Samsung, BlackBerry are building a secure, 'spy-proof' tablet for German government

By Christian de Looper September 2, 2016

Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 — Jessica Lee Star/Digital Trends

Samsung and BlackBerry are teaming up to create what they’re calling a “spyproof” Samsung tablet that will be used by the German government to handle classified information. Yeah, it’s basically a device for James Bond.

This isn’t the first time that the companies have joined forces to build high-security tablets. Last year, the two companies, with IBM’s help, introduced a modified version of the Galaxy Tab S 10.5, which was also aimed at being highly secure. The device was called the SecuTablet, and came at a very pricey $2,380. It’s not yet known exactly how much the new device, along with its security features, will cost. It’s also not known what kind of a deal BlackBerry has with the German government.

The new device will be a modified Samsung Galaxy Tab S2, and will include a security card. It will also boast encryption and certification software — BlackBerry’s Secusmart — which basically locks information stored on the SecuTablet, according to BlackBerry. Samsung will also be loading the device up with Knox, it’s own security software.

BlackBerry has been struggling to find its feet in the past few years, and even resorted to doing away with its own operating system in favor of Android for its last two handsets. It has long been expected that the company would close its mobile handset division altogether, but it has so far declined to do so. Perhaps success in the security industry will help convince the company that it can find a niche in another market. Either that, or the money it makes in the security industry will be used to build more phones.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Christian de Looper

Contributor

Christian’s interest in technology began as a child in Australia, when he stumbled upon a computer at a garage sale that he…

Mobile

Samsung starts Black Friday early with new Note 10 colors and exclusive deals

samsung galaxy note 10 deal best buy review design 1 1200x9999

You usually have to wait until after Thanksgiving for the best Black Friday deals, but Samsung is getting a head start with two new color variants for the Galaxy Note 10, and some exclusive trade-in deals. Starting from Thursday 21, you can grab a Galaxy Note 10 in aura red and aura pink, and a free pair of Galaxy Buds. Best of all, some smart trade-in and buying options can net you your Note 10 for as little as $99, saving you almost $900.

Of course, there are some extensive caveats on those deals. Firstly, the new colors. The aura red and aura pink are only available in limited quantities in the U.S., and you'll need to limit yourself to specific buying options to get them. At the time of writing, you can pick up the aura pink Note 10 when you buy unlocked or from T-Mobile. The aura red is even more exclusive, and you can currently only get it from T-Mobile.

Cars

BlackBerry will provide cybersecurity for future Jaguar Land Rover vehicles

jaguar land rover and blackberry expand tech partnership

In 2018, Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) and BlackBerry announced a partnership that would see BlackBerry tech used in future JLR vehicles. The original scope of the partnership included a next-generation infotainment system, but now the two companies have expanded it to include other new tech.

A BlackBerry press release said the company would provide JLR with artificial intelligence (A.I.) and machine-learning tech for future vehicles. BlackBerry was light on details about how this tech would be used, only noting that "predictive software maintenance" and "cybersecurity threat protection" were among the possible applications.

Mobile

BlackBerry Key2 LE: Everything you need to know

The BlackBerry Key2 LE is back home at Verizon, but only for business types

BlackBerry Key2 LE Hands On

The BlackBerry Key LE is a lower-cost version of the Key2, doing away with some of the more high-tech features seen on the expensive sister phone, and cutting costs by using different materials for the body, to create a more affordable but still distinctly BlackBerry smartphone.

You can check out our Key2 LE review to learn more about what it's like to live with the phone, but in the meantime, here are all the technical specs, details, and availability options.
Updates
The BlackBerry Key2 LE is available to buy at Verizon, but only to business and enterprise customers, according to reports. Verizon's selling the Key2 LE for $450 without a contract, or for $100 if you sign up for a two-year plan. The phone does not show up on Verizon's non-business store, so there does not seem to be the option to buy the phone for this price without a business plan.