BlackBerry Reassures Customers in Open Letter: 'You Can Continue to Count on Us'

Oct. 14, 2013 — -- BlackBerry has had a heck of a few weeks.

It has reported a $1 billion quarterly loss, that 40 percent of its workforce will be laid off before the end of the year and its much anticipated BBM app for iPhone and Android was delayed. On top of that, there have been reports that Apple and Motorola have been snatching up its best employees and engineers and that two of the BlackBerry founders are looking to buy the company back.

But the company now has a public message for its fans, customers and partners who have been following the bad news: You can continue to "count on" the company. In a letter that will be published on Tuesday morning in over 30 publications across nine countries, the company has set out to reassure people that the company will survive the "challenging times."

"To our valued customers, partners and fans, you've no doubt seen the headlines about BlackBerry," the letter opens. "You're probably wondering what they mean for you as one of the tens of millions of users who count on BlackBerry every single day. We have one important message for you: You can continue to count on BlackBerry."

The full text of the letter can be read here.

The letter, signed the BlackBerry team, states that the company has "substantial cash on hand," "a balance sheet that is debt free," and that the restructuring or layoffs will streamline the organization. The brunt of the letter promotes the company's latest BlackBerry 10 devices, stating that they still provide the best security and mobile typing experience.

While the letter states that its BBM app for Android and iPhone is coming, it does not state a release date. The launch of the app was postponed last month after a version of it leaked out and disrupted the company's roll out process.

The message of the letter is surely meant to assure those with BlackBerry devices that the organization will continue to function, despite the turbulent times and still uncertain outcome.

"You trust your BlackBerry to deliver your most important messages, so trust us when we deliver one of our own: You can continue to count on us," the letter concludes.