Startup’s 5G Blackberry revival is reportedly no extra

Plans to resurrect the Blackberry model with a brand new keyboard-equipped 5G Android system have been shelved, in keeping with reports from AndroidPolice and CrackBerry. Development on the system was introduced in 2020 by Texas-based startup OnwardMobility, after it licensed the model title from Blackberry. The system was rumored to make use of the same design to 2015’s Blackberry Priv — which had a bodily keyboard that might be revealed with a slide of its display — with a launch date deliberate for a while in 2021.

That, clearly, didn’t occur, however there have been indicators of life earlier this yr when OnwardMobility revealed a weblog publish titled “Contrary to popular belief, we are not dead.” Although the corporate admitted that it had “encountered various delays that prevented us from shipping in 2021” it mentioned it hoped to supply an replace on its “ultra-secure 5G enterprise smartphone” quickly.

Now it appears the state of affairs has radically shifted. CrackBerry stories that “multiple sources” have confirmed to the publication that “OnwardMobility and their BlackBerry 5G keyboard phone dream are dead.” AndroidPolice provides that OnwardMobility’s license to make use of the Blackberry branding was not too long ago canceled and that BlackBerry’s CEO John Chen was reluctant for the model’s title for use on one other smartphone. The business’s continued supply-chain points are unlikely to have helped.

OnwardMobility didn’t instantly reply to The Verge’s request for remark. AndroidPolice notes it’s unclear whether or not the corporate will pivot to releasing a non-Blackberry branded smartphone, or stop buying and selling fully. But, maybe notably, its update from last month doesn’t point out the Blackberry title.

Blackberry itself received out of the buyer smartphone enterprise in 2016 to deal with cybersecurity services for enterprises, and merchandise operating its personal software program stopped working earlier this yr. The model title has been licensed out to smartphone producers like TCL and Optiemus Infracom over time, although every of those firms ultimately moved away from the model.

Given the variety of resurrections BlackBerry-branded smartphones have had over time, it feels presumptuous to name this the ultimate nail within the coffin. But the physique’s been chilly for some time now.