BlackBerry unveils Android-powered smartphone ‘Priv’

Amidst seriously flagging sales, John Chen has confirmed the rumored BlackBerry Priv to be the company’s first Android smartphone.

Android is the operating system of choice on 52 percent of mobile phones and tablets, while iOS has a almost 41 percent share, according to the latest stats from NetMarketShare. If more people had bought Amazons phone, developers would have made more applications for its app store, benefiting BlackBerry in the process, Chen said.

He tried showing the new phone in action, but it was clear that he was not well versed with the new device as he kept saying “runs Google” instead of Android.

Whatever the phone’s other potential attributes, its name is already being met by some BlackBerry fans with some bemusement, if not outright derision.

This new hands-on video is notable because not only does it give us a close look at the BlackBerry Priv, but also because it spills a couple of the Priv’s spec details. There’s certainly a lot riding on the Priv. After years of below-par phones, it will be hoping its Android debut can be its saving grace.

The device business, I would say, is not dead yet but in bad shape.

Also, BlackBerry’s CEO reaffirmed its commitment to BlackBerry 10 on Friday.

BlackBerry did report a profit of $51 million (US Dollars) for three months through August 29. Revenue from Latin America plunged 70 percent to $33 million from a year earlier, contributing to an earnings loss of 13 cents a share.

Nevertheless, BlackBerry is by no means abandoning its BB10 smartphones or operating system.

Strengthening software licensing and services revenues has been part of Chen’s priorities. Chen said in March revenue wouldnt fall below $500 million during the turnaround.

The Waterloo, Ont.-based company has issued widespread layoff notices to its workforce this summer.

Some of those employees have been told they will lose their jobs in November, one of the sources close to the matter said. He said it was possible that such software might even become free.

Currently, BlackBerry has approximately 3,000 employees total in Canada.