Zombie BlackBerry phones will finally die off in early 2022

BlackBerry has announced that many of its classic devices running BlackBerry software will lose access to crucial features in early 2022, effectively spelling the end for the legacy hardware.

The company announced the end of life of features like calling, texting, and data on classic BlackBerry devices — such as those running BlackBerry OS 7.1 or earlier, or OS 10 — will occur on Jan. 4, 2022. Without the ability to call or even text reliably, the devices are pretty much as good as dead.

BlackBerry-branded smartphones that run Android will continue to function normally, however. The end of life only applies to the company's legacy hardware.

This isn't the first time that BlackBerry devices have been declared dead. Back in February 2020, the last major manufacturer of BlackBerry smartphones and tablets announced that it would stop producing the iconic brand. In 2019, BlackBerry shut down its App Store and messaging service.

The BlackBerry brand lives on through third-party licensing. However, whether the devices will make a comeback remains to be seen.

Back in 2020, a Texas company called OnwardMobility said it would release a new 5G Android smartphone with BlackBerry branding in 2021. As of Dec. 31, 2021, that device has yet to be released.

BlackBerry's parent company, BlackBerry Limited, has also moved on to other ventures. Currently, the company sells cybersecurity software and other solutions to enterprise and government customers.

11 Comments

crowley 10431 comments · 15 Years

About 2 years ago

Outrageous that the ability to call and text could be withdrawn. Absolutely no justification for it. There should be regulations that stop companies from pulling this shit.

Anilu_777 577 comments · 8 Years

crowley said:

Outrageous that the ability to call and text could be withdrawn. Absolutely no justification for it. There should be regulations that stop companies from pulling this shit.

It’s a connectivity update that BlackBerrys won’t be getting any more. So when the carriers update their networks the BlackBerrys won’t get a corresponding update from BlackBerry so they still work. Death by a thousand cuts. :’(

fruitstandninja 104 comments · 11 Years

Every time I think about blackberry it reminds me that you can never rest on your laurels. Same with Blockbuster.

[Deleted User] 0 comments · 6 Years

Wait, how is this even possible? Good ole’ 2G phones from back then still work fine in Europe.

sandor 670 comments · 17 Years

AlexMorello said:

Wait, how is this even possible? Good ole’ 2G phones from back then still work fine in Europe.

Europe is mostly is set on a 2025 shut off for 2G & 3G

Here in the US it is happening more quickly & in a stepped approach (2G mostly deactivated already, 3G going offline in 2022)
Some of it is due to radio spectrum management - we have a lot of "wants", but broadcast spectrum is a finite resource.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/enthusiasts/how-the-3g-shutdown-in-2022-could-screw-your-car/ar-AARF1Ri
https://www.toyota.com/audio-multimedia/support/3g-faq/
https://www.digi.com/blog/post/2g-3g-4g-lte-network-shutdown-updatesPlanned obsolescence, forced upgrade paths, etc, etc.
It all applies.

I think, similar to the OTA television upgrade to ATSC, there should be free/low cost hardware to accommodate the shutdown for people who cannot afford it themselves or are disinclined to pay. 235,000 people in the US applied for & got the "coupons" for a digital/analog converter box so they wouldn't be forced to buy a new television.