We saw Sirin Labs’ super-secure $16,000 smartphone, called the Solarin, last May, and it probably didn’t impress anyone. It’s cost is just an overkill for what can be asked for an Android phone with security software plopped on top, while competitors such as BlackBerry have been doing the same thing for a while now at a fraction of the cost. Therefore, the handset didn’t sell very well, leading to today’s news of Sirin Labs killing the device.
According to Business Insider, the Solarin is dead, with a third of the staff who worked on the device being let go. In a statement, Sirin Labs says they’re attempting to restructure their goals and build a new staff in order to enter a new product line.
“Nearly a year after launching Solarin, Sirin Labs is pursuing new directions to a new product line and therefore restructuring its staff,” the statement read.
A separate statement sent to The Verge tells us that the Solarin will continue to be supported for at least another year, while Sirin Labs will “re-hire engineers” to “support the new line of products” that it plans to build. What those new products are remain a mystery, so we’ll have to play the waiting game.
If you were planning on putting nearly $20,000 down on your next smartphone, you’ll have to find another option. I can’t think of anything off the top of my head, but someone’s probably selling an antique Motorola or something for that price.
- SOURCES: Business Insider, The Verge
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