driving System First Self-Driving Truck Developer to Leverage Safety-Certified BlackBerry QNX Operating System

WATERLOO, Ontario and CUPERTINO, Calif., Nov. 17, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- BlackBerry Limited (NYSE: BB; TSX: BB) and Plus, a leading provider of self-driving truck technology, announced today that Plus has selected BlackBerry QNX technology for the global commercial deployment of the company's automated driving system for Class 8 trucks.

Plus is the first automated truck developer to use BlackBerry QNX technology for its next-generation self-driving systems, which are expected to be commercialized and deployed by Plus and FAW, China's largest heavy-duty truck maker, beginning in 2021. Plus also plans to deploy thousands of intelligent, automated trucks in the US in the next two years.

As part of the agreement, BlackBerry will license its ISO 26262 ASIL-D safety-certified QNX OS for Safety software solution to Plus, further strengthening the technology foundation the company has built to create a truly safe and secure automated driving system. Based on the QNX Neutrino Real-time Operating System (RTOS), QNX OS for Safety is used around the world by embedded software developers for mission-critical systems in medical devices, industrial controls, rail, robotics and aerospace and defense.

"Self-driving systems consist of the most complex and powerful software and hardware to go into a Class 8 truck. Every technology choice we make has to contribute to the overall safety and security of heavy-duty trucks integrated with the Plus automated driving system. The operating system is an important foundation for the rest of the system," said Shawn Kerrigan, COO and co-founder, Plus. "Our engineering team has done an exceptional job in completing the transition to the industry's highest standard of safety-certified technology as we move from product development to commercial deployment."

"BlackBerry QNX provides both commercial and personal autonomous vehicle developers with operating systems that meet the highest safety, reliability and security standards. We are thrilled to support the commercialization of automated trucks and to work with the Plus team to advance the global deployment of its automated trucking system," said John Wall, Senior Vice President and Co-Head of BlackBerry Technology Solutions. "Self-driving trucks will have a revolutionary impact on the logistics industry and it is exciting to contribute to making that future possible."

A certified automotive operating system is the foundation for functionalities of a self-driving truck, helping to manage the autonomous system data flow from sensors to prediction technology and finally to the actuation that controls the movement. Optimizing this data flow can also help to speed up the image processing, machine learning and other algorithms that are needed for the automated driving system to work. The transition to the safety-certified QNX OS for Safety, along with other enterprise technology that Plus has adopted, will allow Plus to work more quickly with its OEM and fleet partners to continue the commercial rollout of its automated driving system.

About Plus

Plus is a world leader in self-driving truck technology. Headquartered in Cupertino, CA, the heart of Silicon Valley, the company was founded in 2016 by a group of serial entrepreneurs and industry veterans, each with over 20 years of experience in high tech and artificial intelligence. Plus specializes in providing full-stack self-driving technology to enable large scale autonomous commercial transport. Plus is currently working with some of the leading truck manufacturers, largest shippers, and top fleet operators to begin mass production of its automated driving system.

About BlackBerry

BlackBerry (NYSE: BB; TSX: BB) provides intelligent security software and services to enterprises and governments around the world. The company secures more than 500M endpoints and over 175M cars on the road today. Based in Waterloo, Ontario, the company leverages AI and machine learning to deliver innovative solutions in the areas of cybersecurity, safety and data privacy solutions, and is a leader in the areas of endpoint security management, encryption, and embedded systems. BlackBerry's vision is clear - to secure a connected future you can trust.

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BlackBerry QNX
QNX
News & Rumors

BlackBerry QNX to power ARCFOX αT digital cockpit system

Submitted by Bla1ze on Wed, 10/21/2020 - 23:31

Arcfox Alpha

BlackBerry has recently announced the BlackBerry QNX Hypervisor will power the ARCFOX αT digital cockpit system including the digital instrument cluster, console touchscreen, AC screen, and Heads-Up display.

"We are thrilled to work with ARCFOX to help them take advantage of one of the auto industry's most significant trends – the exploding demand for safe, seamless, digital in-car experiences," said John Wall, Senior Vice President and Co-Head of BlackBerry Technology Solutions. "BlackBerry QNX is the obvious choice for its safety-certified, extremely reliable, and highly secure automotive software. We're confident that drivers of the new ARCFOX αT will relish the comfort, safety and connectivity it delivers."

The ARCFOX αT is set to officially launch on October 24 with pricing starting at ¥250,000. If you're looking to learn more, you can check out the ARCFOX αT site right here. To learn more about the BlackBerry QNX platform, visit the BlackBerry site.

Press Release

BlackBerry QNX to Power ARCFOX αT Innovative Digital Cockpit

WATERLOO, ON and BEIJING, Oct. 20, 2020 /CNW/ -- BlackBerry Limited (NYSE: BB; TSX: BB) today announced that BlackBerry QNX technology will power the innovative digital cockpit in ARCFOX αT, a high-end, intelligent, electric SUV.

In ARCFOX αT's digital cockpit system, the fully digital instrument cluster, console touchscreen, AC screen and Heads-Up Display are all based on the QNX Hypervisor, the world's first ISO 26262 ASIL D safety-certified commercial embedded hypervisor. The QNX Hypervisor provides the trusted reliability and performance of the QNX Neutrino RTOS, while also allowing multiple operating systems to safely co-exist on the same system-on-a-chip (SoC). With the QNX Hypervisor, developers can partition and isolate safety-critical systems from non-safety critical systems, ensuring that critical systems are isolated and continue to function even if other components fail.

"We are thrilled to work with ARCFOX to help them take advantage of one of the auto industry's most significant trends – the exploding demand for safe, seamless, digital in-car experiences," said John Wall, Senior Vice President and Co-Head of BlackBerry Technology Solutions. "BlackBerry QNX is the obvious choice for its safety-certified, extremely reliable, and highly secure automotive software. We're confident that drivers of the new ARCFOX αT will relish the comfort, safety and connectivity it delivers."

As the leader in safe, secure, and reliable software for critical embedded systems, BlackBerry QNX provides OEMs and Tier 1s around the world with state-of-the-art foundational software and cybersecurity technologies. BlackBerry QNX technology is used in more than 175 million vehicles on the road including in advanced driver assistance (ADAS), digital instrument clusters, connectivity modules, handsfree, and infotainment systems.

About BlackBerry

BlackBerry (NYSE: BB; TSX: BB) provides intelligent security software and services to enterprises and governments around the world. The company secures more than 500M endpoints including over 175M cars on the road today. Based in Waterloo, Ontario, the company leverages AI and machine learning to deliver innovative solutions in the areas of cybersecurity, safety and data privacy solutions, and is a leader in the areas of endpoint security management, encryption, and embedded systems. BlackBerry's vision is clear - to secure a connected future you can trust. BlackBerry. Intelligent Security. Everywhere.

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BlackBerry
BlackBerry QNX
News & Rumors

BlackBerry KEY2 and KEY2 LE receive September Android security update

Submitted by Bla1ze on Wed, 10/14/2020 - 14:31

BlackBerry KEY and KEY2 LE

Although many folks believed the final updates for the BlackBerry KEY2 and KEY2 LE were already issued after the announcement that TCL would no longer sell, design, or release any new BlackBerry Mobile devices, that appears to not be the case at all as both the BlackBerry KEY2 and KEY2 LE have now started receiving the September Android security update.

The update rolling out is noted as being ACS702 and comes in at around 85MB and seems to be spread across unlocked KEY2 and KEY2 LE variants, but not carrier versions. With that in mind, if you haven't already downloaded this nice little surprise, head to your system settings and check for updates. We're still trying to work out if it improves anything beyond what's included with the security patch, so if you spot anything let us know in the CrackBerry Forums.

Thanks, TechOdyssey!

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BlackBerry KEY2
BlackBerry KEY2 LE
News & Rumors

BlackBerry Hub+ apps, and BBMe updated with bug fixes and improvements

Submitted by Bla1ze on Fri, 10/02/2020 - 15:58

BlackBerry KEY2 showing app updates with the Google Play Store

The latest BlackBerry Hub+ app updates have arrived on the Google Play Store along with a critical bug fix for BBMe. The updates started rolling out yesterday, but if you haven't got them downloaded yet, no time like the present. Here's what's new in each app, according to the Google Play changelogs.

BlackBerry Hub+ Inbox

  • Account setting to control whether emails are automatically marked read or not
  • Mails attached to calendar invites can be opened in Hub
  • Stability improvements for Priv and DTEK50/60 devices
  • Stability improvements and enhancements for Samsung DeX
  • Minor enhancements and bug fixes

BlackBerry Hub+ Services

  • Account setting to control whether emails are automatically marked read or not
  • Mails attached to calendar invites can be opened in Hub
  • Stability improvements for Priv and DTEK50/60 devices
  • Stability improvements and enhancements for Samsung DeX
  • Minor enhancements and bug fixes

BlackBerry Hub+ Calendar

  • Mails attached to calendar invites can be opened in Hub
  • Minor enhancements and bug fixes

BlackBerry Hub+ Tasks

  • Fixes for editing tasks associated with an Office365 account
  • Minor enhancements and bug fixes

BlackBerry Hub+ Contacts

  • Minor enhancements and stability fixes

BlackBerry Hub+ Notes

  • Fixes for editing tasks associated with an Office365 account
  • Minor enhancements and bug fixes

BBMe

  • Critical bug fix

While it seems there are several fixes here, there are also some issues popping up in the CrackBerry Forums when it comes to BBMe messages appearing in the Hub as unread, so perhaps there will be more updates coming soon to address those.

Apps
News & Rumors

BlackBerry announces Q2 Fiscal Year 2021 results

Submitted by Bla1ze on Thu, 09/24/2020 - 10:41

BlackBerry logo on black background

BlackBerry today announced its Q2 Fiscal Year 2021 results. As part of the announcement, John Chen, Executive Chairman & CEO, BlackBerry noted "We are pleased to report sequential and year-over-year revenue growth this quarter, exceeding expectations, despite the ongoing challenges from COVID-19,"

  • Total company non-GAAP revenue of $266 million; total company GAAP revenue of $259 million, both reporting sequential and year-on-year growth.
  • Non-GAAP earnings per basic and diluted share of $0.11; GAAP loss per basic and diluted share of $0.04.
  • Net cash generated from operating activities of $31 million.

"Continued demand for our secure, 'Work from Anywhere', solutions remains a major driver for our BlackBerry Spark business, which performed well this quarter. Some signs of recovery in auto production point to sequential revenue growth and a return to a normal run rate for QNX by early next year. Continued QNX design wins and significant cybersecurity partnerships position the business strongly for the future. We are also seeing positive signs from our focus on the key components of our go-to-market strategy, including: strong channel partnerships, marketing, customer success and investing in new talent for our sales force."

If you're looking for the full table breakdowns, they can be found on the BlackBerry Investors website in addition to the supplemental financial information as well as the conference call transcript once it has been uploaded.

Press Release

BlackBerry Reports Strong Fiscal 2021 Second Quarter Results, Beating Both Revenue And EPS Expectations

  • Total company non-GAAP revenue of $266 million; total company GAAP revenue of $259 million, both reporting sequential and year-on-year growth.
  • Non-GAAP earnings per basic and diluted share of $0.11; GAAP loss per basic and diluted share of $0.04.
  • Net cash generated from operating activities of $31 million.

Waterloo, Ontario - BlackBerry Limited (NYSE: BB; TSX: BB) today reported financial results for the three months ended August 31, 2020 (all figures in U.S. dollars and U.S. GAAP, except where otherwise indicated).

"We are pleased to report sequential and year-over-year revenue growth this quarter, exceeding expectations, despite the ongoing challenges from COVID-19," said John Chen, Executive Chairman & CEO, BlackBerry. "Continued demand for our secure, 'Work from Anywhere', solutions remains a major driver for our BlackBerry Spark business, which performed well this quarter. Some signs of recovery in auto production point to sequential revenue growth and a return to a normal run rate for QNX by early next year. Continued QNX design wins and significant cybersecurity partnerships position the business strongly for the future. We are also seeing positive signs from our focus on the key components of our go-to-market strategy, including: strong channel partnerships, marketing, customer success and investing in new talent for our sales force."

Second Quarter Fiscal 2021 Financial Highlights

  • Total company non-GAAP revenue for the second quarter of fiscal 2021 was $266 million. Total company GAAP revenue for the second quarter of fiscal 2021 was $259 million.
  • Recurring non-GAAP software product revenue continues to be approximately 90%.
  • Non-GAAP gross margin was 78% and GAAP gross margin was 77%.
  • Non-GAAP operating earnings were $63 million. GAAP operating loss was $22 million.
  • Non-GAAP earnings per share was $0.11 (basic and diluted). GAAP net loss per share was $0.04 (basic and diluted).
  • Total cash, cash equivalents, short-term and long-term investments were $977 million.
  • Net cash generated from operating activities was $31 million.
  • Following quarter-end successfully redeemed existing $605 million of convertible debentures and issued $365 million of new convertible debentures – reducing level of debt by $240 million and saving $16 million of interest expense on an annualized basis.

Second Quarter Achievements

  • BlackBerry QNX and Desay SV Automotive together developed the autonomous driving domain controller for Xpeng Motor's new P7 high-performance electric vehicle.
  • BlackBerry QNX technology to be used by StradVision, in ADAS and autonomous vehicle systems from South Korean automakers
  • Customer wins for new BlackBerry Spark Suites continue to build, including the US Air Force, the UK's Ministry of Defence, the Royal Canadian Mint, Rolls Royce and Lloyds Bank.
  • BlackBerry UEM became the only unified endpoint management system approved to be included on DoDIN Approved Products List (APL).
  • BlackBerry SecuSUITE for Government received accreditation from Government of Canada.
  • BlackBerry Secusmart technology now used by 17 governments around the globe.
  • Strong progress in various parts of go-to-market strategy, including recently announced partnership with TELUS to resell BlackBerry AtHoc, the most secure critical event management solution, across Canada. Adds to previous announcements with Bell and Vodafone.

Outlook

BlackBerry will provide fiscal year 2021 outlook in connection with the quarterly earnings announcement on its earnings conference call. The earnings call transcript will be made available on our website and on SEDAR.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The tables at the end of this press release include a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measures used by the company to comparable U.S. GAAP measures and an explanation of why the company uses them.

Conference Call and Webcast

A conference call and live webcast will be held today beginning at 8:00 a.m. ET, which can be accessed by dialing +1 (877) 682-6267 or by logging on at BlackBerry.com/Investors. A replay of the conference call will also be available at approximately 11 a.m. ET by dialing +1 (800) 585-8367 and entering Conference ID #1797999 and at the link above.

About BlackBerry

BlackBerry (NYSE: BB; TSX: BB) provides intelligent security software and services to enterprises and governments around the world. The company secures more than 500M endpoints including more than 175M cars on the road today. Based in Waterloo, Ontario, the company leverages AI and machine learning to deliver innovative solutions in the areas of cybersecurity, safety and data privacy solutions, and is a leader in the areas of endpoint security management, encryption, and embedded systems. BlackBerry's vision is clear - to secure a connected future you can trust. BlackBerry. Intelligent Security. Everywhere.

Tag: 
BlackBerry
News & Rumors

BlackBerry introduces BlackBerry AtHoc Public Safety edition

Submitted by Bla1ze on Wed, 09/23/2020 - 13:32

BlackBerry AtHoc Logo

Building off of the success of the core BlackBerry AtHoc offering, BlackBerry today announced a new edition of BlackBerry AtHoc aimed at Public Safety through local governments and universities.

"Over the past decade, BlackBerry has successfully provided local governments with the tools needed to quickly notify residents and share timely critical information to keep people safe. We are excited to announce the addition of the BlackBerry AtHoc Public Safety edition to help leaders more effectively protect the public," said Christoph Erdmann, Senior Vice President of Secure Communications at BlackBerry. "The solution can be deployed quickly to enable the most secure real-time information notifications to the community, so that people can make informed and safety-critical decisions in times of crisis."

Aptly named BlackBerry AtHoc Public Safety edition, the Software as a service runs from certified secure cloud instances United States, Canada, United Kingdom, France, and the Netherlands and is available at fixed cost pricing based on size, which helps make it a secure, and cost-effective solution.

Press Release

BlackBerry AtHoc Public Safety Edition Provides Local Governments and Universities Ability to Securely Communicate Critical Information Directly to their Community

WATERLOO, ON, Sept. 23, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- BlackBerry Limited (NYSE: BB; TSX: BB) today announced the BlackBerry AtHoc Public Safety edition, providing local governments and universities proven capabilities to deliver critical communications directly to the public in an accurate, secure and trusted manner. As part of their critical event management programs, BlackBerry AtHoc Public Safety edition enables public leaders to rapidly disseminate critical information to everyone in an affected area to keep their communities informed and safe.

Severe weather events, and other major occurrences like rolling blackouts, traffic advisories, public health emergencies and civil unrest impact the public. BlackBerry has supported local governments through crises including earthquakes in Latin America, hurricanes on the Gulf Coast, tornadoes in the Great Plains and wildfires on the West Coast. The AtHoc Public Safety edition builds on this experience to provide a complete cloud-based critical event communication system in a secure, easily managed and cost-effective manner.

"Over the past decade, BlackBerry has successfully provided local governments with the tools needed to quickly notify residents and share timely critical information to keep people safe. We are excited to announce the addition of the BlackBerry AtHoc Public Safety edition to help leaders more effectively protect the public," said Christoph Erdmann, Senior Vice President of Secure Communications at BlackBerry. "The solution can be deployed quickly to enable the most secure real-time information notifications to the community, so that people can make informed and safety-critical decisions in times of crisis."

Public safety requires a concerted effort by many people, teams and organizations. BlackBerry AtHoc can bridge the gap between employees, the public, and essential services when critical information needs to be delivered quickly and reliably. Official notifications can be sent through multiple channels including Apps, SMS, RF enabled sirens, digital signage, radio and TV to quickly reach everyone within a specified geography at the time of the communication. Residents also can self-register to receive additional enhanced notifications based on event types of interest to them.

Designed for the diverse population needs of local governments and universities, the SaaS offering operates from a certified secure cloud, can be up and running quickly, provides ADA 508 accessibility compliance and multiple language support and can connect into the notification networks of other organizations with a public safety mission. Fixed cost affordable pricing is available based on the size of the community that needs to be communicated with. BlackBerry AtHoc has cloud instances in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, France and the Netherlands to comply with local data residency mandates.

Learn more about BlackBerry AtHoc at the 2020 BlackBerry Security Summit (October 6-7). During the company's seventh annual event, industry experts and thought leaders from across the globe will come together virtually to discuss a range of topics, including security in a remote working world, business continuity, Zero Trust/zero touch, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and crisis communications for employee safety. To register, please visit: https://www.blackberry.com/securitysummit.

About BlackBerry

BlackBerry (NYSE: BB; TSX: BB) provides intelligent security software and services to enterprises and governments around the world. The company secures more than 500M endpoints including 175M cars on the road today. Based in Waterloo, Ontario, the company leverages AI and machine learning to deliver innovative solutions in the areas of cybersecurity, safety and data privacy solutions, and is a leader in the areas of endpoint security management, encryption, and embedded systems. BlackBerry's vision is clear - to secure a connected future you can trust.

BlackBerry. Intelligent Security. Everywhere.

Tag: 
BlackBerry
BlackBerry AtHoc
Enterprise
News & Rumors

BlackBerry Spark chosen as United States Air Force secure productivity platform

Submitted by Bla1ze on Tue, 09/22/2020 - 14:29

BlackBerry Spark Logo

Aside from BlackBerry scoring big customer wins with BlackBerry AtHoc, BlackBerry today announced a win for BlackBerry Spark as well, letting it be known that the United States Air Force has chosen BlackBerry Spark as its secure productivity platform.

"BlackBerry and the United States Federal Government have been trusted partners for over twenty years," said John Chen, Executive Chairman & CEO, BlackBerry. "The United States Air Force has a rich history and a critical mission across air, space and cyberspace. We are proud to be their partner and to provide them superior technology that enables their operations."

Through the agreement, the United States Air Force will have access to the full BlackBerry Spark Suite including Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) and Unified Endpoint Security (UES), which offers a Zero Trust security environment.

Press Release

The United States Air Force Chooses BlackBerry Spark for Secure Productivity

WATERLOO, ON, Sept. 22, 2020 /CNW/ -- BlackBerry Limited (NYSE: BB; TSX: BB) announced today that the United States Air Force has selected BlackBerry Spark for their secure productivity needs. The agreement gives the organization access to the latest BlackBerry technologies for Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) and Unified Endpoint Security (UES).

BlackBerry Spark allows governments and enterprises to modernize their digital infrastructure, for high-performance 'work from anywhere', without any compromise on security. BlackBerry's secure productivity platform is powered by next-generation artificial intelligence and machine learning and unlocks the potential of connectivity across all deployment and endpoint types.

"BlackBerry and the United States Federal Government have been trusted partners for over twenty years," said John Chen, Executive Chairman & CEO, BlackBerry. "The United States Air Force has a rich history and a critical mission across air, space and cyberspace. We are proud to be their partner and to provide them superior technology that enables their operations."

To learn more about BlackBerry Spark, visit www.BlackBerry.com/Spark.

About BlackBerry

BlackBerry (NYSE: BB; TSX: BB) provides intelligent security software and services to enterprises and governments around the world. The company secures more than 500M endpoints including over 175M cars on the road today. Based in Waterloo, Ontario, the company leverages AI and machine learning to deliver innovative solutions in the areas of cybersecurity, safety and data privacy solutions, and is a leader in the areas of endpoint security management, encryption, and embedded systems. BlackBerry's vision is clear - to secure a connected future you can trust.

BlackBerry. Intelligent Security. Everywhere.

Tag: 
BlackBerry
BlackBerry Spark
Enterprise
News & Rumors

BlackBerry and TELUS partner on BlackBerry AtHoc solution across Canada

Submitted by Bla1ze on Tue, 09/22/2020 - 14:09

Telus Logo On Building

As part of what appears to be an ever growing list of expanding partnerships for BlackBerry, BlackBerry and Telus today announced that Telus would resell BlackBerry AtHoc to organizations across Canada with their first customer win being Edmonton Police Services.

"I am thrilled that we continue to grow our long-standing partnership with TELUS," said John Chen, Executive Chairman and CEO, BlackBerry. "We share a common objective to deliver the best connectivity solutions to Canadians. Together, we will help keep Canadians safe, prepared and informed during events, disasters and emergencies."

"This partnership builds upon our strong history of working with BlackBerry to bring best-in-class and secure mobility solutions to Canadians," said Darren Entwistle, President and CEO, TELUS. "We are delighted to be able to offer BlackBerry AtHoc to organizations across Canada, helping to ensure emergency personnel, first responders and government officials are empowered with vital state-of-the-art technology and connectivity that enable better outcomes in crisis scenarios. Whether managing an emergency situation or monitoring to prevent a crisis, enhanced communication solutions will contribute to a faster, more effective crisis response, helping to keep Canadians safe and connected."

The Edmonton Police Services cover approximately one million community members. Additionally, Telus will be the reseller of BlackBerry AtHoc to government institutions across British Columbia.

Press Release

BlackBerry and TELUS Partner on Critical Event Management Across Canada

Edmonton Police Services selects TELUS & BlackBerry AtHoc for emergency preparedness

WATERLOO, ON and VANCOUVER, BC, Sept. 22, 2020 /CNW/ -- BlackBerry Limited (NYSE: BB; TSX: BB) and TELUS (TSX: T, NYSE: TU) today announced a new partnership to provide secure emergency management and crisis communications to organizations across Canada. The expansion of a long-standing relationship, TELUS will resell BlackBerry AtHoc, the most secure critical event management and communications solution, with TELUS' world-class connectivity so Canadian organizations have access to the emergency preparedness tools they need to keep their residents and employees safe.

The companies also announced their first customer win as part of this new arm to their partnership. Edmonton Police Services, with a community of a million citizens, has chosen BlackBerry AtHoc as its emergency preparedness solution. TELUS will also resell BlackBerry AtHoc to government entities across British Columbia, so municipalities across the Province are enabled to protect their citizens.

BlackBerry is trusted by thousands of government, enterprise, education, healthcare and humanitarian organizations around the world, for its connectivity and productivity solutions. The company's leading communications technology, BlackBerry AtHoc, gives organizations the information they need to make critical safety decisions in real-time, helping to protect lives, assets and operations, during planned and unplanned events.

To instantly reach a mass audience as well as targeted individuals and groups, many government, commercial and military organizations rely on one of their most pervasive and reliable assets – TELUS' IP network.

"I am thrilled that we continue to grow our long-standing partnership with TELUS," said John Chen, Executive Chairman and CEO, BlackBerry. "We share a common objective to deliver the best connectivity solutions to Canadians. Together, we will help keep Canadians safe, prepared and informed during events, disasters and emergencies."

"This partnership builds upon our strong history of working with BlackBerry to bring best-in-class and secure mobility solutions to Canadians," said Darren Entwistle, President and CEO, TELUS. "We are delighted to be able to offer BlackBerry AtHoc to organizations across Canada, helping to ensure emergency personnel, first responders and government officials are empowered with vital state-of-the-art technology and connectivity that enable better outcomes in crisis scenarios. Whether managing an emergency situation or monitoring to prevent a crisis, enhanced communication solutions will contribute to a faster, more effective crisis response, helping to keep Canadians safe and connected."

Tag: 
BlackBerry
BlackBerry AtHoc
Telus
News & Rumors

BlackBerry expands partnership with American Red Cross

Submitted by Bla1ze on Mon, 09/21/2020 - 12:59

American Red Cross Logo

BlackBerry today announced they would be expanding their partnership with the American Red Cross with the intent of enabling safe and resilient communities. As part of the expanded relationship, BlackBerry will be donating BlackBerry AtHoc software to the Red Cross.

"We are so grateful for our partnership with BlackBerry, whose support enables us to help people in need, during large scale disasters like the recent and ongoing wildfires," said Jennifer Adrio Chief Executive Officer of the American Red Cross Northern California Coastal Region. "One thing you can't get back in a disaster is time, and BlackBerry's AtHoc system enables us to communicate through multiple channels during times of crisis."

"BlackBerry is proud to partner with the American Red Cross to empower sustainable communities," said Neelam Sandhu, Vice President of Business Operations & Strategic Accounts, Office of the CEO. "BlackBerry AtHoc enables communities to effectively respond to crisis, helping to save lives and aiding post-disaster recovery."

Press Release

BlackBerry Partners with American Red Cross on Community Safety and Resilience

WATERLOO, ON, Sept. 21, 2020 /CNW/ -- BlackBerry Limited (NYSE: BB; TSX: BB) announced today that it is extending its partnership with the American Red Cross, with the purpose of enabling safe and resilient communities. BlackBerry will donate its BlackBerry AtHoc software to the Red Cross, powering its mission to provide emergency assistance, disaster relief and disaster preparedness education to all people in need.

BlackBerry has been a partner of the Red Cross for several years, helping them respond effectively to disasters, including recent wildfires, hurricanes and other events.

Resilient communities are less vulnerable to economic, social and environmental crisis, increasing their long-term sustainability. Partnerships increase the impact of the critical work businesses must do to address the key global challenges we are all facing today. The partnership between BlackBerry and the Red Cross supports BlackBerry's commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals .

"BlackBerry is proud to partner with the American Red Cross to empower sustainable communities," said Neelam Sandhu, Vice President of Business Operations & Strategic Accounts, Office of the CEO. "BlackBerry AtHoc enables communities to effectively respond to crisis, helping to save lives and aiding post-disaster recovery."

"We are so grateful for our partnership with BlackBerry, whose support enables us to help people in need, during large scale disasters like the recent and ongoing wildfires," said Jennifer Adrio Chief Executive Officer of the American Red Cross Northern California Coastal Region. "One thing you can't get back in a disaster is time, and BlackBerry's AtHoc system enables us to communicate through multiple channels during times of crisis."

BlackBerry AtHoc, the most secure critical event management solution, gives organizations the information they need to make critical safety decisions in real-time, helping to protect lives, assets and operations, during planned and unplanned events. For more information, visit BlackBerry.com/AtHoc.

About BlackBerry

BlackBerry (NYSE: BB; TSX: BB) provides intelligent security software and services to enterprises and governments around the world. The company secures more than 500M endpoints including 175M cars on the road today. Based in Waterloo, Ontario, the company leverages AI and machine learning to deliver innovative solutions in the areas of cybersecurity, safety and data privacy solutions, and is a leader in the areas of endpoint security management, encryption, and embedded systems. BlackBerry's vision is clear - to secure a connected future you can trust.

BlackBerry. Intelligent Security. Everywhere.

Tag: 
BlackBerry
BlackBerry AtHoc
News & Rumors

BlackBerry earns NIAP Certification for BlackBerry UEM

Submitted by Bla1ze on Wed, 09/16/2020 - 13:54

BlackBerry UEM Logo

Adding another feather to its security cap, BlackBerry today announced BlackBerry UEM has now achieved NIAP Certification. The NIAP certification comes shortly after BlackBerry UEM was approved for Department of Defense Information Network use along with NATO Restricted Level certification.

Enterprise
News & Rumors

BlackBerry legacy devices and services will reach End of Life on January 4, 2022

Submitted by Bla1ze on Sun, 09/13/2020 - 21:25

BlackBerry Passport smartphones

Although BlackBerry has extended the life span of BlackBerry OS, BlackBerry 10, and PlayBook a few times now, that time has seemingly finally run out. As announced on their software lifecycle page, BlackBerry will be terminating legacy services for BlackBerry OS, BlackBerry 10 and BlackBerry PlayBook effective January 4, 2022.

In 2016, BlackBerry Executive Chairman and CEO John Chen announced that the company's transition to a software company was complete. Since then, we've made great strides executing on our business strategy and today, we are focused on providing intelligent security software and services to enterprises and governments around the world.

As another milestone in the BlackBerry journey, we will be taking steps to decommission the legacy services for BlackBerry 7.1 OS and earlier, BlackBerry 10 software, BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.1 and earlier versions, with an end of life or termination date of January 4, 2022. We have chosen to extend our service until then as an expression of thanks to our loyal partners and customers.

As part of the End of Life process, BlackBerry applications and services such as BlackBerry Link, BlackBerry Desktop Manager, and BlackBerry Blend will no longer reliably work or will have limited functionality due to the backend infrastructure being removed. BlackBerry has a full list of devices, software, and applications available here.

If you're making use of an Android-based BlackBerry smartphone, it's important to note that none of this applies to you. BlackBerry Android devices will not be impacted, and applications such as BBMe will continue to work per usual unless they are assigned an Enterprise Sim Based License (ESBL).

Some folks will no doubt have additional questions, so be sure to check out the full announcement on the BlackBerry site or swing by the CrackBerry Forums, and we can help with any questions or concerns you may have. This was a long time coming, but it's still a bit sad to see it official. At least we still have a new 5G BlackBerry Android smartphone with a keyboard to look forward to.

Tag: 
BlackBerry
BlackBerry OS
BlackBerry 10
BlackBerry Playbook
News & Rumors

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