BlackBerry Quits Making Phones

(RTTNews) - Succumbing to competition from the latest smartphones, BlackBerry has decided to shut down its phone making business. Once a market leader and a highly preferred phone maker, BlackBerry's products were highly praised for its security features and ergonomic designs.

The handset maker said it would engage partners to outsource all internal hardware development. Announcing the strategic change, BlackBerry chairman and CEO John Chen said it would help reduce capital requirements and enhance return on invested capital.

The company is on a plan for a turnaround. Earlier in September last year, Chen has hinted about the future of the handset division. It was in March 2002, that the tech company Research In Motion or RIM launched BlackBerry 5810 phone, with a black and white screen, that can be used for browsing and accessing e-mail.

Later, introduction of iPhones by Apple and cheap smartphones by Samsung forced out BlackBerry's premium priced phones from the market.