The Blackphone, a secure Android smartphone was teased a bit back in the middle of January. At the time they were talking about showing something during Mobile World Congress, and naturally, we just had to go and check them out. And to clarify, the Blackphone is coming courtesy of Silent Circle, whom we seen with Android apps to include Silent Phone, Silent Text, and Silent Contacts.
Basically, the Blackphone (as a device) is just a further extension of what they have been offering in software form. The Blackphone will contain those apps, amongst others. Some of that other group includes the Blackphone Security Center, Activation Wizard, and Remote Wipe as well as some from third-parties. Simply put, this handset is geared to security and privacy.
Perhaps key for those looking for this type of handset, the whole process is sort of broken down step-by-step and details are offered on just about anything and everything. For example, using Search on a regular handset you are trackable, using PrivatOS you are not. Same goes for the bundled apps, which the former has many and the privacy is often disabled by default. The latter, PrivatOS, has fewer third party apps, but all are privacy enabled.
This sort of pattern continues for WiFi usage, app permissions, communications, updates and more. Keeping with the mention of updates, the Blackphone is promised to get “frequent secure updates” as they move forward. Again, this is all about security and privacy. Software aside, the phone itself is (as the name suggests), black. It has a 4.7-inch IPS LCD display and it is powered by a quad-core 2GHz processor with 2GB of RAM. There is also an 8 megapixel camera on the back.
Anyway, those looking for something with quite a bit more in terms of security and privacy now seem to have a solid option to consider. And lastly, make sure to check the video sitting above, which has Tony Bryant, VP Business Development of Blackphone discussing some of the privacy options included on the handset.
