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Blackberry Confirms New Android-Powered Smartphone, Also Anticipates Modest Growth in Revenue for Remaining Fiscal 2016

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Blackberry Limited, a global leader in mobile communications, has confirmed in a press release that the company will be launching an Android device called Priv.

The company also anticipates a "modest sequential growth" in total revenue in each of the remaining quarters of fiscal 2016.

Blackberry said in the press release that it will be launching its new flagship device called Priv, a slider smartphone that will run on Android.

The new phone will combine the best of the company's security and productivity with the expansive mobile application ecosystem available on Android's platform.

Blackberry also said in the press release that the new device will offer the best-in-class security for its enterprise customers.

This is due to the combination of the company's efforts to support Android for work on the BES12 platform.

John Chen, executive chairman and CEO of Blackberry, said in the press release that the name Priv comes from the company's reputation.

He said that the new phone is "an Android device named after BlackBerry's heritage and core mission of protecting our customers' privacy."

CNET adds that Chen said, in a conference call, that the new phone will be the answer to customers who miss using keyboards.

"It's the answer for former BlackBerry users who miss the physical keyboards but love their apps," he said. He also hyped that Priv would be "the most secure Android device in the market."

Blackberry said in the press release that the device should be available in the market by this calendar year.

The company will be announcing more details about the new phone in the coming weeks.

Blackberry is also anticipating that the remaining quarters for 2016 will provide modest growth in total revenue, according to the press release.

The company is anticipating to have a positive free cash flow and is targeting a sustainable non-GAAP profitability in the fiscal 2016 fourth quarter.

Chen adds in the press release that he is confident in the "strategy and continued progress of the company."

"In order to expand our leadership in cross-platform software and services, we are investing strategically and organically through new products and services based on the BES platform, and through acquisitions like AtHoc and Good," he said.

Maynard Um, an analyst at Wells Fargo, told CNET that the new flagship Priv may provide Blackberry the boost it needs.

He said that the new smartphone may drive modest sequential growth in the company.

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