Blackberry is preparing to launch its first phone running Android - and it has a hidden keyboard.

As the firm today reported weaker-than-expected quarterly results but forecast higher revenue, it confirmed the plan to launch its first Android phone.

Called Priv, it features a slide out keyboard.

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As the firm today reported weaker-than-expected quarterly results but forecast higher revenue, it confirmed the plan to launch its first Android phone.

RUMOURED SPECS The Priv handset is expected to have a 5.4- or 5.6-inch 1440p display Snapdragon 808 processor 3GB of RAM, 32GB of storage 18MP rear camera, and 5MP front camera Advertisement

'Today, I am confirming our plans to launch Priv, an Android device named after BlackBerry's heritage and core mission of protecting our customers' privacy,' Chief Executive Officer John Chen said.

'Priv combines the best of BlackBerry security and productivity with the expansive mobile application ecosystem available on the Android platform.'

'This phone is the answer for former BlackBerry users who miss the physical keyboard but also need apps,'

The company could jettison its own platform if the Android device gains acceptance with its core base of government and financial industry clients, Chen added.

With PRIV, our commitment is to continue to provide confidence that your privacy and productivity come first,' Chen wrote on the firm's website.

'In today’s hectic world where cyber threats are real for everyone, BlackBerry is making sure that our products invoke this mantra that your privacy is your privilege.

Many believe the handset could be the company's last attempt to revive itself following disastrous sales of its own BB10 touchscreen handsets.

The Waterloo, Ontario-based company, which is pursuing a turnaround plan based on selling more software, said it expected modest revenue growth in the remaining two quarters of this fiscal year, after nine quarters of falling sales, and a return to profitability in the fourth quarter.

BlackBerry shares, which fell as much as 8 percent before the morning bell, were down 2.7 percent at $6.84 in morning Nasdaq trading.

The phone looks similar to Samsungs's Galaxy S6 Edge, with curved sides. Believed to be codenamed Venice, it will be Blackberry's first Android phone.

'What they said on the call, speaking more about the outlook as opposed to the results itself, painted a less bleak picture,' said Cormark analyst Richard Tse.

BlackBerry, whose smartphone market share has dwindled, said earlier this month that it would buy rival mobile software maker Good Technology for $425 million.

It expects the deal to help win new clients for its services business, a priority as it shifts its focus to device management software for enterprise customers.

Still, analysts noted revenue growth from the software arm was weak.

'I'm happy to give them credit for patent licensing, but that's not what we're talking about in terms of high-value recurring revenue,' said CIBC analyst Todd Coupland.

Excluding restructuring charges, a non-cash credit tied to the value of debentures and other one-time items, the company reported a loss of 13 cents a share for the second quarter ended on Aug. 29.

The company could jettison its own platform if the Android device gains acceptance with its core base of government and financial industry clients.

On that basis, analysts polled by Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S had, on average, forecast a loss of 9 cents.

Revenue fell 46.5 percent to $490 million, well below the analysts' average estimate of $610.6 million.

Net income was $51 million, compared with $68 million in the prior quarter and a year-earlier loss of $207 million.

According to Evan Blass, who has posted images and is well known for leaks of new handsets, it will be launched on AT&T and is codenamed Venice - although will be called Priv when it launches.

Earlier this year it was revealed BlackBerry is considering building a phone with Google's Android software for the first time.

The move is seen as an acknowledgement that its revamped line of devices has failed to win mass appeal, according to four sources familiar with the matter.

The handset has a similar 'edge screen' to Samsung's flagship handset, the Galaxy S6 Edge

The move would be an about-face for the Waterloo, Ontario-based company, which had shunned Android in a bet that its BlackBerry 10 line of phones would be able to claw back market share lost to Apple's iPhone and a slew of devices powered by Android.

The sources, who asked not to be named as they have not been authorized to discuss the matter publicly, said the move to use Android is part of BlackBerry's strategy to pivot to focus on software and device management.

BlackBerry, which once dominated smartphone sales, now has a market share of less than 1 percent.

It is not clear whether a move to use Android would spell the end of the company's BlackBerry 10 line of devices that were initially launched to much fanfare in early 2013.

BlackBerry ?@BlackBerry Mar 3 What a Surprise! Ron just pulled out a dual-curved, all-touch display with a Keyboard - yes a slider device! #MWC15

After positive early reviews, the late-to-launch BlackBerry devices haven't competed well with Android or Apple, mainly due to a lack of big name apps.

'We don't comment on rumors and speculation, but we remain committed to the BlackBerry 10 operating system, which provides security and productivity benefits that are unmatched,' said the company in an email.

A Google spokeswoman declined to comment.

BlackBerry Chief Executive John Chen is banking on the company's new device management system, BES12, that allows corporate and government clients to not only manage BlackBerry devices on their internal networks, but also devices powered by Android, Apple's iOS platform and Microsoft Corp's Windows operating system.

One of the hurdles it faces in that transformation is convincing big customers that its device management software works across many different platforms.

Two sources said that by launching an Android-based device of its own, BlackBerry would be sending a signal to skeptics that it is confident that the BES12 system can not only manage, but also secure smartphones and tablets powered by rival operating systems.

BlackBerry will probably use Android on an upcoming slider device that is likely to be released this autumn, two sources said.