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BlackBerry Stops Making Phones, Licenses the BlackBerry Name To TCL For Android Phones (pcworld.com)

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the coming-back dept.

The BlackBerry smartphone is dead: Long live the BlackBerry smartphone. From a report on PCWorld: A week after it officially pulled out of the smartphone market, BlackBerry has agreed to license its brand to handset manufacturer TCL. The Chinese company will make and market future BlackBerry handsets worldwide except for India, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal, where BlackBerry has already struck local licensing deals. This is hardly new territory for TCL, which manufactured BlackBerry's last two handsets, the Android-based DTEK50 and DTEK60. BlackBerry has taken a more direct route out of the handset manufacturing business than Nokia, another of the marquee phone brands of the early years of this century. When Nokia sold its smartphone business to Microsoft, it also gave that company the right to use the Nokia brand for a transitional period. When Nokia got its name back earlier this year, it promptly granted a 10-year license to HMD Global, a Finnish company, to use its name on new phones.

48 comments

  1. license their name, make nothing but money by bsDaemon · · Score: 2

    and not even as much of it as they let on.

    Are they the Donald Trump of phone vendors now?

    1. Re:license their name, make nothing but money by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      What the hell is that even supposed to mean? Or do you just know that making any lame joke at the President-elect's expense will ensure you get modded up?

    2. Re:license their name, make nothing but money by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      There's a good four years (Or less) of this coming. I suggest you get used to it.

    3. Re:license their name, make nothing but money by ItsJustAPseudonym · · Score: 3, Informative

      It's an analogy to Trump University.

      When Trump U got sued as frauds, and Donald was asked what he knew about it, he said he only licensed his name to them, and was not involved in the operation or the content.

      Analogous to the Blackberry and TCL relationship. Get it?

    4. Re:license their name, make nothing but money by bsDaemon · · Score: 1

      Well, I was thinking more of the buildings/properties that he licenses his name to, but they're funded and built by other entities. They just license the Trump name for branding purposes. BlackBerry has a lot of brand recognition held over from the old days when they were doing far better than they are now. I have good memories of their hardware build quality, etc. They were like the the Thinkpad of "smart" phones. Now they've gone down hill and are only BlackBerry in name, just like Thinkpad.

      But in the Thinkpad case, Lenovo makes the hardware and owns the brand. IBM didn't keep the brand name and slap it on someone else's computer, like Trump does with buildings and BlackBerry now does with phones.

    5. Re:license their name, make nothing but money by AchilleTalon · · Score: 1

      Dumbest comment so far. I suppose you believe a Trump reference automagically makes it clever?

      --
      Achille Talon
      Hop!
    6. Re:license their name, make nothing but money by ItsJustAPseudonym · · Score: 1

      I have the news.

      http://www.cbsnews.com/news/tr...

  2. Good Housekeeping by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Likes this!

  3. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA by Captain+Splendid · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Die, you misbegotten fucking idiots, die!

    Seriously though, they'll be using BB as a textbook example of how to completely miss an emerging market for decades to come.

    --
    Linux, you magnificent bastard, I read the fucking manual!
    1. Re:HAHAHAHAHAHAHA by The-Ixian · · Score: 2

      BB has made several acquisitions over the years which will probably continue to bring in money.

      They just aren't in the consumer market so much anymore.

      QNX is in automobiles including Fords, Good technology is used heavily in governments around the world and, I am sure, they have a raft of IP that they can still license/litigate out.

      --
      My eyes reflect the stars and a smile lights up my face.
    2. Re:HAHAHAHAHAHAHA by fnj · · Score: 1

      Snort. QNX was an RTOS developed by Quantum Software Systems 30 years before Blackberry gobbled it up.

    3. Re:HAHAHAHAHAHAHA by unixisc · · Score: 1

      That's tragic indeed. They had a great business platform, but failed to stay on par w/ smartphones. Also their failures and blackouts which had executives clamoring for iPhones, even though at the time, that phone was not a good business phone

    4. Re:HAHAHAHAHAHAHA by pushing-robot · · Score: 1

      LPT: Competition keeps companies competitive. Even if you prefer product $X, you should be glad for the existence of products $Y and $Z.

      (I realize you were joking, but it's waaay too common of a sentiment around here.)

      --
      How can I believe you when you tell me what I don't want to hear?
    5. Re:HAHAHAHAHAHAHA by Goetterdaemmerung · · Score: 1

      Die, you misbegotten fucking idiots, die!
      Seriously though, they'll be using BB as a textbook example of how to completely miss an emerging market for decades to come.

      Sigh. Your jovial flamebait disappoints although your final conclusion is accurate. You must be a fan of the clickbait headline strategies.

    6. Re: HAHAHAHAHAHAHA by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      iPhone still isn't a good business phone.

    7. Re: HAHAHAHAHAHAHA by unixisc · · Score: 1

      I agree. I've found the Lumia to be best in that aspect.

  4. I hope it stays true, but doubt it. by wjcofkc · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I have a Priv and I love it. While I typically shun Android interfaces that are not stock, the Priv's above and beyond not stock is something I really love. The security on the phone is top notch, but I don't see trusting that going all out Chinese. It will be interesting to see what TCL churns out, but I don't think it will be the Blackberry devices I know. It is too bad BB10 flopped, it was actually really great and would have made a great third competitor if their name was not already mud by the time it came out (I own a classic and still sometimes swap sims). Then there was the Canada thing.

    --
    Brought to you by Carl's Junior.
    1. Re: I hope it stays true, but doubt it. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      priv definately seems to be one of the best phones on the market right now... i was really looking forward to getting a priv 2 having made the mistake of getting an s7 :(

    2. Re:I hope it stays true, but doubt it. by mccrew · · Score: 1

      It is too bad BB10 flopped, it was actually really great ...

      (Nodding head) BB10, the Hub, ease of use were all great, but it was too little too late.

      --
      Hey, Windows users, there is no such thing as "forward" slash, there is only slash and backslash.
    3. Re:I hope it stays true, but doubt it. by AchilleTalon · · Score: 1

      Security doesn't mean protection from govt. So, the statement still hold. The BB phones Priv and DTEKs are much better than anything else in the market on that aspect. I have a DTEK and the OS is regularily patched as soon as security bugs are made public.

      --
      Achille Talon
      Hop!
    4. Re:I hope it stays true, but doubt it. by 110010001000 · · Score: 1

      "Security doesn't mean protection from govt. "

      Now THAT is funny. Canadians really love their BB.

    5. Re:I hope it stays true, but doubt it. by wjcofkc · · Score: 1

      I consider the hub under BB10 to be one of the most useful smartphone innovations...well...ever. They attempted the hub on Android but it is unintuitive, and feels like it was slapped on at the last second. It just feels like it doesn't belong. It also restricts flexibility in configuring notifications. Unless you want what amount to duplicates. Sadly, I turned it off. It would be nice if they had got that right, and included a small, discreet, hardware tool belt accessible without having to slide down the otherwise very nice keyboard. I though about springing for a Passport, but no tool belt.

      --
      Brought to you by Carl's Junior.
  5. "Licensed to China" -- I stopped reading there... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Blackberry had a sterling reputation for security, especially if one's enterprise used BES. BIS wasn't bad either. Now that the devices are Chinese made, if I want a fundamentally secure phone where I'm not playing the security flaw lottery. This means Silent Circle's Blackphone 2, a HTC [1] phone with CyanogenMod on it, or a Google Pixel/Nexus phone. This definitely means that Blackberry is just like Motorola and Lenovo -- (IMHO) tainted brands.

    [1]: HTC is Taiwanese, which means less to worry about from a security perspective.

  6. Too bad by lawaetf1 · · Score: 3, Insightful

    The BB10 OS was a delight to use. Imagine being able to peak into your inbox no matter which app you have running? I have a Priv now and while I like it (especially the trackpad feature) I still miss the old OS.

    --
    CommentBot 0.7a running with args "-module irritate,disagree -target random"
  7. QNX by unixisc · · Score: 1

    Is that one of the few things Blackberry will be selling/licensing now? Can't get too greedy, w/ some of the competition out there - Minix, Chorus, even Linux

  8. Maybe TCL will make an Android Bold? by MyFirstNameIsPaul · · Score: 3, Insightful

    As a salesman, I sorely miss the physical keyboard. For those of us who need to quickly bang out good looking, professional emails, I have not found a single touch-screen keyboard that holds a candle to the physical keyboards of the classic BlackBerry phones, especially the Bold 9900. I had to add back in to my sig "sent from my phone" because of the persistent typos.

    --

    I once took an excursion to Reddit, and later HN. Unlimited up/down voting sucks when dealing with a hive-mind.

    1. Re:Maybe TCL will make an Android Bold? by hackel · · Score: 0

      Proofreading is a thing. "Sent from my phone" is no excuse for your sloppiness.

    2. Re:Maybe TCL will make an Android Bold? by MyFirstNameIsPaul · · Score: 2

      Right, which is why it takes considerably longer to type the same email, as I was indicating with the word "quickly". By my estimate, it takes up to five times longer to send a reply on touchscreen than on BlackBerry keyboard, with the biggest time waster coming from the pathetic editing interface that's used for, you know, corrections from proofreading. The sig entry coming because there are still problems. Nothing sloppy about it - respond to 100 emails a day on your touch screen and guess what happens despite proofreading? Stupid spelling errors, and I long ago turned off autocorrect because it never seems to know what word I'm actually trying to type.

      --

      I once took an excursion to Reddit, and later HN. Unlimited up/down voting sucks when dealing with a hive-mind.

    3. Re:Maybe TCL will make an Android Bold? by mccrew · · Score: 1

      Proofreading is a thing.

      And here on Slashdot, blaming users to excuse built-in technical failings is also a thing.

      --
      Hey, Windows users, there is no such thing as "forward" slash, there is only slash and backslash.
    4. Re:Maybe TCL will make an Android Bold? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      As a salesman, I sorely miss the physical keyboard. For those of us who need to quickly bang out good looking, professional emails, I have not found a single touch-screen keyboard that holds a candle to the physical keyboards of the classic BlackBerry phones, especially the Bold 9900. I had to add back in to my sig "sent from my phone" because of the persistent typos.

      The BlackBerry Priv has a physical slider keyboard; it works very well including while composing lengthy email replies.

    5. Re:Maybe TCL will make an Android Bold? by pushing-robot · · Score: 1

      That's why I switched to 'Sent from my back pocket.'

      --
      How can I believe you when you tell me what I don't want to hear?
    6. Re:Maybe TCL will make an Android Bold? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Galaxt Chat was pretty much an Android with a physical keyboard. I really liked it but the CPU was a bit slow.

    7. Re:Maybe TCL will make an Android Bold? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The Blackberry Mercury will also have a physical keyboard and it's expected to be announced at MWC in Feb 2017

      http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/135924-blackberry-mercury-what-s-the-story-so-far/gallery?photo=2

    8. Re: Maybe TCL will make an Android Bold? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Who types messages on mobile devices any more? Voice recognition is how to do it.

    9. Re:Maybe TCL will make an Android Bold? by MyFirstNameIsPaul · · Score: 1

      I realize I'm getting really nit-picky here, but I also want the trackpad. That is another invaluable tool, especially when used for editing. I have yet to see an interface that is as effective at manually editing. I find most people who try to debate me on this topic have never had a job where actually had to respond, in a professional manner, to a high volume of emails. Everyone else I've discussed this with who has such work experience is in agreement that the touchscreen keyboards are a step backwards in productivity.

      --

      I once took an excursion to Reddit, and later HN. Unlimited up/down voting sucks when dealing with a hive-mind.

    10. Re: Maybe TCL will make an Android Bold? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Ya 2 types mess ages on Moe bile the vices any or ?

    11. Re: Maybe TCL will make an Android Bold? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You forgot the /sarcasm tag and I'm afraid people won't get it.

  9. Priv by gatzke · · Score: 1

    My Blackberry Priv is the best phone I will probably ever own.

    1. Re:Priv by Thunderstruck · · Score: 1

      You are not alone, my four-digit friend.

      --
      Trying to use sarcasm in text-based forums does not work.
  10. No surprise really, I have a PRIV, and it's crap by 0xdeaddead · · Score: 1

    their days are long gone. I can't believe anyone wants their name.

  11. Re:No surprise really, I have a PRIV, and it's cra by acoustix · · Score: 2

    I have a Priv and it works well for me. But I really miss the BB10 OS on my Z10. It was solid, fast and secure.

    --
    "A plan fiendishly clever in its intricacies"- Homer Simpson
  12. Licensing deals... by hackel · · Score: 1

    Brand licensing deals need to be outlawed. The notion is absolutely ridiculous in the modern age, a world where international boundaries mean little. How are consumers supposed to know that their Blackberry manufactured in India is different from another Blackberry manufactured in China, in fact coming from two entirely different companies? This is absurd. Either sell the entire company, or just let it rest in peace.

    1. Re:Licensing deals... by Goetterdaemmerung · · Score: 1

      Brand licensing deals need to be outlawed. The notion is absolutely ridiculous in the modern age, a world where international boundaries mean little. How are consumers supposed to know that their Blackberry manufactured in India is different from another Blackberry manufactured in China, in fact coming from two entirely different companies? This is absurd. Either sell the entire company, or just let it rest in peace.

      Nobody wants to buy the company. They tried. They failed. Instead of laying off the remaining few thousand workers they let other companies give them some revenue for the brand name while they target other markets with other brands like QNX. It also means the consumer brand Blackberry will suck unless some vendor can do something novel. It was a mistake and a waste of money to change the company name from Research In Motion to BlackBerry about 3 years ago.

  13. Re:"Licensed to China" -- I stopped reading there. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    The hardware is Chinese made. The software, however, is still rolled by Blackberry.

  14. Missing Blackberry by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    My first smartphone was blackberry which is blackberry 9550 touch screen and what ever i have a smartphone but i used to have blackberry smartphone and even now i recently bought this smartphone which it got blackberry's OS.
      http://www.buysmaart.com/Smartphones/BlackBerry/BlackBerry-Z10/43