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BlackBerry's new phone

BlackBerry released on Tuesday its second smartphone designed and built externally, the latest development in the company's push away from manufacturing handsets as it focuses more on its security software.

The DTEK60, designed and manufactured by TCL Corp., is an Android-powered device that runs BlackBerry-developed software. Its launch comes three months after the release of its predecessor, the DTEK50, which was the result of BlackBerry's first such partnership with the Chinese firm.

"We want to provide choice to the market," said Alex Thurber, BlackBerry's senior vice-president for global device sales.

The newer phone, which sells for C$650, builds on the less-expensive DTEK50. It boasts a bigger screen, longer battery life and a camera with greater resolution. Like the DTEK50, it has no physical keyboard.

Thurber wouldn't disclose how many DTEK60s BlackBerry is aiming to sell, but said CEO John Chen has been very clear with him "as to how much I need to sell this."

As for the DTEK50, Thurber declined to release how many have been sold since its release in July.

"I'm very happy with how it's selling," he said.



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