from GroupWise. As part of their Internet of Things endeavours, the company announced plans of moving into the shipping industry by adapting the smartphones devices to the communication necessities of freight containers. Other users Eric Schmidt, Executive Chairman of Google from 2001 to 2011, is a longtime BlackBerry user. Although smartphones running Google's Android mobile operating system compete with BlackBerry, Schmidt said in a 2013 interview that he uses a BlackBerry because he prefers its keyboard. The Italian criminal group known as the 'Ndrangheta was reported in February 2009 to have communicated overseas with the Gulf Cartel, a Mexican drug cartel, through the use of the BlackBerry Messenger, since the BBM Texts are "very difficult to intercept". Kim Kardashian was also a BlackBerry user. In 2014, she reportedly said at the Code/Mobile conference that "BlackBerry has my heart and soul. I love it. I'll never get rid of it" and "I have anxiety that I will run out and I won't be able to have a BlackBerry. I'm afraid it will go extinct." Kardashian also admitted to keeping a supply of BlackBerry phones with her because she was loyal to the BlackBerry Bold model. She has since been spotted using an iPhone instead. In popular culture In August 2022, it was announced that a docudrama film about the history of the BlackBerry brand, simply titled BlackBerry, had wrapped production. The film, which has yet to be released, was adapted from the book Losing the Signal: The Untold Story Behind the Extraordinary Rise and Spectacular Fall of BlackBerry and features Jay Baruchel and Glenn Howerton in the principal roles. In September 2022, the rights to the film's distribution in the US were acquired by IFC Films. It is currently planned for a 2023 release date. Marketing BlackBerry paid several celebrities to promote its products, including Alicia Keys, Jessie J and will.i.am. See also BlackBerry Limited (formerly Research in Motion) BlackBerry Mobile Comparison of smartphones Index of articles related to BlackBerry OS List of BlackBerry products QWERTY Science and technology in Canada T9 (predictive text) References Bibliography Research In Motion Reports Fourth Quarter and Year-End Results For Fiscal 2005 Research In Motion Fourth Quarter and 2007 Fiscal Year End Results External links Computer-related introductions in 1999 BlackBerry Limited smartphones Canadian brands C++ software Goods manufactured in Canada Information appliances Personal digital assistants Science and technology in Canada Pager companies