BlackBerry has announced that their inaugural Android-based smartphone, the BlackBerry Priv, will no longer be receiving regular Google security patches.

BlackBerry’s first Android-based smartphone was introduced in late 2015 running Android 5.1 Lollipop, with the promise of combining a large, high-resolution OLED panel with a hardware keyboard, a high-capacity battery, and regular security patching for two years. Since then, BlackBerry has delivered on this promise, with the BlackBerry Priv frequently receiving its security patches close to the start of the month alongside the Google Pixel and Google Nexus devices. This is the sort of software support that much of the industry would do well to emulate. You can keep updated with software updates here.

Interestingly for BlackBerry Priv customers, the company explained that it will work with its industry partners to develop and deliver necessary patches, “should a critical vulnerability be exposed.” Although BlackBerry did not elaborate, this is likely to include issues such as the recently discovered Wi-Fi flaw, called KRACK. This is good news for people still using their BlackBerry Priv and it’s something that few, if any, other manufacturers promise.

The BlackBerry Priv has proven to be an interesting device for BlackBerry. It was released running Android 5.1 Lollipop, already a version out of date at the time. The device was updated to Android 6.0 Marshmallow but was not progressed to Android 7.0 Nougat or later. Whilst BlackBerry has maintained a secure operating system, some customers have felt frustrated that the Priv has not been updated to a newer version of the platform. Still, for customers interested in upgrading to a newer BlackBerry handset, the company is “thrilled to announce” it is working on a trade-up program in conjunction with BlackBerry Mobile, which could see existing BlackBerry customers spending less in order to use the newer BlackBerry KEYone or BlackBerry Motion.

SOURCE [BlackBerry]