BlackBerry Unveils Passport Smartphone

BlackBerry's newest smartphone took centre stage Wednesday during a
global launch event widely seen as the company's latest attempt to
regain declining market share.

The Waterloo, Ont.-based company officially unveiled the BlackBerry
Passport - a large square-shaped smartphone aimed at business
users- during simultaneous events in Toronto, London and Dubai.

The Passport's design stands out; the square device is about the size
of a Canadian passport, as demonstrated by CEO John Chen during the
keynote speech, and features a 4.5-inch HD screen. The wider screen
fits 60 characters on each line - more than the new iPhone 6 Plus and
Samsung's Galaxy Note line, which fit around 40.

The device also features the company's famous QWERTY keyboard, but
with a modern twist.

The phone's keyboard is now touch-enabled, which allows the user to
scroll and navigate their device on the keyboard itself.

Similar to Android devices and Apple's new predictive text feature,
word suggestions pop up on the on-screen extension of the keyboard.
Users can simply swipe up to select suggestions.

According to BlackBerry, tests showed that users were four times more
accurate when using the touch-enabled keyboard than on previous
devices.

But releasing a business-oriented device is a strategic move under
Chen's plan to restore BlackBerry's image and regain some of its lost
market share.

Chen said Wednesday's event also provided an opportunity for him to
bring the ailing company back to its roots.

"We are determined to win our home country back," he said.
And there was no shortage of Canadiana.

App demos were related back to Canadian business icons like Tim
Hortons. Even "The Great One" himself, Wayne Gretzky, showed up to
back the device.

But in addition to the fanfare, Chen faced BlackBerry's public
struggles head on.

"We have been through trying times," he said. "[But] I am sure we are
on our way back."

The company is also scheduled to report its second-quarter financial
results on Friday.

The BlackBerry Passport is available starting Wednesday for $699
without a contract. Telus is offering the device for $200 on a
two-year contract until Sept. 30 and Bell customers can pre-order the
device now for $299 on a two-year contract.