In a startling turn, former smartphone rivals BlackBerry and Google announced a partnership last week that might allow BlackBerry to release a phone with the Android operating system later this year.

The partnership could also result in the well-respected security features of BES12, BlackBerry's enterprise device deployment service, being integrated into Android's 5.0 Lollipop build and Google Play for Work.

"Google gets a boost to its security ecosystem (not to mention access to a huge new swath of enterprise customers) and BlackBerry gets an Android-based tourniquet to tie off its cash hemorrhage," the tech site Engadget explained. "But enterprise users are the biggest winners of all. They'll essentially get the same level of security that made BlackBerry the smartphone of choice for world leaders with the massive app library and ubiquitous functionality of the Android OS. What's more, this lends additional credibility to rumors that we may soon see an Android-driven BlackBerry device."

For users of complex healthcare apps that demand high security along with deep functionality, such fortified devices can only be a plus. 

Would an Android-based BlackBerry make you consider the devices?