BlackBerry was one of the last major handset makers that created both the software and hardware for its smartphones. The strategy worked well for it in the previous decade while Apple continues to win with it now. Many OEMs have just decided to license Android from Google and not bother with creating their own OS. However, it’s been a while since BlackBerry released a handset powered by BB10 OS, and the latest round of job cuts at the company is not helping to end rumors about the future of its OS.
BlackBerry’s last handset was the BlackBerry Priv, the first Android smartphone it has ever made, and it certainly won’t be the last one. A company executive recently said that Android really is the future for the company so one can imagine why the rumor mill believes BlackBerry might give up on BB10 OS altogether.
It merits mentioning here that the company always responds to such reports by reiterating its commitment to the BlackBerry 10 platform so it looks like even if it doesn’t release a new BB10 handset it plans on supporting existing ones for several years before finally deciding to pull the plug.
BlackBerry has confirmed that it has cut 200 jobs from its offices in Florida and Canada. It didn’t really say which departments have been most impacted but this latest round of layoffs but rumor has it that BB10 development has been hit. Some are of the view that BlackBerry is just trimming the ranks since it doesn’t plan on actively pushing BB10 through new devices.
Nothing is known for sure right now though and for its part, BlackBerry reiterates that it’s not giving up on BlackBerry 10.
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