eWEEK content and product recommendations are editorially independent. We may make money when you click on links to our partners. Learn More.
BlackBerry CEO John Chen recently issued a clarification—a “fact check”—for anyone who might be thinking that Google and Samsung’s Knox for Android technology is on par with BlackBerry security.
“While we applaud Google and Samsung for their plans, we don’t think it’s enough for security-minded enterprises. Instead, look to companies that have literally invested three decades into advancing the twin causes of security and productivity,” Chen said in a special “BlackBerry Fact Check” post on the BlackBerry Blog.
“In other words,” Chen’s statement continued, “don’t be dazzled by those who can talk the security talk. Instead, look to the company that has proven repeatedly it can walk the walk.”
The statement was a response to Google’s announcement, at its I/O developer conference June 25, that it will improve Android’s security by, among other things, adopting Samsung’s Knox containerization technology.
Chen also addressed the announcement in a blog post the same day.
“Knox does help to shore up Android’s gaps. Like our BlackBerry Balance, it uses containers to protect confidential work apps and data by segregating them from personal data,” he wrote.
“And while Knox tries to build a fortress upon an insecure foundation,” he continued, “BlackBerry’s entire infrastructure—not just Balance, but every single component—is constructed upon a multi-decade bedrock of mobile management and security expertise.”
BlackBerry launched its Fact Check Portal in late June, explaining in a blog post that, as it’s in the spotlight often, as it undergoes a very public transformation, it needed a place “to hold our competitors accountable for what they say, when what they say is wrong.”
Mark Wilson, senior vice president of marketing for BlackBerry, added that the portal will also “provide evidence that BlackBerry continues to be a leader in mobile” and will “expose any ‘smoke and mirrors’ marketing tactics by competitors.”
A BlackBerry representative told eWEEK that company plans to set straight the facts on any unsubstantiated claims made by competitors in articles, white papers, on social media and in other collateral.
Red Dot Design Award
BlackBerry has won three Red Dot Awards for design, the company announced July 7, making clear that it’s not the only voice speaking up for its accomplishments.
The awards were for the “high design quality” of the BlackBerry Q10, Q5 and Z30 smartphones; they were chosen by an international team of 40 experts who evaluated 4,815 entries from 53 countries on their quality and “innovative strength.”
BlackBerry also received a Red Dot for the Q10 in 2013.
“We pride ourselves on industrial design that is simple and intuitive in functionality, while maintaining iconic and familiar elements such as our keyboard and productivity-based user experience,” Brian Paschke, BlackBerry’s senior industrial designer and head of Portfolio Direction, said in a statement. “We remain focused on being highly detail-oriented in order to deliver modern and high-quality devices.”
BlackBerry has said it will introduce a new flagship smartphone, the Classic, later this year. The smartphone will be a blend of new capabilities and features that long-time BlackBerry users say they like most.