The Original 'Smart Phone' Might be Down but is not Out

The use of BlackBerry phones has significantly declined over the years. BlackBerry, once a dominant player in the smartphone market, has seen its market share decrease dramatically due to the rise of iOS and Android devices.

Key Points:

1. Discontinuation of Services:

   - BlackBerry announced that it would discontinue support for BlackBerry OS and BlackBerry 10 devices as of January 4, 2022. This means that classic BlackBerry phones no longer receive updates and support, which affects their functionality .

2. Switch to Android:

   - In an attempt to stay relevant, BlackBerry shifted to Android-based devices. However, these Android BlackBerry phones haven't been able to regain the popularity of the classic BlackBerry models.

3. Security Software and Services:

   - BlackBerry has transitioned from being a hardware company to focusing on cybersecurity software and services. This shift in business strategy reflects the company's recognition of the declining demand for its phones .

4. Consumer Use:

   - While some nostalgic users and businesses with specific security needs may still use BlackBerry phones, their numbers are quite small compared to the dominant smartphone platforms today.

In conclusion, while some people might still use BlackBerry phones, their usage is very limited, and the company has largely moved away from manufacturing phones to focusing on software and security solutions.