BlackBerry Ltd. once ruled the mobile world with its QWERTY phones and BlackBerry Messaging service. If you weren’t using a BlackBerry device, you just weren’t that cool. Well, at least that’s how I remembered it when the Canadian phone manufacturer was at the top of its game.

But when touchscreen smartphones made their way into consumers’ hands, BlackBerry was at a loss. The once popular handset maker found it hard to compete with the iPhones and Galaxy devices being released by competitors, and over the years, consumers have overlooked what BlackBerry has to offer despite the company releasing a string of alternatives.

For a while it looked like BlackBerry would be sold off to another company or just wither away and die, but since getting a new CEO, the company is still trying its best to turn things around and get back on the top.

What is BlackBerry offering in 2015 to stay relevant? Does the company still have what it takes to get back on top? Is it still banking on its security offerings for enterprise and government use, or have the two sectors moved on like BlackBerry’s other patrons?

P’9983 Graphite

Designed by Porsche Design and BlackBerry, the P’9983 Graphite is a smartphone like no other. It features its signature QWERTY keyboard that uses “crafted glass-like keys with the durability of rigid synthetic material, plus blackened glass and a graphite stainless steel color frame.” It offers a unique PIN that sets you apart from other Porsche Design users; BlackBerry Blend, which allows users to bring messaging and content to their computer; a BlackBerry Hub so you can easily manage all your conversations and notifications in one place; and secure communication and collaboration with BBM.

The device also allows you to download both Android and BlackBerry apps from the BlackBerry World marketplace, runs BlackBerry 10 platform, and operates with a 2100 mAh battery to power the device so it can last you all day. It also features a 1.5GHz dual-core Krait processor; 2GB RAM; 64GB internal storage, which can be expanded using a microSD; and a 3.1-inch square screen with 720×720 pixels.

“The P’9983 Graphite from BlackBerry was built especially for those who strive for success every day. This professional tool will deliver superior productivity, ultimate security and privacy, as well as effective communication and collaboration,” said Ron Louks, president, Devices and Emerging Solutions at BlackBerry.

SecuTABLET

With the introduction of SecuTABLET, BlackBerry is still banking on getting exclusive government contracts to have agencies using its secured devices. SecuTABLET is a device developed by Secusmart GmbH, a company BlackBerry acquired last year, in collaboration with IBM and Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. The tablet promises to secure corporate and government data while still allowing access to consumer apps, such as Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and WhatsApp.

The SecuTABLET is based on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S 10.5. It uses the combination of Secusmart Security Card, microSD card and IBM’s software to make sure sensitive data from secure virtual containers don’t mix with data from personal apps, as well as protects said sensitive data from malware. If the SecuTABLET passes the evaluation of Germany’s Federal Office for Information Security, the tablet will be ready for government use later this year. The SecuTABLET will retail for $2,360, something ordinary consumers won’t be too happy with, but then again, the device is directed at corporations and government agencies.

BlackBerry Leap

BlackBerry is gearing up for the release of Leap this spring 2015. What makes BlackBerry Leap different from its other offerings is that it is an all-touchscreen device, which means the signature QWERTY keyboard is not on it. It features a five-inch display with 1280 x 720 HD resolution and 294 PPI, 8MP rear camera, 2MP front camera, 16GB storage (which is expandable using a microSD to up to 128GB), 2GB RAM, BlackBerry 10, and a 2800 mAh battery that lasts up to 25 hours.

It also features the BlackBerry Hub notification and messaging center, a voice and text personal assistant, BlackBerry Messenger, BlackBerry Blend and other native BlackBerry apps. It is designed for everyday consumers but with enterprise security as it supports encryption. The device has built-in malware protection and offers backup, wipe and restore in case you lose your device or it gets stolen. The BlackBerry Leap will retail for $275.

Image source: blackberry.com