New BlackBerry CEO John Chen used the CES 2014 exhibition as a platform, and so willingly shared with reporters his vision of the near future. It should be noted that in the last couple of days BlackBerry experienced personnel changes. First, the new management company terminated the relationship with the singer Alicia Keys, who managed some time to work in the post creative director. Secondly, the development of BlackBerry devices will now Ron Louks (Ron Louks), who previously held similar positions at HTC and Sony Ericsson.
John Chen confessed in an interview with Computerworld, the next year and a half he was going to dedicate to strengthen the company's position in the corporate sector. Clients trust in the potential of BlackBerry - the main thing is not to lose it. The company is not going to turn away from the consumer market, just for it to develop and produce smartphones will be Foxconn, which was recently signed a five-year cooperation agreement. This year, the partners will release a smartphone brand BlackBerry with a touchscreen, to the end consumer it will cost no more than $ 200. Also, this year will appear a more expensive smartphone with a traditional keyboard - a segment of corporate customers BlackBerry intends to serve their own. Foxconn production of inexpensive devices will be addressed to consumers in emerging markets, where the popularity of the brand BlackBerry is high enough.
Generally, as explains agency Bloomberg, John Chen believes in the potential of smartphones with QWERTY-keyboard.
Note that Chen soon after his appointment as Acting Director General BlackBerry dropped the prefix Acting, and said recently that he would remain at the helm of the company as long as it will not stand on its feet. Assessment of Chen, will take at least 18 months.