BlackBerry wants to license its BlackBerry Secure OS

In the past few years, BlackBerry has transformed itself from a company that made and sold smartphones running its own operating system to one that licenses its name to smartphone makers who want to take advantage of its brand recognition. It also develops what it says is a more secure version of Android than the pure thing that emanates from Google.

However, partnering with the likes of TCL, Optiemus, and BB Merah Putih for smartphone production was just the first phase of BlackBerry's licensing strategy as it turns out. Phase two involves licensing out its security-focused version of Android to companies willing to ship non-BlackBerry branded handsets that run "BlackBerry Secure" - which is the name it's given the OS that results after it modifies stock Android.

BlackBerry says it's already working on "a number of different contracts" regarding such licensing, some of those due to be announced soon. The information comes from Alex Thurber, BlackBerry Senior Vice President and General Manager for Mobility Solutions. Any device running BlackBerry Secure will be indistinguishable, software-wise, from a BlackBerry branded phone.

“We have three partners today that cover the world. We are not looking at any other partners for pure BlackBerry brand,” Thurber said.

The Canadian company also sees huge opportunity in the Enterprise of Things (EoT) segment and is looking at providing its secure operating system for televisions, wearables and medical devices.

The executive said that connected things have computers which could be hacked and used for cyber-attacks. “We believe it is important to bring security into every element of enterprise of things,” he added.

BlackBerry had earlier this month launched KeyOne Limited Edition Black in partnership with Optiemus in India.

“Indian market is very exciting and competitive. With huge potential users in the subcontinent, it's the market we are very interested in,” Thurber added.
Consumers in India are becoming more aware of privacy, which could help drive BlackBerry smartphones, he said.