[Hlao-roo]

BlackBerry talks Priv security, privacy, and why Android now | VentureBeat | Mobile | by Emil Protalinski

Venture Beats discusses PRIV's security features in this interview piece with BlackBerry CSO David Kleidermacher. The writer sounds a general note of skepticism throughout, but Kleidermacher gets plenty of "air time" to make his points, which include what Lollipop enabled BlackBerry to do security-wise and the potential use of biometrics in future devices (eyepanning?). As expected, BlackBerry continues to be vague about when Marshmallow might arrive on PRIV.

[Hlao-roo]

Biometrics:

Kleidermacher refused to declare that BlackBerry would never include a fingerprint reader in a future device. He said that relying on a combination of a fingerprint and something else might be a reasonable trade off, adding that “eyepanning” technology shows tremendous promise.

“We are constantly evaluating biometrics in general, and when we feel satisfied that the security strengths, cost, and usability are in a sweet spot, then we would consider putting them into devices. When that will happen, and exactly what type of biometric, remains to be seen still.”

Marshmallow?

Kleidermacher was able to confirm that “work has started” on bringing Marshmallow to the Priv, but couldn’t give a percentage for how much progress has been made. BlackBerry still isn’t even able to commit to a timeline (translation: not this year).