BlackBerry activates wayback machine, hints Q20 to be the first of several ‘Classic’ models

By Williams Pelegrin February 26, 2014

BlackBerry — Image used with permission by copyright holder

During its press conference at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, BlackBerry announced the BlackBerry Z3 and Q20. While the former aims squarely at the Indonesian market, the Q20 remains the more interesting device. Equipped with the traditional Menu, Send, Back, and End keys of BlackBerry yore, as well as a trackpad, the Q20 is reminiscent of older BlackBerry devices. Don’t expect it to be the only one of its kind, though.

Talking to CrackBerry, BlackBerry vice president of global product management Francois Mahieu confirmed that the BlackBerry “Classic,” as company CEO John Chen referred to the Q20 as, is not a one-time deal. Rather, the “Classic” is considered a portfolio of BlackBerry devices, hinting that we will see similar devices of that nature in the future.

Even so, BlackBerry is not only focused on the nostalgic segment of the market, but rather, several others. Mahieu revealed that it will continue to make affordable devices, much like the Z3, as well as Z30-like flagship devices and ultra-premium devices, such as the Porsche Design BlackBerrys. Remember those?

Time will tell if BlackBerry can deliver on these aspirations, and with the company not doing so well nowadays, it will need to.

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Williams Pelegrin

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Williams is an avid New York Yankees fan, speaks Spanish, resides in Colorado, and has an affinity for Frosted Flakes. Send…

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