BlackBerry is still open to the possibility of licensing its BlackBerry 10 operating system software to third-party manufactures, in a similar vein to Google’s Android platform, according to company chief executive Thorsten Heins.
Reuters reports that Heins spoke at BlackBerry’s annual shareholder meeting where he responded to a question about ‘strategic alternatives’ where licensing of the company’s software and an outright sale of BlackBerry were both put forward as possible options.
Heins made a point about how BlackBerry’s recent efforts have focused on launching its new software and devices carrying it, but wouldn’t rule out that a different approach may be needed in the future.
‘This is a long-term transition for the company, but I can assure you that we’re pushing very hard. BlackBerry will pursue every opportunity to create value for shareholders,’ he said.
Heins has been quite outspoken in the past about BlackBerry 10, previously hinting that a licensing-based approach was something the company would consider. But, likewise, he’s also spoken before about how the company needs to turn BlackBerry 10 into a complete product in order to make it saleable to phone-makers.
Heins also seemed to make a plea, of sorts, to shareholders asking them to give things a bit more time, noting that BlackBerry has made a significant turn-around and implying that it could be set to build successfully on BlackBerry 10 in the next year or so.
‘Before you go into any strategic option, I think you have to create value. And the value of the company 15 months ago was way less than what it is today,’ he said.
The news comes amidst concern from analysts and investors regarding BlackBerry 10 handset sales. The company’s results for the first quarter of availability came in lower than expected.
‘At the meeting, held at BlackBerry's home base in Waterloo, Ontario, Heins conceded that BlackBerry has a tough road ahead as it attempts to turn around its fortunes, but he insisted it was on the right track.,’ reports Reuters.
Heins also revealed that BlackBerry is starting to see signs of market share gain in the premium smartphone market.
by pbriden via Featured Articles
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