It’s out with the old to make room for the new at BlackBerry, as the smartphone manufacturer announced it would stop making the BlackBerry Classic, its last device to use a physical keyboard.
The company announced the plans in a blog post on Tuesday, noting that discontinuing the device in order to continue “innovating and advancing” its portfolio.
To do so, the company says it will update its lineup of smartphones, focusing on a new series of Android and BlackBerry 10 device designs.
“As part of this, and after many successful years in the market, we will no longer manufacture BlackBerry Classic,” COO and General Manager for devices Ralph Pini said in the blog post. “It has been an incredible workhorse device for customers, exceeding all expectations.”
Despite that, BlackBerry says the Classic has simply run its course.
“The Classic has long surpassed the average lifespan for a smartphone in today’s market,” Pini says. “We are ready for this change so we can give our customers something better – entrenched in our legacy in security and pedigree in making the most productive smartphones.”
Pini says the company will continue to support BlackBerry 10 with software updates and are on track to a new version soon.
BlackBerry encourages customers who would still like to use a Classic device to check with their carriers for availability or purchase an unlocked device online.
Pini’s confirmation of the end of the BlackBerry Classic comes as the Senate announced last week that it would make the switch to Android or iPhone, citing the discontinuation of the Classic, USA Today reports.
According to a memo from the Senate Sergeant at Arms sent last week, Senate staff will no longer receive new BlackBerry phones.
by Ashlee Kieler via Consumerist
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