BLU Products
{{Short description|American mobile phone rebrander}}
{{distinguish|Blu (Italian company)}}
{{for|the fictional company|Team Fortress 2}}
{{Infobox company
| logo = BLU Products Logo.jpg
| founder = Samuel Ohev-Zion
| assets = Net worth: >$2 billion{{cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2013/3/18/4100006/why-blu-products-can-beat-samsung|title=Meet the Tiny, Florida-Based Phone Maker that Thinks It Can Beat Samsung|last1=Pierce|first1=David|date=18 March 2013|website=The Verge|access-date=30 May 2013}}
| key_people = Samuel Ohev-Zion (CEO)
| industry = Consumer electronics
| products = Mobile phones
| production = {{unbulleted list|{{increase}} 15 million units (2014)|4.1 million units (2012)|70,000 units (2009)}}
| operating_income =
| income_year = 2014
| foundation = {{start date and age|2009|8|4}}
| location_city = Doral, Florida
| location_country = United States
| area_served = Americas
| homepage = {{Official URL}}
}}
BLU Products (stylized as BLÜ) is an American company, headquartered in Miami. The name BLU stands for Bold Like Us. BLU rebrands low-cost mobile phones manufactured by Chinese ODMs such as Koobee,{{Cite web|url=http://www.cooseagroup.com/Index/partners.html|title=Coosea Group (Koobee)'s Business Partners|last=|first=|date=|website=Coosea Group (Koobee)}} QiKU,{{Cite web|url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/qiku-shakes-up-the-asian-mobile-market-with-revolutionary-new-smartphones-300133413.html|title=Qiku Shakes Up The Asian Mobile Market With Revolutionary New Smartphones|last=|first=|date=25 August 2015|website=Cision PR Newswire}} Gionee, Doogee and Tinno Mobile.
History
BLU Products, founded by Samuel Ohev-Zion, was the fastest-growing mobile phone provider in the region, announcing its presence at CTIA Wireless 2011.{{Citation needed|date=November 2017}}
BLU products are present throughout Latin America, Central America, the United States, and all of the Caribbean. BLU sold 70,000 units in its first year in 2009, and rapidly became the leading mobile device brand in Latin America, selling 4.1 million units the following year.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2013/3/18/4100006/why-blu-products-can-beat-samsung|title=Meet the tiny, Florida-based phone maker that thinks it can beat Samsung|last=Pierce|first=David|date=18 March 2013|website=The Verge}} In Aruba, Digicel introduced in September 2013 a low-cost BLU Android cellphone for the local market, going for only Afl.9 (approximately US$6) with a post-paid plan.{{cite web|url=http://www.digicelaruba.com/en/phones/view_phone.php?id=7809 |title=Digicel Aruba mobile phone price plan |website=Digicel |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203003550/http://www.digicelaruba.com/en/phones/view_phone.php?id=7809 |archive-date=2013-12-03 }} In May 2017, BLU became the official shirt sponsor of Spanish football club Valencia CF.{{Cite web|url=http://en.valenciacf.com/ver/71473/blu-products-and-valencia-cf-announced-their-new-global-partnership.html|title = BLU}}
=BlackBerry lawsuit=
In August 2016, BlackBerry Limited filed a lawsuit against BLU for allegedly infringing 15 patents.{{cite news|url=https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2016/08/blackberrys-new-round-of-lawsuits-targets-blu-and-android|title=BlackBerry's new round of patent lawsuits targets BLU—and Android|last=Mullin|first=Joe|date=22 August 2016|newspaper=Ars Technica|access-date=18 November 2016}}
=Privacy data collection=
In November 2016, security firm Kryptowire detected pre-loaded remote surveillance software on BLU phones sold online through Amazon and Best Buy.{{Cite web|url=https://arstechnica.com/security/2016/11/chinese-company-installed-secret-backdoor-on-hundreds-of-thousands-of-phones/|title = Chinese company installed secret backdoor on hundreds of thousands of phones|date = 15 November 2016}} In August 2017, Amazon pulled BLU Products from its website over security vulnerabilities that resulted in BLU consumer user data being covertly sent to China.{{Cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2017/08/01/amazon-removes-blu-smartphones/|title=Amazon removes Blu smartphones over 'security concerns'|last=Shah|first=Saqib|date=1 August 2017|website=Engadget}} One month later, Amazon reinstated sales of BLU devices on their website.{{Cite web|url=http://phandroid.com/2017/08/07/blu-returns-amazon/|title=BLU makes its triumphant return to Amazon|date=2017-08-07|website=Phandroid - Android News and Reviews|access-date=2017-08-08}} CNET reported, "[Shanghai Adups Technology] Having access to the command and control channel -- a communications route between your device and a server -- allowed Adups to execute commands as if it's the user, meaning it could also install apps, take screenshots, record the screen, make calls and wipe devices without needing permission."{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/these-cheap-phones-are-costing-you-your-privacy/|title=These cheap phones come at a price -- your privacy|last=NG|first=Alfred|date=26 July 2017|website=CNET}} Even after Adups publicly reported the spyware to be a mistake, kryptowire discovered that the same vulnerability was still being utilized, except in a more covert manner, which was seen as part of a state-sponsored intelligence gathering campaign.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) subsequently investigated the widely reported consumer privacy exploitation that was attributed to BLU. The FTC complaint charged that the "company and its co-owner and President Samuel Ohev-Zion misled consumers by falsely claiming that third parties were only collecting information from Blu user devices required to perform their requested services, and no more".{{Cite web|url=https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/blogs/business-blog/2018/04/lesson-blu-make-right-privacy-security-calls-when-working|title=Lesson of BLU: Make the right privacy, security calls when working with service providers|date=2018-04-30|website=Federal Trade Commission|access-date=2019-02-27}} In April 2018, the FTC disclosed that their agency had reached a settlement with BLU where it alleged that "BLU misled consumers and put their personal data at risk."{{Cite web|url=https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2018/04/mobile-phone-maker-blu-reaches-settlement-ftc-over-deceptive|title=Mobile Phone Maker BLU Reaches Settlement with FTC over Deceptive Privacy and Data Security Claims|date=2018-04-30|website=Federal Trade Commission|access-date=2019-02-27}} A few months later, the FTC officially concluded that BLU "deceived consumers about the disclosure of their personal information"{{Cite web|url=https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2018/09/ftc-gives-final-approval-settlement-phone-maker-blu|title=FTC Gives Final Approval to Settlement with Phone Maker BLU|date=2018-09-10|website=Federal Trade Commission|access-date=2019-02-27}} and believed BLU "violated the Federal Trade Commission Act."{{Cite web|url=https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/cases/172_3025_c4657_blu_decision_and_order_9-10-18.pdf|title=UNITED STATES OF AMERICA BEFORE THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION: In the Matter of BLU PRODUCTS, INC., a corporation; and SAMUEL OHEV-ZION, individually and as owner and President of BLU PRODUCTS, INC.: DECISION AND ORDER DOCKET NO. C-4657|date=2018-09-06|website=Federal Trade Commission|access-date=2019-02-27}} In September 2018, BLU was ordered to be legally bound to specific stipulations to settle their legal misconduct. The settlement with the FTC "prohibited [BLU] from misrepresenting the extent to which they protect the privacy and security of personal information". The FTC required BLU's security practices to be thoroughly and regularly analyzed for the following 20 years by an independent 3rd party security monitoring entity, and mandated that BLU to develop and maintain a "comprehensive security program" designed for both "new and existing" BLU devices.
Due to the hidden spyware, reviewers have advised against BLU phones despite their low prices.{{cite web | url=https://www.androidcentral.com/why-you-should-and-shouldnt-buy-phone-blu | title=Why you should (And shouldn't) buy a phone from BLU | date=26 January 2020 }}{{cite web | url=https://www.consumerreports.org/privacy/what-you-need-to-know-about-phones-secretly-sending-data-china-a6595861299/ | title=What You Need to Know About the Phones That Were Secretly Sending Data to China }}
Products
= Android Devices =
BLU currently produces several lines of Android devices.
| class="wikitable"
|+ !Series !Description |
| BOLD
|Introduced as BLU's Flagship series. These devices include "Flagship" features, like an AMOLED Display and In-Display Fingerprint Scanner. All devices in this category are currently designed and manufactured by Koobee. |
| C
|BLU's low-end series of phones. These phones typically run the Android Go operating system. |
| F
|BLU's line of phones that support the 5G network. Their first 5G phone is the BLU F91 5G which is a Mid-range phone. (2022) |
| G
|BLU's mid-range series of phones. The G Series currently has 28 different models. The G91 Max and G91 Pro are the flagship models of that series. |
| M
|BLU's line of tablets that support the 4G cellular network. |
| S
|The BLU S1, released in September 2017, was BLU's first phone to be compatible with Sprint and other CDMA carriers.{{Cite web |title=Meet the BLU S1 - The First BLU phone for Sprint! |url=https://bestcellular.com/product/blu-s1/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190220004254/https://bestcellular.com/product/blu-s1/ |archive-date=2019-02-20 |access-date=2019-02-19 |website=Best Cellular}}{{Cite news |date=2017-09-07 |title=BLU's S1 leaks on Sprint's site, may be the first BLU phone to come to the network |work=Android Police |url=http://www.androidpolice.com/2017/09/07/blus-s1-leaks-sprints-site-may-first-blu-phone-come-network/ |access-date=2017-11-23}} The S series currently consists of the S91 and the S91 Pro. |
| Studio
|BLU's low-end series of phones. Phones in this series often support 4G HSPA and some, LTE. They are known for durability. Battery life ranges from low to medium depending on the specific model.{{Cite web |title=BLU Products Introduces "STUDIO C Series" Smartphone Lineup, with the Best Performance and Value Available in the Smartphone Marketplace, Bringing Freedom of Choice to Consumers |url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/blu-products-introduces-studio-c-series-smartphone-lineup-with-the-best-performance-and-value-available-in-the-smartphone-marketplace-bringing-freedom-of-choice-to-consumers-270137311.html}} |
| View
|BLU's line of prepaid phones for the TracFone Wireless network. |
= Windows Phones =
Sources:{{Cite web|url=http://www.windowscentral.com/blu-win-hd-lte-and-win-jr-lte-windows-phones-launch-europe-amazon|title = BLU Win HD LTE and Win Jr LTE Windows Phones in Europe|date = 11 August 2015}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/blu-products-expands-windows-phone-collaboration-with-microsoft-by-launching-4g-lte-windows-phones-in-europe-and-india-markets-300126612.html|title=BLU Products expands Windows Phone collaboration with Microsoft by launching 4G LTE Windows Phones in Europe and India Markets|date=11 August 2015|website=PRNewswire|publisher=BLU Products via PRNewswire|access-date=18 November 2016}}
- BLU Win HD{{Cite web|url=http://news.softpedia.com/news/blu-launches-win-hd-lte-and-win-jr-lte-windows-phones-in-india-489006.shtml|title=BLU Launches Win HD LTE and Win JR LTE Windows Phones in India|last=Vasile|first=Cosmin|date=11 August 2015|website=Softpedia}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.gsmarena.com/blu_win_hd-6669.php|title=BLU Win HD|website=GSM Arena}}
- BLU Win JR{{Cite web|url=https://www.gsmarena.com/blu_win_jr-6670.php|title=BLU Win JR|website=GSM Arena}}
= Feature Phones =
BLU's feature phones have the bar or flip form factors.{{Cite web|title = Feature Phones|url = http://www.bluproducts.com/index.php/feature-phones|website = Bluproducts.com|access-date = 2015-10-15}} Similar to their Android devices, BLU produces several series of feature phones.
| class="wikitable"
|+ !Series !Description |
| Click
|The BLU Click adds music controls below the screen. |
| Jenny
|The BLU Jenny TV 2.8 has a retractable antenna and the ability to play analog TV channels through the antenna. |
| Joy
|Phones in this series have bigger buttons as well as a SOS key that is used for emergency contacts. |
| Tank
|Phones in this series typically have a bigger battery compared to the Z/Zoey series. |
| Z/Zoey
|BLU's low-end series of feature phones. They typically offer basic functionality and support 2G or 3G networks. Some phones in this series run the KaiOS software. |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website}}
{{Electronics industry in the United States}}
Category:Companies based in Miami-Dade County, Florida
Category:Mobile phone companies of the United States
Category:Mobile phone manufacturers
Category:Electronics companies established in 2009