RIP BlackBerry Classics: Phones Will Cease To Function As They Become Obsolete

If you’re one of the few in the world still using a classic BlackBerry, the company has issued a reminder that it will officially discontinue service for its devices on Tuesday, January 4. 

The once-pioneer in the smartphone industry had said in 2020 that it would be axing support for its phone lineup, though the “end of life or termination date” has been scheduled for the start of this year, as per The Independent. 

For those wondering, the company has since transitioned away from phones into a software company that provides “intelligent security software and services to enterprises and governments.”

“As a reminder, the legacy services for BlackBerry 7.1 OS and earlier, BlackBerry 10 software, BlackBerry OS 2.1 and earlier versions, will no longer be available after January 4, 2022,” the statement read. 

According to NBC News, the shutdown will affect even the basic functions of the phones, including “data, phone calls, SMS, and 9-1-1 functionality.” 

As a new year dawns, it’s time to bid goodbye to BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) and the phone’s iconic external keyboard. 

[via The Independent and NBC News, cover image via Hafez Husin / Shutterstock.com]