BlackBerry launches BlackBerry Classic smartphone featuring QWERTY keyboard

"We listened closely to our customers' feedback to ensure we are delivering the technologies to power them through their day,' says CEO John Chen

BlackBerry has revealed the BlackBerry Classic, a smartphone featuring both a QWERTY keyboard and a touch screen that the Canadian firm says is designed for the business user.

While BlackBerry was once the undisputed champion of mobile phones for business users, the rise of Apple iPhones and Google Android devices has seen the firm's share in the market collapse to just a tiny fraction of what it once was.

However, BlackBerry states that the new device has been brought to the market due to customer demand and is built around the BlackBerry 10 operating system.

Like BlackBerry smartphones of the past, it provides users with a keyboard and a trackpad, but combines them with a 3.5-inch, square shaped touch screen display.

"We listened closely to our customers' feedback to ensure we are delivering the technologies to power them through their day - and that feedback led directly to the development of BlackBerry Classic," said John Chen, Executive Chairman and CEO at BlackBerry, commenting on the launch of the device.

"BlackBerry Classic is the powerful communications tool that many BlackBerry Bold and Curve users have been waiting for. It's the secure device that feels familiar in their hands, with the added performance and agility they need to be competitive in today's busy world," he added.

The BlackBerry Classic is scheduled for a UK release in mid-January, with an advertised price of £349.

But unlike previous BlackBerry QWERTY phones, users of the BlackBerry Classic won't be restricted to only purchasing applications from the BlackBerry World storefront,, they'll also be able to install and use Android applications through the Amazon App Store.

Meanwhile, it was revealed last month that BlackBerry's own MDM service will be made available for Samsung devices

The BlackBerry Classic also comes pre-loaded with BlackBerry Assistant, a voice operated management tool similar to Siri on iPhone or Cortana on Microsoft Windows smartphones. BlackBerry state that every aspect of the Classic is designed to allow business users to be as efficient as possible.

"This device underscores our commitment to helping BlackBerry users be at their most productive and respond to the demands of business from anywhere, at any time," said Chen.

"By bringing back the trusted functionalities, incorporating our latest operating system and building a speedier browser, our users can feel confident they are using the best communications tool out there," he added.

Speaking last month, Chen revealed that he believes the worst is behind BlackBerry.

"Once we turn this company to profitability again, I will do everything I can to never lose money ever again," he said "That is definitely something I am very focused on doing."