While AT&T's exclusive hold on the BlackBerry Priv may have come to a close, the wireless carrier has a new card to play. BlackBerry and AT&T have teamed up to offer buyers of the Android-powered Priv $90 worth in complimentary accessories for taking a chance on the handset.
The Priv — BlackBerry's first Android-based device — launched on AT&T last November, was exclusive to the wireless carrier up until a few months ago. Now, that exclusive relationship between the two has resulted in a deal on some gear to keep the digitally secure device physically protected.
"We're here today to bring you an announcement that's going to make purchasing Priv — our first secure Android smartphone — a whole lot sweeter," says BlackBerry. "With every purchase of a Priv through our valued U.S. carrier partner AT&T, you'll have the opportunity to receive a free Slide-Out Hard Shell Case with Kick Stand and Sync Pod, a total retail value of $90."
The offer will be available until April 15 and BlackBerry warns that there are limited quantities of the kit. After making a qualifying purchase, those wishing to claim their accessories will need to go here and register their handsets before May 16.
After following the link above, the complimentary accessories will appear in the shopping cart and will show up at full price. Registrees will need to enter their Privs' IMEI numbers into the field labeled "Enter a promo code" and click the Apply button.
From there, the prices of the accessories should be zeroed out and all that's left is to tell BlackBerry where to send the products. Registrees don't even have to sign up for a BlackBerry account to claim their accessories.
While the BlackBerry Priv's sales figures haven't been stellar, they've been enough to offer some courage to a company that, after rocketing into prominence on the back of its security infrastructure, has fallen so far that many analysts have been waiting for the day that the company gives up on handsets all together.
Now that the Priv is widely available through the U.S.' top three wireless carriers, it's only a matter of time before the sales figure vindicate BlackBerry's efforts behind the Priv to affirm what the company has been trying to buck.
