• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
BlackBerry

U.S. Senate to Drop BlackBerry in Favor of iPhone, Android Devices

Barb Darrow
By
Barb Darrow
Barb Darrow
Down Arrow Button Icon
Barb Darrow
By
Barb Darrow
Barb Darrow
Down Arrow Button Icon
July 5, 2016, 8:48 AM ET
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (2
Photograph by Saul Loeb—AFP/Getty Images

Updated from 8:59 a.m.

Update: A BlackBerry spokesperson said the company has stopped making only the BlackBerry Classic model, but continues to sell other BlackBerry 10 smartphones in most markets. Customers should check with their carriers for availability. BlackBerry also offers Android-based smartphones.

In another blow to what was once the mobile device of choice for the security obsessed, the U.S. Senate will stop handing out BlackBerry mobile devices to it staffers.

The Senate’s mobile communications services unit told administrative staff last week that it has some 600 BlackBerry devices left in stock, but once they’re gone, they’re gone and staffers will have to move on.

Instead staffers will be offered select iPhone or Android devices, according to a memo obtained by political blog Bomble.com and Politico last week. The reason? BlackBerry (the company) discontinued production of several BlackBerry 10 devices.

From the memo sent out to Senate staff and obtained by Bomble, offices can migrate to Samsung (SSNLF) S6 Android or Apple (APPL) iPhone SE devices via Verizon (VZ).

Get Data Sheet, Fortune’s technology newsletter.

Few under the age of 40 probably remember how dominant BlackBerry (BBRY) devices were among corporate users. BlackBerry was the device of choice for IT departments because its service was viewed as much more secure than what was offered with young up-and-coming iPhone and Android phones. BlackBerry’s dominance among the political elite was signified by the famous picture of then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton wearing dark glasses and typing away on her BlackBerry.

BlackBerry Breaks Even in Q1

But the “bring your own device” (BYOD) wave that swelled over the past decade as CEOs and other top executives started insisting on using their personal iPhones and Android devices for work helped spell the end to that corporate dominance. Well-built, and enterprise-focused, BlackBerry devices still have their fans.

As Politico pointed out, BlackBerry was the only messaging service that kept on working when a 2011 earthquake near Washington, D.C., took down every other messaging service.

For more on smartphones, watch this video:

The Senate was one of the last bastions for Blackberry devices. Adherents still cite the long battery life, secure email, and keyboards as key selling points.

Late last month, BlackBerry chief executive John Chen vowed to make the company’s device business profitable again.

 

 

About the Author
Barb Darrow
By Barb Darrow
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • Future 50
  • World’s Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
About Us
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
Fortune Secondary Logo
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in

PoliticsColleges and Universities
Pentagon chief blocks officers from Ivy League schools and other top universities, including partners on AI and space
By Jason MaFebruary 28, 2026
5 minutes ago
Middle EastIran
Trump calls death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei the ‘single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their Country’
By Jon Gambrell, Konstantin Toropin, Josh Boak, Aamer Madhani and The Associated PressFebruary 28, 2026
2 hours ago
Middle EastDubai
Dubai’s worst nightmare unfolds as Iran strikes Gulf neighbors
By Dana Khraiche, Fiona MacDonald and BloombergFebruary 28, 2026
2 hours ago
Middle EastFBI
FBI raises terrorism alert over fears of retaliation by Iran
By Myles Miller and BloombergFebruary 28, 2026
2 hours ago
Middle EastIran
Iran’s missile barrage tests whether U.S. has enough interceptors
By Gerry Doyle and BloombergFebruary 28, 2026
2 hours ago
Middle EastIran
Israel seeks Iran’s decapitation while U.S. hits military targets as Trump backs report of Supreme Leader Khamenei’s death
By Jason MaFebruary 28, 2026
3 hours ago

Most Popular

placeholder alt text
Success
Japanese companies are paying older workers to sit by a window and do nothing—while Western CEOs demand super-AI productivity just to keep your job
By Orianna Rosa RoyleFebruary 27, 2026
1 day ago
placeholder alt text
Success
Walmart exec says U.S. workforces needs to take inspiration from China where ‘5 year-olds are learning DeepSeek’
By Preston ForeFebruary 27, 2026
2 days ago
placeholder alt text
AI
The week the AI scare turned real and America realized maybe it isn't ready for what's coming
By Nick LichtenbergFebruary 28, 2026
14 hours ago
placeholder alt text
Middle East
Iran is now on 'death ground' amid existential threat from U.S. attacks and could 'go big' in retaliation, former NATO commander warns
By Jason MaFebruary 28, 2026
7 hours ago
placeholder alt text
Personal Finance
Current price of gold as of February 27, 2026
By Danny BakstFebruary 27, 2026
1 day ago
placeholder alt text
Law
China's government intervenes to show Michigan scientists were carrying worms, not biological materials
By Ed White and The Associated PressFebruary 26, 2026
2 days ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.