BlackBerry is considering building an Android smartphone | ||
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BlackBerry is considering equipping an upcoming smartphone with Google's Android software for the first time, an acknowledgment that its revamped line of devices has failed to win mass appeal, according to four sources familiar with the matter. The move would be an about-face for the Waterloo, Ontario-based company, which had shunned Android in a bet that its BlackBerry 10 line of phones would be able to claw back market share lost to Apple's iPhone and a slew of devices powered by Android. The sources, who asked not to be named as they have not been authorized to discuss the matter publicly, said the move to use Android is part of BlackBerry's strategy to pivot to focus on software and device management. BlackBerry, which once dominated smartphone sales, now has a market share of less than 1 percent. It is not clear whether a move to use Android would spell the end of the company's BlackBerry 10 line of devices that were initially launched to much fanfare in early 2013. After positive early reviews, the late-to-launch BlackBerry devices haven't competed well with Android or Apple, mainly due to a lack of big name apps. "We don't comment on rumors and speculation, but we remain committed to the BlackBerry 10 operating system, which provides security and productivity benefits that are unmatched," said the company in an email. A Google spokeswoman declined to comment. BlackBerry Chief Executive John Chen is banking on the company's new device management system, BES12, that allows corporate and government clients to not only manage BlackBerry devices on their internal networks, but also devices powered by Android, Apple's iOS platform and Microsoft's Windows operating system.
Two sources said that by launching an Android-based device of its own, BlackBerry would be sending a signal to skeptics that it is confident that the BES12 system can not only manage, but also secure smartphones and tablets powered by rival operating systems. BlackBerry will probably use Android on an upcoming slider device that is likely to be released this autumn, two sources said. The slider will combine a touch screen with a physical keyboard that users can use if they prefer. BlackBerry briefly showed off the slider device on stage at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona in March, but it has provided little detail on it since then. By making an Android device that boasts a large touchscreen and a physical keyboard, BlackBerry hopes to snag a niche in the touchscreen-dominated Android market. The device may attract those still using older BlackBerry keyboard handhelds but who want access to the larger app options Android offers. HARDWARE CONUNDRUM
In March, BlackBerry announced that it planned to deliver its patented security, productivity and communication tools to any mobile device running iOS, Android or Windows. The company, which a while ago opened its popular BlackBerry Messaging app to those using rival operating systems, has said it plans to offer more in-house features on rival devices, including BlackBerry Hub and the predictive text capabilities of its virtual keyboard. Chen in March said the company was still committed to its own devices business. Since that time however, BlackBerry has cut headcount in its hardware unit even further. The company, which at a 2011 peak employed 17,500 people and in February was down to 6,225, said last month that it was making further cuts on the device side, without providing any numbers. (Story by Euan Rocha; Additional reporting by Yasmeen Abutaleb. Editing by Amran Abocar and John Pickering.) SEE ALSO: Cellphone-intercepting 'Stingray' spy technology is being used in the UK Join the conversation about this story » NOW WATCH: This 50-year-old theory is the reason we all use iPhones and iPads  | ||
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One of the hurdles it faces in that transformation is convincing big customers that its device management software works across many different platforms.
Two sources said that if BlackBerry moves forward on a plan to launch an Android device, it could come with some of the patented features in its BlackBerry 10 operating system. 51% of Germany wants Greece out of the euro — and 70% want no more concessions to Athens | ||
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51% of those polled would prefer Greece out of the euro, as opposed to 41% who think it should stay. A further 70% want no more concessions in the ongoing bailout talks. In fact, only 48% of Germany's far-left Die Linke party want further concessions — that figure drops to 21% for supporters of the CDU, Angela Merkel's party. Germans are also becoming more confident that their own country would be undamaged by Grexit: 65% believe that, up from 57% when the same question was asked for a previous poll. By the sounds of things, Greece's current negotiations to unlock billions of euros in bailout cash are not going well, and these figures offer some insight into that: Germany (and many other parts of Europe) are not at all happy to see another bailout for Greece, while Greece's governing party don't think they're getting a good enough deal. And that leaves the negotiators between a rock and a hard place. Join the conversation about this story » NOW WATCH: Here's how Floyd Mayweather spends his millions  | ||
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New polling from German broadcaster ZDF Sprite is covering its cans in lyrics from Drake, Nas, Rakim, and The Notorious B.I.G. (KO) | ||
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Sprite is decking its cans in lyrics from rappers this summer in the US. Next time you pick up a can of the lemon and lime-flavored drink it might have the words "know yourself, know your worth" from Drake's "0 to 100," or Nas' "living longevity to the destiny," from "If I Ruled The World." There will also be lyrics from Rakim and Notorious B.I.G. Sprite says in a press release that the marketing push, which also includes outdoor and digital advertising, harks back to the early days of the brand. Back in 1986, Sprite says it was one of the first mainsteam brands to embrace hip-hop, creating a TV ad featuring rapper Kurtis Blow. Over the years, Sprite campaigns have also featured other hip-hop artists such as Grandmaster Flash, A Tribe Called Quest, Missy Elliott, and Fat Joe. The "Obey Your Verse" campaign, created by Wieden + Kennedy New York, features these lyrics:
SEE ALSO: The end of the Coke era Join the conversation about this story » NOW WATCH: Coca-Cola is now selling milk and it costs twice as much as regular brands  | ||
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BlackBerry is considering building an Android smartphone | ||
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BlackBerry is considering equipping an upcoming smartphone with Google's Android software for the first time, an acknowledgment that its revamped line of devices has failed to win mass appeal, according to four sources familiar with the matter. The move would be an about-face for the Waterloo, Ontario-based company, which had shunned Android in a bet that its BlackBerry 10 line of phones would be able to claw back market share lost to Apple's iPhone and a slew of devices powered by Android. The sources, who asked not to be named as they have not been authorized to discuss the matter publicly, said the move to use Android is part of BlackBerry's strategy to pivot to focus on software and device management. BlackBerry, which once dominated smartphone sales, now has a market share of less than 1 percent. It is not clear whether a move to use Android would spell the end of the company's BlackBerry 10 line of devices that were initially launched to much fanfare in early 2013. After positive early reviews, the late-to-launch BlackBerry devices haven't competed well with Android or Apple, mainly due to a lack of big name apps. "We don't comment on rumors and speculation, but we remain committed to the BlackBerry 10 operating system, which provides security and productivity benefits that are unmatched," said the company in an email. A Google spokeswoman declined to comment. BlackBerry Chief Executive John Chen is banking on the company's new device management system, BES12, that allows corporate and government clients to not only manage BlackBerry devices on their internal networks, but also devices powered by Android, Apple's iOS platform and Microsoft's Windows operating system.
Two sources said that by launching an Android-based device of its own, BlackBerry would be sending a signal to skeptics that it is confident that the BES12 system can not only manage, but also secure smartphones and tablets powered by rival operating systems. BlackBerry will probably use Android on an upcoming slider device that is likely to be released this autumn, two sources said. The slider will combine a touch screen with a physical keyboard that users can use if they prefer. BlackBerry briefly showed off the slider device on stage at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona in March, but it has provided little detail on it since then. By making an Android device that boasts a large touchscreen and a physical keyboard, BlackBerry hopes to snag a niche in the touchscreen-dominated Android market. The device may attract those still using older BlackBerry keyboard handhelds but who want access to the larger app options Android offers. HARDWARE CONUNDRUM
In March, BlackBerry announced that it planned to deliver its patented security, productivity and communication tools to any mobile device running iOS, Android or Windows. The company, which a while ago opened its popular BlackBerry Messaging app to those using rival operating systems, has said it plans to offer more in-house features on rival devices, including BlackBerry Hub and the predictive text capabilities of its virtual keyboard. Chen in March said the company was still committed to its own devices business. Since that time however, BlackBerry has cut headcount in its hardware unit even further. The company, which at a 2011 peak employed 17,500 people and in February was down to 6,225, said last month that it was making further cuts on the device side, without providing any numbers. (Story by Euan Rocha; Additional reporting by Yasmeen Abutaleb. Editing by Amran Abocar and John Pickering.) SEE ALSO: Cellphone-intercepting 'Stingray' spy technology is being used in the UK Join the conversation about this story » NOW WATCH: This 50-year-old theory is the reason we all use iPhones and iPads  | ||
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Estonian construction workers dig up medieval ships | ||
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Tallinn (AFP) - The capital of Estonia is perhaps not the place where one would expect to find the remains of medieval ships, but that is exactly what happened to a group of construction workers in Tallinn this week. While working on the foundations for high-end apartments in a seaside area of the Baltic state's capital, the men noticed something strange in the ground: the remains of at least two ships thought to be from the 14th-17th centuries. "We were digging the ground, when we found some massive wooden pieces, and we decided this might be something interesting," said Ain Kivisaar, spokesman for property developer Metro Capital. They informed the heritage protection authorities, whose role over the coming weeks will be to recover the ships and find out their provenance. "Today we know there are two wrecks, and there may be another, but we don't know, we need to continue digging," said Maili Roio of the National Heritage Board. Archaeologist Priit Lahi said the find was important for shedding light on shipbuilding from previous centuries. "At the time, shipbuilders used their own methods -- it wasn't very scientific. There weren't project drawings like we have today," he told AFP. The discovery follows the unearthing of Viking-era ships on Estonia's largest island, Saaremaa, in 2009.
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REPORT: Germany is preparing for a Greek default with time for a last-minute deal running out | ||
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The bottom line is that it has not been good. On Thursday evening the International Monetary Fund (IMF) effectively walked away from bailout talks, citing "no progress" on the "major differences" with the Greek government. Now Germany's BILD tabloid reports that Berlin is now increasingly resigned to a Greek default, making preparations for debt haircuts and capital controls. The Greek government is still scrambling to unlock billions of euros as part of a deal which would allow it to make debt repayments — but would also require austerity measures and economic reforms that the new far-left government was elected in opposition against. At least one Greek minister is still hopeful of a deal by the time of the next Eurogroup meeting, when eurozone finance ministers gather on June 18. After that, Athens has "bundled" payments to make to the IMF on June 30, and further massive ones in July to the European Central Bank. Even if a deal was reached by June 18 (which now looks less likely), it may not be enough. Here's what Bank of America Merrill Lynch analyst Athanasios Vamvakidis said on Monday (emphasis ours): Greece and its creditors will have to finalise the deal by the end of this week, the Greek parliament will have to approve the deal the following week, and the European parliaments will have to approve it during the last week of June (assuming away problems with the summer recess). Such a deal will have to include at least €5bn to repay the IMF by June 30 and the ECB bonds that mature on July 20 — to cover all IMF and ECB payments during the summer, Greece needs about €10bn. We're now at the end of the week and are, if anything, further way from a deal. Though the hard deadline is still weeks away (and could be as late as July 20 according to some Greece-watchers), as BAML's Vamvakidis notes, a tentative agreement would take weeks of processing and back-and-forth. The later that comes, the more chance that some spanner is thrown into the works, or that Athens simply runs out of cash before everyone signs off on the deal. Peter Spiegel, Shawn Donnan and Kerin Hope at the Financial Times report that a deal was all but agreed earlier this week, during the head-to-head talks between Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and EU Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker. After the four-hour session, Mr Juncker thought he had a deal: Mr Tsipras had accepted new budget surplus targets that were tougher than Athens had hoped but lower than the existing bailout programme... Members of Mr Tsipras’s radical Syriza party angrily denounced the plan as soon as they caught wind of the details. Faced with a political firestorm back home in Athens, Mr Tsipras cancelled a follow-on meeting with Mr Juncker and instead delivered a strident rejection of the plan before the Greek parliament, calling it “absurd” and containing “irrational, blackmailing demands”. Meanwhile, Olaf Gersemann, business editor of Germany's Die Welt reports that the IMF negotiating team were effectively left twiddling their thumbs, stuck in a Brussels hotel for two weeks. If the FT is correct and Tsipras really is as beholden to his party as that version of events suggests, there could be massive issues ahead. Juncker has already said that this was his "last attempt" — if Syriza can't bear whatever details it includes on pension reforms or other red-line issues, it may not get any compromises from now on. As Dan Davies says, the Greek saga is now really into "squeaky bum time." Join the conversation about this story » NOW WATCH: This 1998 supercar could auction for $15 million  | ||
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We're now getting snippets from around Europe on just what the last few days have been like inside the Greek negotiations.