BlackBerry, that is known to make phone hardware under the same name, is seeking partners across several categories to integrate BlackBerry Secure software into both BlackBerry-branded and co-branded devices as part of its brand licensing strategy.
Towards this endeavour, the company has signed pacts with new licensing partners. It is also planning to come out with tablets, wearables, medical devices, appliances and point-of-sale (POS) terminals under its brand name other than Blackberry-branded smartphones.
Commenting on the announcement, BlackBerry CEO John Chen said, “We have taken a long-term and thoughtful approach to our licensing strategy which includes an expansive view of the entire Enterprise of Things ecosystem.”
“As part of this strategy, we will work with a wide range of manufacturers to integrate BlackBerry Secure software into both BlackBerry-branded and co-branded devices,” he added.
The company described this development as the next stage of its brand licensing strategy following an agreement with TCL for smartphones last September.
As a part of this arrangement, TCL has already developed three new smartphones with BlackBerry branding namely DTEK60 and KEYone and the BlackBerry KeyOne that is expected to launch in May.
Now, what BlackBerry Ltd. does is to simply provide the end-to-end security and software for smartphones made by its partners. If its plan is successful, it’ll also provide that software for plenty of additional “Enterprise of Things” devices. However, the company hasn’t provided any information on devices that may actually be in development.
