BARCELONA, SPAIN—Here at Mobile World Congress, Silent Circle and Geeksphone have just announced more details on the Blackphone, a phone focused on security and privacy. "Blackphone" seems to be both a product and a company, as in the company Blackphone will provide updates and support for the product Blackphone. Having been cofounded by Phil Zimmerman, the creator of PGP e-mail encryption, the company has tons of security talent. Blackphone was announced about a month ago, but this is the first time we're getting details on just what the Blackphone is and how it works.

First to be announced were the specs of the Blackphone. The hardware is being built by Geeksphone, and the current specs are a 2GHz quad-core SoC, a 4.7-inch "HD" IPS screen, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of storage, 8MP rear and 1.3MP front cameras, and HSPA+ and LTE connectivity. Blackphone notes that "certain specifications are subject to change" but the Geeksphone CEO said that any change would be "better," and that the goal is to offer a premium phone. At $629 for a contract-free, unlocked phone, the cost is certainly in line with that goal. Blackphone notes that it "does not use proprietary hardware in any way," which will allow it to release source code for "as much of the Blackphone code base as possible.”

While Geeksphone is handling the hardware, Silent Circle is handling the software. The Blackphone runs a Google-less version of Android called "PrivatOS." Besides removing the user-tracking Google parts, most of the Blackphone's security and privacy advantages seem to come from the integration of Silent Circle apps. The suite of apps mentioned at the event were the existing Silent Phone and Silent Text apps, and a new product called "Silent Contacts." Silent Phone and Silent Text encrypt your phone calls, text messages, and file transfers to other users of the apps.

There is also a firewall app called "BPSecurity," which wasn't discussed much, and a remote wipe-and-kill feature. For security and privacy in other areas, the Blackphone comes bundled with apps and subscriptions for third-party services. Private browsing and private search happens through a VPN service from Disconnect, and secure cloud storage is included from SpiderOak.

Almost all of these products require a subscription, but Blackphone includes two years of service for all of these products with the phone. After two years, users will have to pony up for a new subscription or get an updated Blackphone with a new bundle. The Blackphone also comes with three one-year "friends and family" subscriptions for Silent Phone and Silent Text, which require the sender and receiver to have valid subscriptions and to have the apps installed. Blackphone says the phone hardware, apps, and bundled subscriptions add up to a $1,500 value.

Blackphone won't be doing any kind of security-focused app store, and it points out that Android apps (including apps from other app stores) can be sideloaded, though doing so will leave you on your own for privacy and security. The Switzerland-based company wisely doesn't claim to be NSA-proof, but it does say it is more secure and privacy-focused than any other phone manufacturer. Remember that your cell phone carrier is still the weak link between you and true privacy.

We also got to see a single Blackphone at the event. None of the security features were demonstrated, but in terms of it being a phone that you could swipe and poke around on, it worked. Geeksphone hardware isn't made with a cutting-edge ultra-slim construction process, but it seemed acceptable.

The Blackphone will launch in June, and it should work on any GSM carrier worldwide. If you're really anxious to get one, preorders are available now.