BlackBerry CEO touts new ‘Classic’
Posted Oct 30, 2014 11:58:04 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
BlackBerry has offered up more details about its latest device – the yet-to-be-released BlackBerry Classic.
In an open online letter, company CEO John Chen said the Classic will feature a physical keyboard, and will bring back the track pad and function keys – standard features on the BlackBerry Curve and Bold.
BlackBerry analyst Jack Gold told 570 News the Classic will target existing BlackBerry users who have decided not to upgrade to the BlackBerry Passport. “It’s aimed at the core BlackBerry user, the current BlackBerry user, which is the Bold. There is a significant number of users who never upgraded beyond the Bold.”
Gold says the Classic, to be released before the end of the year, is designed to appeal directly to the BlackBerry core. “I think it’s a very important device in that regard because if they can get the existing install base of older BlackBerrys upgraded, that could be a very significant number for them.”
Gold adds BlackBerry is also hoping to attract users of other devices. “It’s also, honestly, to tell people out there that have moved on that may not be happy with other devices, Android or IOS, that ‘hey, we’re back.'”
In his letter, Chen also said the screen on the Classic is bigger and sharper than that of the Curve and Bold.
