With dismal quarterly results and a tumbling share price, it’s hard to believe that Blackberry used to be the must-have device for businessmen around the world.
The first device was sold back in 1999 and by focusing on secure email and other messaging applications, it soon became a hit for politicians and financiers throughout the early 2000s.
But its appeal began to diminish after Apple launched the first iPhoone in 2007 and other rival operating systems such as Android entered the market.
The launch of a series of poorly received products, including its first touchscreen phone in 2008 and BlackBerry 10 devices, hasn’t helped the Canadian handset maker either.
BlackBerry, which is worth around $5bn, lost £54m in its most recent quarter, £65m in the first quarter of the year and predicts to lose more in the three months to the end of September
Consequently, the smartphone maker has had to think over options that include joint ventures, partnerships and a full sale.
BlackBerry board member Timothy Dattels is set to head a new committee that will look at the potential business models.
So far suitors have included the Canada Pension Plan, Fairfax Financial Holdings, Microsoft and China’s Lenevo.
Has it gone out of fashion? Is it time they sold up? Let us know your thoughts.
