BlackBerry’s still got it: The Priv may have sold out at Walmart

[Wireless News]

http://l1.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/lXGc_AjMNLKwD529aA5Q3Q--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3NfbGVnbztmaT1maWxsO2g9ODY7cT03NTt3PT EzMA--/http://media.zenfs.com/en-US/homerun/digital_trends_973/9a68ad87bc37f0a67b521b0cc0535d03 (http://news.yahoo.com/blackberry-still-got-priv-may-025146663.html)Unlike JNCOs and beanie babies, it seems smartphone maker-BlackBerry may have-longevity. The embattled Canadian company-surprised pundits-on Friday-when reports emerged-that Walmart had exhausted inventory of BlackBerry’s-first-Android flagship, the Priv, in a single day. The $699 Priv, which was previously only available through AT&T brick-and-mortar locations and Amazon.com, launched in Walmart earlier this week. The retailer’s website-reported-the smartphone “out of stock” by midday today, news which sent BlackBerry’s stock soaring 7 percent. Bloomberg attributed-the demand to both appeal and timing. The holiday season no doubt motivated some shoppers-to pull the trigger early, according to the-report, and the Priv, unlike other recent BlackBerry handsets, runs Android — an arguably more attractive software to potential phone buyers than BlackBerry’s cumbersome, confusing BB10. Related: BlackBerry Priv Review But calls for celebration may be a bit premature. The Priv is showing as “in stock” on Walmart.com as of the time of publication, a possible indication that the initial sell out of devices was of a very small batch. Blackberry’s so far declined to comment. Assuming today’s unprecedented sales weren’t just a quirk of inventory management, though, BlackBerry could be well on its way to meeting the fiscal goals for its-smartphone division that it’s publicly outlined.-In an interview with The Verge, CEO-John Chen pegged the company’s break-even point at 5 million devices-a year, and has repeatedly-expressed a willingness to cut loose-the phone business if it falls short of that benchmark. BlackBerry has its work cut out for it; the company sold a mere 800,000 devices in Q3 of this year. Perhaps in recognition of that stark fact, Blackberry’s working to expand-the Priv’s availability and network. Verizon recently-announced-that it’d offer-the phone “soon.”-And-T-Mobile told CNET in November that it was-“definitely talking with Blackberry”-and “may have something to report” in the coming weeks. In our review of the Priv last month, we called Blackberry’s Android slider relatively high marks for a beautiful display-and excellent keyboard, calling it “the first reason to consider a Blackberry in years.” Also watch: Blackberry Classic - Hands On Please enable Javascript to watch this video



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