It starts just like most other smartphones, with a setup guide.
First, you need to set up a password. Nothing unusual for a security-oriented phone.
The phone comes with a privacy-oriented fork of Android, called PrivatOS, and several privacy-oriented apps.
The Blackphone rep tells us the value of the apps you get with the device exceeds $700 if bought separately.
The apps that come with the phone let you chat, send messages and share data securely, using end-to-end encryption.
The device also has a security guide, telling you how to keep your data private.
You can block any app on the phone from accessing your data or certain features, such as location-based services.
The options for setting up permissions for various apps are very extensive.
You can even choose whether you want an app to know your precise location or coarse location.
BARCELONA, Spain — Besides wearables and cheap phones, another topic that got a great deal of mention at this year's Mobile World Congress was privacy. We've taken a close look at the Blackphone, an Android smartphone that does a lot to make sure your data doesn't end up in the wrong hands.
The Blackphone, which was initally touted as "NSA-proof," is available for order now for $629, though the shipping date in June 2014 is not exactly round the corner. It was thus not surprising that the device that we saw at the MWC was a prototype, though in the short time we've spent with it, we did not notice any quirks or bugs.
See also: MWC 2014: The Future Is Cheaper, Wearable and Invisibly Secure
The hardware of the phone, though the specs are good, is not that important. The Blackphone revolves around PrivatOS — a special, privacy-oriented version of Android — and a suite of security and privacy apps integrated into the device. Check out our tour of the phone's initial setup and some of its security features in the gallery above.
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The Blackphone, seen here in Barcelona, Spain, uses some of the most advanced privacy security on the consumer smartphone market, but it's not exactly NSA-proof as has been claimed.
Opera unveiled a new mobile browser, which claims to reduce bandwidth usage on your android phone.
Samsung unveiled the Galaxy S5, which sports a fingerprint scanner and water-resistant casing.
In addition to the Gear 2 and the Gear 2 Neo, Samsung unveiled the Gear Fit. The company's third wearable of Mobile World Congress is lighter than its companions and sports a 1.84 AMOLED curved touchscreen with a 432x128 pixel resolution.
Mark Zuckerberg spoke on the future of WhatsApp and Facebook's plans for Internet.org at the Mobile World Congress Keynote.
Asked about future plans to pursue Snapchat, Zuckerberg joked that he was done purchasing companies for a while.
The dual-screen YotaPhone features a rear-facing e-ink display in addition to the main LCD.
Nokia unveiled the newest addition to its Asha line, the 230. This tiny budget Windows phone updates both the Asha line's hardware and software.
Nymi is a wearable bracelet that reads the user's heart rate to authenticate identity.
Samsung's new smartwatch drops the "Galaxy" moniker in favor of some added features: a heart-rate sensor and an IR blaster to control your TV among others.
Originally unveiled at CES 2014, Sony's SmartBand SWR10 features Lifelog, a 24 hour comprehensive tracking system.
ZTE introduced a line of Firefox smartphones, including the Open C.
ZTE introduced a flagship smartphone, the Grand Memo II.
Alcatel introduced the One Touch Idol 2, an Android 4.3 (Kit Kat) smartphone with a 5-inch display.
Alcatel introduced the Idol 2 mini in a range of bright colors.
LG introduced the G Pro 2 on Sunday, a device designed to give phablet lovers a significant performance upgrade. Complete with a 5.9-inch HD IPS display and a 13-megapixel camera with OIS+ (Optical Image Stabilizer Plus) it is powered by a 2.26GHz quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor and comes in Silver, White and Titan.
LG also introduced the G2 mini, a device the company is calling its first "compact smartphone." The screen measures just 4.7 inches and comes with either a 1.7GHz or 1.2GHz quad-core processor and a 13-megapixel or 8-megapixel camera capable of shooting 4K video.
Nokia unveiled the Nokia X, a budget-model Android phone priced at 89 euros (roughly $120).
Sony unveiled the Xperia Z2, the company's new flagship smartphone, a mere four months after introducing Xperia Z1 and one year after launching the first phone in the series, the Xperia Z.
Sony also decided to upgrade its mid-range smartphone offering with the Xperia M2.
Sony introduced the 10.1-inch Xperia Z2 Tablet with an ultra-thin, waterproof case.