BLACKBERRY fans have been put on red alert, as a number of classic handsets are scheduled to stop working in a matter of days. If you're using one of the affected handsets, you'll need to upgrade to make sure you can continue texting, calling and surfing the internet on your smartphone.
BlackBerry phones will stop working in a few days time - you must upgrade (Image: GETTY)
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BlackBerry has warned phones running its own software will "no longer reliably function" from next week. That's because on January 4, 2022, the former smartphone giant is decommissioning the operating system that it built from the ground-up. Devices running BlackBerry 7.1 or earlier, BlackBerry 10, or the PlayBook tablet operating system will be impacted by the shutdown. As such, if you rely on a device with this software – you could have trouble making phone calls, sending text messages, calling emergency services and accessing data.
To be affected by this change, you'll have to be holding onto an ageing BlackBerry phone that's well past the date that it became eligible for an upgrade.
Devices running BlackBerry 10 will be the most recent phones affected, but this OS first launched back in 2013. While BlackBerry 7.1 and the PlayBook tablet OS debuted in 2011.
BlackBerry originally announced the end-of-support date for its software back in September 2020, and have been reminding its users as the cut-off date now approaches.
In a statement posted onlineat Christmas, BlackBerry shared: "As a reminder, the legacy services for BlackBerry 7.1 OS and earlier, BlackBerry 10 software, BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.1 and earlier versions, will no longer be available after January 4, 2022. As of this date, devices running these legacy services and software through either carrier or Wi-Fi connections will no longer reliably function, including for data, phone calls, SMS and 9-1-1 functionality. We thank our many loyal customers and partners over the years and invite you to learn more about how BlackBerry provides intelligent security software and services to enterprises and governments around the world."
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Thankfully though, if you want to stick with the BlackBerry brand, you can always turn to one of the Android-powered BlackBerry phones.
BlackBerry switched to the Google-made OS in 2015, and devices from then onwards won't be affected by the impending cut-off date. If you have a legacy BlackBerry device, and are looking to backup your data, then you'll need to follow these links...
If you're one of the affected BlackBerry users, and are looking for a new smartphone, then you can take advantage of some money saving deals running right now.
ASDA has boosted the amount of mobile data available with all of its SIM-only deals – without increasing the prices. ASDA doesn't operate its own masts, but leverages Vodafone's network. So, if you can get signal with Vodafone... you'll be fine with ASDA.
You might associate Plusnet with broadband, but the company also has a successful SIM-only business too. For £9 a month, you'll get 20GB of data each month, which should be more than enough for all of your WhatsApp messages, Instagram refreshes, and more. You'll get unlimited minutes and texts too. The contract is 30-days, so you can switch to another deal at the drop of a hat too!
Three has slashed the price of its totally unlimited 5G SIM-Only plan. If you're looking to get the most out of your existing smartphone, this is the SIM to do it. With unlimited downloads at superfast 5G speeds, unlimited text messages and unlimited calls for just £10 a month. That lower monthly cost will last for the first six months, before the SIM reverts to £20 a month
Although 12GB might seem a little modest in a list of SIM-only deals with multiple networks offering unlimited caps, Sky Mobile has a trick up its sleeve. Any unused data is rolled into the next month's allowance, so you can quickly rack up a hefty bank of 5G ready for when you're away from the home and work Wi-Fi networks. Better yet, streaming shows, movies and sports on the Sky Go app doesn't count towards your allowance – so you can binge all you want on the train!
For just £1 a month more than the Sky Mobile deal above, you'll get an incredible 36GB of mobile data to chomp through every month. With that kind of allowance, you won't need to worry about running out of 5G, even if you stream all of your music, and watch a few Netflix movies away from your home Wi-Fi. There's also unlimited calls and texts.
If you haven't heard of SMARTY mobile, this network is owned by Three and uses the same 4G and 5G masts. So, if you can get a strong Three signal in your area... you'll be fine with SMARTY. Better yet, this plan is a rolling monthly contract, so you can leave within four weeks if you spot a better deal elsewhere.
EE is offering a SIM with 150GB of data for £20 per month. This deal includes full access to 5G, enabling users with a 5G-compatible handset to download at speeds in excess of 300Mbps. That's four times faster than the average UK home broadband speed!
If you have a 5G-compatible handset, you'll want a SIM like this tucked inside to get the most from your device. As part of its ongoing Christmas sale, Vodafone is offering 160GB of 5G data speeds for £20 a month. Even better, there's also unlimited text messages and calls too
Although you won't enjoy any extra mobile data from this bundle compared to market-leader EE, you will get a free six-month subscription to Disney+. This incredible Netflix rival includes every Star Wars film, every episode of The Simpsons, every entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and all of the animated Walt Disney Animation classics. You'll also get unlimited calls and texts.
BlackBerry's classic cellphone retires today, the company reminded users Tuesday in a statement. BlackBerry first announced in 2020 that it would decommission its legacy software beginning Jan. 4, meaning classic BlackBerry devices would no longer function beyond that date.
No longer making phones, the beleaguered brand soldiers on
By late 2013, BlackBerry boasted 85 million subscribers. But in 2017, that number plummeted to around 11 million and, in January 2022, BlackBerry phones were “decommissioned” — the Canadian company's polite way of saying the phones are officially useless.
As part of an “end of life” decommissioning program that was initially announced in 2020, BlackBerry said that as of Jan. 4, 2022, it would no longer support the devices as the Canadian company completes its yearslong shift from making mobile phones to a software-based business model.
The decommissioning will not impact BlackBerry phones running on Android software, but means devices running the company's legacy services and software through either carrier or Wi-Fi connections will no longer have reliable data, phone call, text message and 9-1-1 functionality.
Fast track to 2023 and the company has stopped supporting its operating system on older models. This means some old version will be obsolete. The company has however opted for business to business as opposed to business to consumer as it now targets executives. Blackberry was famous for it's QWERTY keyboard.
BlackBerry phones are still worth a fair bit of money. The price of your old BlackBerry can vary, depending on the market conditions at the time of selling.
BlackBerry phones are officially defunct and are physically unable to function. In January 2022, BlackBerry Limited CEO John Chen confirmed that the infrastructure — operating system, software, and services — of the BlackBerry, which had been around for two decades, was being decommissioned.
They could have: 1. Been willing to embrace new hardware formats. Although the full QWERTY keyboard had become a key function of Blackberry's market uniqueness, the point stands that the company waited far too long to release a touch screen device.
Things took a turn for the worst, OnwardMobility, the company currently responsible for the BlackBerry brand, announced that it will not be reviving BlackBerry phones in any form.
In February 2020, BlackBerry announced that its licensing deal with TCL signed in 2016 for selling BlackBerry-branded phones had ended. In simpler terms, it meant starting Aug. 31 of 2020, no more BlackBerry phones would arrive in the market. And that continues to be the status quo to date.
On January 4, 2022, devices running on these service offerings through either carrier or Wi-Fi connections will no longer reliably function, including for data, phone calls, SMS and 9-1-1 functionality.
The following devices will not be impacted - BlackBerry Motion, BlackBerry DTEK 50, BlackBerry Priv, BlackBerry KeyOne, BlackBerry Key2, and BlackBerry Key2 LE.
In a post on its website the company confirmed "it is with great sadness that we announce that OnwardMobility will be shutting down", and said "we will no longer be proceeding with the development of an ultra-secure smartphone with a physical keyboard". So dream of a new Blackberry 5G are dead... for now.
Introduction: My name is Arielle Torp, I am a comfortable, kind, zealous, lovely, jolly, colorful, adventurous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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