Blackberry Confirms Plan To Launch Its First Android Smartphone Priv Later This Year

While announcing their Q2 financial results for FY15-16, BlackBerry confirmed its plan to launch Priv (a.k.a Venice), its first Android based smartphone with a slider form factor. BlackBerry did not officially launch the device, but has just confirmed its existence and their plans on launching it later this year. The company also reassured that it will not stop working on BlackBerry 10, its own OS for its devices, and will continue to develop and support it for the foreseeable future. The BlackBerry Priv does seem to be an impressive handset with a sliding keyboard. It has already leaked in plenty of pictures, and leaks indicate that the handset will come with a Snapdragon 808 processor, 3GB RAM, an 18MP shooter, and run a near stock build of Android 5.1. [Via CrackBerry] Update: And below is a video of BlackBerry’s CEO showing off the Priv in action and explaining the reason behind the phone’s name. The video will make you cringe and laugh out loud, as the Blackberry Chief struggles to use Android.