Blackphone, the smartphone devised on greater data security following Edward Snowden’s revelations about the US National Security Agency (NSA), is launching its own app store.
Up until now, users of Blackphone – surely attracted to the device’s security profile – were limited in a communications sense to the few default apps found on the device.
But now, with “the biggest update to its customised operating system, PrivatOS, to date”, 2015 is the dawn of a new age for Blackphone.
PrivatOS, a fork to Android 4.4.2 KitKat, strips away as much filler as possible, allowing users make calls, message, store data, operate calendars and browse the internet in as secure a way as possible.
“The addition of Spaces and the Blackphone app store is the most significant update to PrivatOS since its inception and is a real ‘game changer’ for the brand, further highlighting our commitment to placing privacy back into the hands of the user,” said Toby Weir-Jones, CEO of Blackphone.
“We are delighted to have developed the Silent Space, alongside Graphite Software, who share our core values of privacy and security.”
With most smartphones, separating work and play means compromising either privacy or convenience, according to the company. Spaces can separate work life from personal life, a ‘parents only’ space from a kid-friendly one, or any other separation users can dream up – no compromises needed.
Available January 2015, the Blackphone app store features curated apps specifically selected by Blackphone as the most secure privacy-optimised apps on the market. Several preloaded apps will be immediately available with the latest PrivatOS update in early 2015.