Eager to see TCL’s version of the BlackBerry? You’ll only have to wait until CES

By Lulu Chang December 19, 2016

tcl blackberry ces facebook on old — Sayid Zulhusni/123RF

Just a few days after buying the global rights to the BlackBerry phone brand, Chinese company TCL has some more big news — it’s debuting its version of the BlackBerry of the future at CES 2017, which takes place in just a few short weeks. It’s a bittersweet beginning and end for BlackBerry, which on Monday, solidified its position outside the smartphone arena by announcing the opening of a new autonomous vehicle research hub in Canada. But just because BlackBerry isn’t making its signature phones anymore doesn’t mean that the smartphone itself is going anywhere.

Very exciting news. Can’t wait to share more at #CES2017 #TheNewBlackBerry https://t.co/vklgf2hY2T

— Steve Cistulli (@SteveCistulli) December 15, 2016

President and General Manager of TCL North America Steve Cistulli confirmed on Twitter that new BlackBerry devices will make an appearance in Las Vegas, with Cistulli calling the news “very exciting.” This actually isn’t the first time that TCL will be making BlackBerry devices (they were behind the DTEK50 and the DTEK60), and the company has also manufactured handsets on behalf of Alcatel. Still, it’ll be challenge to see whether TCL can restore BlackBerry to its former fame and ubiquity.

Of course, BlackBerry itself has noted that it’s making one last phone itself, though details remain sparse. After that last hurrah, however, BlackBerry will no longer be in the mobile game — at least, not in the same capacity it was before. Last week, the Canadian company officially made good on CEO John Chen’s promise to outsource device design, production, and marketing. Now that BlackBerry and TCL have signed a deal to work with one another, only a small number of manufacturers will be able to make BlackBerry phones.

While BlackBerry has clearly had trouble keeping up with competitors in recent years, it remains a mainstay in a number of industries across the U.S. and Europe, specifically those that value the physical keyboard, the email-centric functionality, and perhaps, a bit of the professional nostalgia that has always accompanied this handset.

So here’s looking at you, TCL. CES ought to be a good time.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Fascinated by the effects of technology on human interaction, Lulu believes that if her parents can use your new app…

Mobile

I record interviews for work. These are my favorite free recorder apps

The iPhone 14 Pro and Google Pixel 7 Pro's voice recording apps running together.

The Voice Recorder app on a phone (left) and the Voice Memos on another phone Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Before you head to the app store on your phone to buy a voice-recording app, take a moment to consider the apps that may already be installed on your phone. Why? In my experience, they're likely all you really need. I’ve recorded interviews and voice-overs for work for years, and I’ve found the two best examples come preinstalled on your phone already, so they’re entirely free to use.

Mobile

The best Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 cases: 10 best ones so far

Two Galaxy Z Fold 5 phones next to each other -- one is open and one is closed.

Samsung’s next-generation foldable is here with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5. This iteration has some notable improvements, including a new hinge design that eliminates the gap from previous generations when the device was folded. You also get a 6.2-inch HD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display on the outside while having a 6.7-inch QXGA+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display on the inside, with both screens having a 120Hz refresh rate. In other words, they're about as nice as you could ask for.

The Galaxy Z Fold 5 is made with premium materials, and the triple-lens camera system packs in a 50MP main shooter, 10MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom, and a 12MP ultrawide lens. There’s a 10MP selfie camera on the front cover, and a 4MP camera on the inner display. You also get a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chip inside for the best performance and power efficiency.

Mobile

Google Pixel Tablet just got its first big discount and it’s worth a look

Google Pixel Tablet on its charging dock.

Tablets are a dime-a-dozen these days, with offerings from all the great brands including Apple, Samsung, Lenovo, and more. So, if you really want to stand out in a sea of similar tech, you need to do things a little differently. That's what Google's Pixel Tablet offers. How? It comes with a unique speaker dock that can be used to both charge the device and offer room-filling sound -- almost like a smart speaker add-on. Better yet, when your Pixel Tablet is docked it benefits from the Hub Mode, turning the device into a smart display, with digital photo frame support, smart home controls, and hands-free Google functionality. Of course, it could set you back at full price, normally $499 unless you find it included in a roundup of the best Google Pixel deals. Well, guess what? Thanks to a Best Buy Google Pixel Tablet deal, you can get it today for $439 and save $60. Hurry, though, it's part of Best Buy's recent 48-hour sale so it won't stick around for long.

Why you should buy the Google Pixel Tablet
Okay, okay, so in our Google Pixel Tablet review, Joe Maring did give it less than stellar remarks, but he called out its reliable fingerprint sensor, comfortability during use and excellent speaker dock. Honestly, how many tablets come with a matching speaker dock that transforms the entire experience? This tablet also marks a "lot of firsts" for Google, as it's the first tablet from the company in nearly five years, the first Android tablet in eight years, and can be converted into a smart home display with the speaker dock. All of which are notable milestones.