Foreign media commented on BlackBerry's launch of Android phones: It's a self-humiliation

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Foreign media wrote an article commenting on the rumor that BlackBerry will launch an Android phone. The article pointed out that if BlackBerry really releases an Android phone, it will only bring two negative effects: this move is tantamount to admitting that the BlackBerry 10 operating system is not a sustainable platform, which puts loyal developers in a difficult situation; and the Android system cannot save BlackBerry, and it also does not care whether BlackBerry's limited number of loyal supporters will join the Android camp.

It is reported that BlackBerry may launch a slider smartphone with Google's Android system, a QWERTY keyboard and a touch screen, and the device "may be equipped with some features that belong to the BlackBerry 10 operating system patent."

BlackBerry, once a leading smartphone maker, has made various efforts to restore its former glory - launching a self-revolutionary touchscreen phone Storm and a full keyboard phone Classic that pays tribute to the classics. If the above news is true, it is tantamount to officially announcing the failure of BlackBerry's previous strategy.

The move to launch Android smartphones has no substantial benefits for both BlackBerry and Android. Android cannot save BlackBerry, and it does not care whether BlackBerry's limited number of loyal fans will join the Android camp. BlackBerry developers will be affected because they will have to change their development tools.

BlackBerry insists there is no need to completely abandon its latest operating system, BlackBerry 10, telling Reuters in a statement that it "remains committed to BlackBerry 10, which offers the best security and productivity."

BlackBerry is already taking the dual-platform route, with both the square-shaped Passport and the retro-styled Classic able to run Android apps. From this we can infer that BlackBerry will select the best features of the BlackBerry 10 operating system and retain them, and the rest will probably be abandoned.

These retained features may include support for multitasking, BlackBerry Balance (a security feature that separates work and personal applications on the same device) or the messaging service BBM (already available on Android and iOS devices). However, this is pure speculation and it is too early to finalize it.

If BlackBerry disassembles its operating system, developers who have been sticking with it will be in a precarious situation. In addition to apps that already have Android and iOS versions, apps developed specifically for the BlackBerry operating system may "not be around for long."

None of these changes make much sense for BlackBerry or Android.

Market research firm IDC points out that Android has 78% of the smartphone market, while BlackBerry has an embarrassing 0.3%. Android doesn't care about these 0.3% of users.

What benefits can BlackBerry get from this? It is hard to say at the moment. With so many mobile devices running Android, BlackBerry's launch of an Android phone may not attract much attention from consumers. However, if the rumors about the phone having both a keyboard and a slider are true, perhaps this phone can attract attention with its "weirdness". But no matter what, it will do more harm than good to BlackBerry's own brand.

It's hard for hybrid Android smartphones to succeed, and a prime example is the Nokia X, a phone that modified the Android operating system and reportedly received 10 million pre-orders in China, but ultimately flopped due to mediocre reviews and waning public interest.

Nokia's attempt at an Android device seems to indicate that it has little confidence in the Windows Phone operating system. Shortly after Microsoft acquired Nokia's mobile business, it announced the termination of the Nokia X series development plan.

Now, Microsoft is improving its mobile operating system, and Windows 10 Mobile has a clear advantage: it is interoperable with computers running Windows 10 and related applications. This advantage is missing from BlackBerry.