Now official that just about every one of these devices will be an Alcatel design I suppose
http://crackberry.com/blackberry-and...licensing-deal
BlackBerry and TCL have now officially announced they have entered a long-term licensing agreement wherein BlackBerry will license its security software and service suite, as well as related brand assets to TCL Communication who will design, manufacture, sell and provide customer support for BlackBerry-branded mobile devices. Additionally, TCL will manage all sales and distribution and serve as a global distributor of new BlackBerry-branded mobile devices along with dedicated sales teams.
At TCL Communication, we are committed to creating the best portfolio solutions, while ensuring the quality support to consumers and enterprise users who trust the integrity of the BlackBerry device and the brand's security leadership, coupled with the Android platform, said Nicolas Zibell, CEO of TCL Communication. Together with BlackBerry's smartphone software platform, this partnership will strengthen our position in the global mobile market.
Ralph Pini, Chief Operating Officer and General Manager of Mobility Solutions at BlackBerry noted:
TCL Communication is the natural choice to license BlackBerry's software and brand on a global scale. We successfully partnered with them on the DTEK series of secure smartphones and we've been impressed with their excellence in hardware design, development and manufacturing. With our unparalleled expertise in mobile security and software and TCL Communication's vast global reach and consumer access, we are confident that BlackBerry-branded products developed and distributed by TCL Communication will address the needs of BlackBerry users and expand the availability of BlackBerry Secure products throughout the world.
While the deal signed is a global deal, there are a few exceptions where TCL will not be the distributor of BlackBerry-branded devices: India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh and Indonesia are among those listed. This is the first global deal after BlackBerry recently signed a major software licensing deal with Joint Venture PT BB Merah Putih.