BlackBerry may release a smartphone based on Google's Android software for the first time, as it seems that the company's effort to return to the market with its latest devices failed to win mass appeal. BlackBerry will probably use Android on an upcoming slider device that is likely to be released this autumn, two unnamed sources told Reuters. The slider will combine a touch screen with a physical keyboard that users can use if they prefer.

"We don't comment on rumors and speculation, but we remain committed to the BlackBerry 10 operating system, which provides security and productivity benefits that are unmatched," Blackberry said, commenting on the report.

BlackBerry showed off the slider device on stage at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona in March, but it has provided little detail on it since then.

The company is currently offering a few smarphones that are running on its own BlackBerry 10 operating system. Although the devices have received positive reviews, they came out to the market late and they lack of big name apps.

Blackberry has been promoting its new device management system, BES12, that allows corporate and government clients to not only manage BlackBerry devices on their internal networks, but also devices powered by Android, Apple's iOS platform and Windows operating system.

A possible scenario could be the release of device sthat run the Android OS, enhanced with some of the security, productivity and communication features found in BlackBerry 10.