BlackBerry teams with Samsung for “spy-proof” tablet for Germany

BlackBerry collaborates with Samsung to unveil secure Galaxy Tab S2 with encryption and certification software (Source: Samsung)

BlackBerry Ltd said on Friday that its encryption technology is being used to toughen a “spy-proof” Samsung tablet that is being used by German government agencies dealing with classified information. The device, a Samsung Galaxy Tab S2, includes a security card and encryption and certification software developed by BlackBerry’s Secusmart, which locks down data stored on and transferred from the SecuTABLET, the Canadian company said in a statement.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 features a 9.7-inch QXGA display with a resolution of 2048 x 1536 pixels. Samsung uses Super AMOLED panel with its Galaxy Tab S2 which offers deeper and saturated colours. Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 is powered by an octa-core chipset. The tab comes with 3GB RAM and 32GB storage with expandable storage up to 128GB.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 also comes with Korean company’s security product called Knox.

Canada’s BlackBerry, a smartphone pioneer, has sought to build up its focus on security and productivity software and the management of more popular handsets as it trims its own money-losing phones. BlackBerry has been embracing Android lately with focus on delivering a more secure Android smartphone.

BlackBerry’s first smartphone, Priv was a premium product with flagship specifications and price to match. The device offered state of the art physical keyboard and secure Android experience thanks to DTEK security tool. BlackBerry also announced DTEK 50, its second Android smartphone, which claims to be the most secure smartphone running Google’s mobile operating system.

With the new approach, BlackBerry is getting closer to realising its CEO John Chen’s vision of putting focus on company’s security and encryption service rather than devices. BlackBerry did not disclose the value of the deal with the German agencies. It unveiled its second Android-based handset in July.

(Written with inputs from Reuters)