Blackberry unveils Q5 handset targeted at emerging markets - BBC News

14 May 2013 Last updated at 10:23 ET The Q5 is being offered in red and pink colours as well as black and white options Blackberry has announced the first smartphone running its new operating system to be targeted at emerging markets. The Q5 features a physical Qwerty keyboard and a 3.1in (7.9cm) touchscreen. It was unveiled at a developers' event in Orlando, Florida. The Blackberry 10 device will be released in parts of Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America in July. It should be cheaper than the Z10 and Q10 which were unveiled in January. However, the firm has yet to confirm pricing. "We understand the importance of having devices to suit all markets and needs," said chief executive Thorsten Heins. "It's a sleek, slim high-performance device." One company watcher said it was important for the Canadian company to have a device running BB10 on sale in parts of the world where its handsets were still bestsellers. "The Q5 could be a very significant device for the company because there is a significant opportunity for high-quality low-cost smartphones," said Adam Leach, devices analyst at telecoms consultancy Ovum. "If Blackberry can replicate the success of the Blackberry Curve in emerging markets then it will certainly help establish the Blackberry 10 platform. "However, Blackberry has significant competition in this area with low-cost Android devices and with Nokia's Asha 501 which sells for just under $100 [£65]. It will be crucial to see if Blackberry can match or undercut that." According to data from IDC, Blackberry devices accounted for just over 19% of global smartphone shipments at the start of 2010. But the consultancy suggests that figure had dropped to less than 4% by the end of last year. Blackberry has yet to release sales figures for its first BB10 devices. via Technology - Google News http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNEctt4gLHq-fheeGy0OTXxsdulfNg&url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-22529074

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