Blackberry to release A10 plus two more BB10 handsets before year-end, reports suggest

BlackBerry is reportedly still planning to launch an additional three to four handsets before the close of the year

Not so long ago BlackBerry confirmed it would launch six BlackBerry 10 devices during 2013.  We’ve seen three so far: the BlackBerry Z10, BlackBerry Q10, and the BlackBerry Q5.  

News of the additional three-to-four handsets comes via DigiTimes, which reports that BlackBerry is on track to bring up to four new BB10-powered handsets to market before the close of 2013. 

With the Z10, Q10, Q5, and A10 accounted for, that still leaves two more devices. Could one of the upcoming devices be BlackBerry’s re-imagined and often-rumoured PlayBook 2? 

Not likely.

Speaking at BB World Live 2013, Heins said his company has a unique and altogether simpler plan of attack for the tablet space. One BlackBerry insider told us the company is currently playing around with a ‘dummy tablet’ that wirelessly connects to a BlackBerry 10 smartphone for power – sort of like a futuristic Padfone.

Given BlackBerry’s incessant emphasis on the idea that the platform – BlackBerry 10 – is the key, not the hardware, something like this does make a lot of sense.

BlackBerry’s next big release – the BlackBerry A10 – is expected to be happening in November. Perhaps we’ll also see a more affordable all-touch handset launched alongside it too. A Z10 mini, maybe.

BlackBerry – other than previously claiming it would release six handsets in 2013 – has not commented on any of the rumours surrounding its alleged upcoming phablet device and dummy tablet.