BlackBerry (BBRY) is a mobile company that has been failing miserably to keep up with relevance with competitors like Android and iPhone. Several months back, however, BlackBerry took the oath of “if you can’t be em’: join em'” and released the BlackBerry Priv: their first Android powered smartphone with classic BBM apps, and Android 5.0 Lollipop; all while boasting touchscreen and the classic keyboard.
While some folks have had their doubts about the phone, or BlackBerry’s chance to become relevant again in the market have been quite slim, news today from Walmart and Best Buy retailers show that the Android-powered device is garnishing a reputation. The two stores (while not immediately sharing sale figures/comments) have restocked the device onto the shelves on Friday – all this while the stock priced jumped up 7% alonside the news.
The Priv has become the surprising hit from a company who has had many failures in their lineup; and this could be partly due to its unique design (touchscreen + keyboard) and/or Android 5.0 Operating System. With the stock jump and stock shipment, BlackBerry might be in for a very good future of possibly becoming known in the mobile market again; and hopefully bringing challenge to fellow Android product developers, such as Samsung and LG. However, it could take just one major mistake in the Priv device or a quick lack of interest to cause the company to consider leaving mobile hardware all together.
“Anyone who has been watching closely at what I’ve been trying to do at BlackBerry has surely heard me say that we would not stay in the device business if we were not profitable,” CEO John Chen wrote in a blog post earlier this year. “That said, we are doing everything possible to make our devices profitable.”
What are your thoughts on the sales of the rather new BlackBerry Priv? Leave your thoughts below.