Skip to main content

BlackBerry only has eyes for Android in 2016, says CEO John Chen

For BlackBerry, 2016 looks set to be “the year of Android phones.” That’s right, the company that saw its business decimated in the face of competition from Android (and iOS) devices has decided to put any development of new BB10 phones on the back burner, opting instead to follow up its recently released Priv handset with a couple of additional smartphones for Google’s mobile platform.

And this isn’t simple speculation. This is straight from the mouth of BlackBerry boss John Chen, who discussed the matter with Cnet this week.

Recommended Videos

The CEO declined to go into details about the new devices, and refused to offer any dates for when they might hit the market. However, it’s possible one of those smartphones is the rumored “Vienna” handset. Apparent press snaps of the phone reveal an always-present physical keyboard, a feature that distinguishes it from the Priv, which comes with a retractable one. To find out more about BlackBerry’s Vienna device, be sure to drop by DT’s dedicated page here.

For many, the mobile company’s switch to Android last year with the Priv was too little too late, but with sales described by Chen as “so far, so good,” BlackBerry evidently sees Android as the way forward as it looks to grab back users who’ve deserted it in recent years for rival, more popular platforms.

Giving hope to BlackBerry fans, as well as his employees and company shareholders, Chen insisted this week, “We can make money in devices, and I think we’re close.”

Things are certainly looking up for the Waterloo, Ontario company. It reported an 11.8 percent jump in revenue in its last reported quarter, marking the first time in two years since it had two consecutive quarters of increasing revenue.

During his most recent earnings call last month, Chen said his priority was to get BlackBerry “into a break-even position with the device business, because you really couldn’t do anything strategically with a business that continues to lose money,” adding, “We’re in that ballpark now.”

So what about BB10? BlackBerry isn’t about to ditch the platform, that’s for sure. And if it can make a go of its Android phones, we could even see some new BB10 devices somewhere down the road. But for this year it seems BlackBerry only has eyes for Android.

Trevor Mogg
Contributing Editor
Not so many moons ago, Trevor moved from one tea-loving island nation that drives on the left (Britain) to another (Japan)…
Google confirms merging Chrome OS and Android into one platform
Google Chrome app on s8 screen.

Why it matters: Google's push to blend Chrome OS and Android could supercharge affordable laptops like Chromebooks, making them more versatile for work and play. This move echoes Apple's seamless ecosystem across iPadOS and macOS, potentially shaking up the PC market where Windows dominates but innovation lags.

What's happening: In a bombshell interview, Google's Android ecosystem president Sameer Samat outright confirmed the company is "combining Chrome OS and Android into a single platform. This follows months of rumors and aligns with Android 16's new desktop-friendly features, like proper windowing and external display support. But then Samat later clarified on X that it's not a full-on merger killing Chrome OS; instead, it's about weaving Android's tech stack deeper into Chrome for better app compatibility and hardware efficiency.

Read more
The best iPhone apps in 2025: These are the apps you need to download right now
Best iPhone apps 2025.

Your iPhone is a powerhouse, but with millions of apps cluttering the App Store, picking winners saves time, boosts efficiency, and amps up fun—especially as iOS evolves with smarter AI and seamless integrations.

I've curated standout apps based on my personal experience in addition to researching reader reviews and even other sites on the web across essential categories, drawing from hands-on tests and expert insights. These aren't just popular; they're game-changers for productivity, health, entertainment, and more. 

Read more
OnePlus makes Apple Watch owners jealous with novel charging cable
Apple owners are having to pay a lot more for the privilage
A OnePlus smartwatch being connected to the POGO pin on the OnePlus 2-in-1 charging cable

Update 07/16: we've now included mention of Nomad's 2-in-1 charger for iPhone and Apple Watch

Look, I get it. Charging cables aren't exactly the sexiest product in the tech world and I'd forgive you for rolling your eyes - but OnePlus has introduced a new cable at a price point which makes it way more accessible than rivals.

Read more