Pre-Registration for the BlackBerry Priv has begun
Are you one of the many Android fans who values high end hardware? Are you interested in a physical keyboard? Well the new BlackBerry Priv features both of those things and is now up for pre-registration on their website.
The Priv is supposed to be released some time this year and now BlackBerry is letting you in on some of the details. On their pre-registration page you can sign up to be notified of all the details when they become available and be one of the first to know when the launch date is set. But let’s face it, due to the leak culture we live in, the exact release date will probably be leaked long before BlackBerry releases it.
Also on the page we’re getting some confirmed specs. The BlackBerry Priv will have a 5.4″ dual curved screen, 3410mAh battery, on screen keyboard as well as a physical slider keyboard, Schneider-Kreuznach certified camera (Schneider-Kreuznach is a company is known partly for its many innovative lens designs) and premium audio quality, although no details were given on exactly what that means.
Also, according to BlackBerry, the Priv will have a DTEK security system to keep your phone safe. We’re going to assume that this is going to be much like Samsung’s Knox that allows personal and business content to exist securely on the same handset. BlackBerry has long been a corporate favorite due to their security features and physical keyboard, and they’re not leaving those folks in the past. Interestingly enough, there’s actually a tab to indicate whether you’re interested in buying 10 or more devices on the sign-up page.
While there will be a big push for business users, interest among Android enthusiasts remains high. For many it will come down to price with some users even going as far as to say that they’ll be cancelling their Nexus 6P pre-orders to pick up a Priv, if the price is right.
Source: BlackBerry
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Pre-registration goes live for the BlackBerry Priv
The BlackBerry Priv is no longer the elusive security-focused handset we once new it to be. It’s been shown off in hands-on images and videos time and time again, and BlackBerry even announced the handset a few weeks ago. Even though we still can’t get our hands on the device, BlackBerry is giving interested consumers a chance to pre-register for the device before the official launch. By pre-registering, you’ll supposedly be one of the first people to know when the Priv becomes available for purchase.
Don’t miss: Blackberry CEO John Chen awkwardly showcases the Blackberry Priv
In addition, thanks to the registration page, we have also been given a few more specs regarding the Priv’s battery and camera. The new BlackBerry slider will come with a big 3410mAh battery, and the camera will also come with a Schneider-Kreuznach certified lens. BlackBerry also says the device will feature a 5.4-inch dual-curved screen, but we already knew that thanks to other previous leaks.
For more information on the Priv, head to the link below to pre-register.
BlackBerry’s Priv slider might use Sony’s IMX230 sensor for the camera
We’re all waiting on BlackBerry’s last-ditch effort at the smartphone market to actually become available, but until then we’re just going to have to work with leaks and rumors about what the company is planning to do with their QWERTY slider phone.
We know BlackBerry is taking the camera seriously, as that’s one of the biggest selling points of smartphones today, whether or not its primarily designed for business or personal use. Some earlier rumors suggested BlackBerry would be shipping the Priv with an 18 megapixel shooter, but now it’s likely that they’ll be using Sony’s IMX230 sensor with a 21 megapixel resolution. This is the same sensor that Motorola’s Moto X Style uses, for those keeping up at home.
There’s still a lot of mystery surrounding this device, and BlackBerry has a lot to lose if it doesn’t end up being a fantastic phone.
source: Ricciolo (Twitter)
via: Phone Arena
Come comment on this article: BlackBerry’s Priv slider might use Sony’s IMX230 sensor for the camera
More images of the BlackBerry Priv surface along with camera samples
BlackBerry’s upcoming Android phone, the Priv, could be the company’s last chance to gets itself back being competitive in hardware. John Chen and others is Waterloo are hoping that combining the company’s strengths in physical keyboards, security, and enterprise with Android’s versatility will go over well with consumers. The Priv is expected to be released in November, but BlackBerry has had to watch the handset appear unofficially multiple times. Now, derStandard has a pre-production unit (with potentially unfinished hardware and software) to show the world more of the Priv.
The physical keyboard appears by pushing up on the display and derStandard notes that the process supplies a “very sturdy impression.” However, the small gap between the display and the physical keyboard allows dust, dirt, and other things to sneak in.
What actually using the physical keyboard is like:
The keyboard, however, has its ups and downs. Since the keys are arranged like little scales, its easy to distinguish them by touch. But Since they are pretty small and already trigger under light pressure, it might take a good while to get used to them and be more efficient than with an onscreen solution.
The review unit was equipped with a QWERTY layout, which is used mostly in English speaking countries. Depending on the markets which Blackberry wants to cover, you can expect the company to produce variants with layouts for other regions.
Due to the size of the display and the large chin at the bottom of the Priv, one-handed use is apparently very difficult to achieve comfortably. Either you’re going to need two hands or a really tight grip with one hand. Fortunately, the materials used to compose the body of the Priv are said to make it very easy to grip. The Priv may not feel premium but the rubber (which includes kevlar) feels decent, according to the source.
derStandard went over the specifications:
- 5.4-inch Quad HD (2560×1440) display with curved edges
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 processor
- 3GB of RAM
- 32GB of internal storage (with microSD card slot)
- 18MP / 5MP cameras
- Android 5.1 Lollipop
- Slide-out physical keyboard
Performance monitored by AnTuTu positions the Priv alongside the HTC One (M8) and OnePlus One from 2014. Stuttering is occasional and that could be because this is an unfinished unit without any optimization.
Aside from Google apps being pre-installed, BlackBerry designed its own alternatives. For example, BlackBerry has its own contacts app and designed a new on-screen keyboard.
BlackBerry will also allow those with Android and iOS devices to move over to the Priv with ease:
When setting up the priv you can import user data from iPhones, other Android devices as well as from Blackberry OS phones (version 5.0+). Blackberry has preinstalled some own apps, like the Blackberry messenger for secure communication. Part of the privacy promise is also an app called “safe guard”, which basically analyzes your current security-relevant settings and provides a score.
The left side of the Priv has the power button while the right side offers three buttons, two of which are for controlling volume. The unidentified button is actually positioned between the two volume buttons and only seems to launch the notification drawer. BlackBerry might decide to let users customize this button’s function.
And here are a few camera samples:
Outdoor, daylight
Indoor, artificial light
You can see more camera samples from the BlackBerry Priv by following the source link below.
Source: derStandard
Via: Android Central
Come comment on this article: More images of the BlackBerry Priv surface along with camera samples
BlackBerry Priv shows up in detailed hands-on: here’s what we didn’t know
There’s very few things we don’t know about the BlackBerry Priv, but it is also true the phone is like some kind of rare holy grail. Not many have laid eyes on it, directly, and even fewer have managed to get a detailed hands-on with it (I guess it’s that secure!). Needless to say we jumped out of our seats and started digging for whatever new or unknown information a recently published hands-on post may present to us.
The article comes from website derStandard.at, which managed to get the inside scoop on the device and somehow obtained a pre-production model before others. In essence, there isn’t much new information here. Most of the specs, characteristics and software details we already knew. What makes this coverage special is the information which pertains to the actual handling of the handset; build quality, dimensions, how the phone feels in your hand, etc.
Two-handed beast
One of the first things the writer mentions is that the phone is seemingly too large for any type of one-handed usage. Such is to be expected… I mean, this is a 5.4-inch screen smartphone, after all. And because it’s not exactly the thinnest phone around, it makes it a bit harder to wield.
A bit on the display
There wasn’t much about the display, but the little that was said seems pretty promising. The writer compares it to the LG G4‘s screen, with “vivid colors and good contrast”. He also makes mention of a feature that displays battery levels on the curved side of the screen, but it seems this capability hasn’t been applied yet. It’s probably something that will be around with the consumer version.
Build quality
According to derStandard, the phone is not exactly the most premium one around, but it makes up for this in comfort and functionality. The back is made of a rubbery material that makes it feel rather cheap, something you can get past once you feel that security of getting a good grip on the phone.
We can’t ignore that keyboard, right? It’s what had many of us praying for a BlackBerry Android smartphone, and now that it’s coming we have high expectations. The reviewer confirms the keyboard is definitely solid, and the slider mechanism seems to work smoothly. He does have one complaint; though it’s very easy to recognize the keys by touch, accidental presses are common due to the buttons’ sensitivity.
Underwhelming performance?
This is a part that may have some of us scratching our heads. While BlackBerry is not really skimping out on specs, it seems performance is not up to par with current generation flagships.
Not that the phone is slow – it actually seems to work rather well. It just seems to have stutters here and there, something that shouldn’t really be the case considering the specs. Antutu gives it a score of about 46,000, which puts it up there with the HTC One M8 and OnePlus One.
Those phones are not bad, but they are also previous generation smartphones. To our relief, this may be due to lack of optimizations. Let’s hope the finalized version does better. In short: it’s “powerful, but with lags”.
Camera!
So this is one of the parts most of us have been wondering about. BlackBerry handsets are not really known for their camera quality. Is this the case for the almighty Priv?
While the camera was good, it didn’t leave an overwhelming impression. It works best under direct sunlight, as it goes with most other smartphones. It’s said to provide “good detail and realistic colors”. The shutter gets significantly slower once light starts dimming, though.
Conclusion
Those are about the only new details we could get from the hands-on coverage. Overall, the phone doesn’t seem to impress people very much once they try it. Or at least that’s the way it seems for now. With this in mind, we must really consider if we want to purchase a BlackBerry Priv or not.
Who is this phone for? I suppose the main lure is its physical keyboard and secure elements. Are those factors enough to have you buy into the BlackBerry craze?
BlackBerry Priv shows up in the Bluetooth SIG database
The BlackBerry Priv has shown up in the Bluetooth SIG database for certification under model number STV100-1. The device received certification just a couple of days ago on October 7.
There isn’t much more to say other than that, unfortunately. The device has been the victim of many different leaks, telling us about every little aspect of this new Android phone from BlackBerry, and as a result, there’ll be very little surprise come launch day.
BlackBerry is hoping the Priv is a great success, otherwise, they could be forced to leave the hardware business. The company needs to sell, at least, 5 million smartphones a year to be profitable, and that’s just scraping by.
Hopefully we’ll get a launch date for this particular device soon.
source: Bluetooth
via: G For Games
Come comment on this article: BlackBerry Priv shows up in the Bluetooth SIG database
BlackBerry may leave the handset market if it can’t turn a profit next year
Just as BlackBerry is looking to make an interesting change to its smartphone business, CEO John Chen has indicated that the company may consider exiting the handset market altogether, if its device division can’t turn a profit in the next year. The company has already stated that it is not opposed to abandoning handset operations if they remain unprofitable, but has previously steered clear of providing a time frame.
Chen also indicated that the company may consider dropping support for its BlackBerry 10 operating system after a year or two, providing that it can bring all of the security features over to Android. The company plans to support both operating systems in the near future. Even if BlackBerry was to exit the smartphone business, it may end up providing security options for Android via software.
“Sometime next year we have to make our device business profitable, otherwise I have to rethink what I do there. My job is to make sure the value of the company is protected and increases.” – BlackBerry CEO John Chen
The statements come ahead of the launch of the Android powered BlackBerry Priv, which is expected to arrive before the end of 2015. The handset features unique a slide out keyboard, as well as combining some of BlackBerry’s security and productivity tools with the popular Android OS.
The move over to Android will help address the lack of app available with BlackBerry’s current handsets and could help the company to sell a lot more phones. However, BlackBerry is still heavily invested in provided additional security features for the enterprise market and sees plenty of value left to be added in that market segment.
See also: It’s official: Android-powered BlackBerry Priv (Venice) coming this year
Given that BlackBerry smartphones now make up less than 1 percent of the global market, the move into Android and a single year to turn a profit seems like a bit of a last change saloon. BlackBerry states that it needs to sell around 5 million smartphones to return a profit.
BlackBerry is not the only smartphone company that may consider leaving the market if it can’t turn a profit in 2016. Sony recently made a similar statement about its own handset line-up, which has make a loss for successive quarters. Meanwhile, Nokia is expected to return to the smartphone market next year.
2016 is shaping up to be a key year for a number of legacy smartphone manufacturers. Do you think that the Priv will pay off for BlackBerry?
BlackBerry could exit hardware market if sales don’t pick up
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We heard yesterday that Sony’s CEO Kazuo Hirai is considering 2016 to be a make-or-break year for Sony’s smartphone business, and it appears that the same thought has crossed BlackBerry CEO John Chen’s mind as well. According to Chen, BlackBerry could exit hardware market if BlackBerry sales don’t pick up next year, allowing them to double down on their software services. This really gives the impression that the recently announced Android-powered BlackBerry Priv is really a last ditch effort to stay relevant in the hardware market, so we’ll have to see whether the device makes waves whenever it is released.
Of course, Chen knows exactly how the Priv can succeed: “Android in the enterprise is a very underserved space. With our connections, our accounts, our security knowhow, this has expanded our market.” Chen believes that the Priv will be one of the most secure Android devices with only the Blackphone beating it out for outright security – however, BlackBerry has no illusions that it will be able to prevent everything, like Stagefright, but still thinks it will have one of the most secure options out there. We’ll have to see whether BlackBerry will walk the walk too.
What do you think about the BlackBerry Priv? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: engadget
The post BlackBerry could exit hardware market if sales don’t pick up appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
If the Priv fails, BlackBerry might be forced to abandon hardware
Today, BlackBerry CEO John Chen sat down with Re/code at the publication’s Code Mobile conference. And of course the main talking point was BlackBerry’s upcoming Priv handset. Chen explained during his session at the conference that BlackBerry is moving to Android because of the company’s need for apps. With that, he feels that BlackBerry can produce a device that masters software, security, and productivity.
BlackBerry shared a bunch of Chen’s comments from his Code Mobile session today:
.@JohnChen at #CodeMobile: #BlackBerry software business can do “security magic” on #Android
— BlackBerry (@BlackBerry) October 8, 2015
http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
.@JohnChen at #CodeMobile: 2 new releases of #BB10 coming to support government and high-security users
— BlackBerry (@BlackBerry) October 8, 2015
http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
.@JohnChen: for #PRIV Android, “we’ve created patching mechanism that will address attacks a lot quicker than others” #CodeMobile
— BlackBerry (@BlackBerry) October 8, 2015
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.@JohnChen: As far as #PRIV is concerned, audience goes beyond enterprises. Will focus on high-end #privacy and #productivity. #CodeMobile
— BlackBerry (@BlackBerry) October 8, 2015
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Offstage, Chen told The Verge that BlackBerry must sell at least five million smartphones per year in order to be profitable and keep everything running. If that does not happen, BlackBerry may be forced to abandon the hardware business completely and focus on software alone. Because if your own mobile operating system fails and so does the use of another company’s, it may be time to give up. But, in all honesty, the Priv does look like a decent device that can capture the attention of consumers in and outside the enterprise space. Chen’s comments during his Code Mobile session do reflect that the company is looking at those who typically look at Apple and Samsung phones as their first choice.
Chen also confirmed that BlackBerry 10 will remain alive for the foreseeable future. Moving all security features from BlackBerry 10 to Android would be the only thing that leads to the company’s own mobile operating system to fold.
Come comment on this article: If the Priv fails, BlackBerry might be forced to abandon hardware
BlackBerry could quit hardware as early as next year
At a panel interview at Code/Mobile, BlackBerry CEO John Chen has said that the company might quit the hardware business if it isn’t profitable by next year. He said that he “never says never” to shutting down its device business and perhaps focus entirely on providing security services to other platforms. Indeed, BlackBerry’s Enterprise Servers is already compatible with both Android and iOS, so it won’t be a significant pivot. That said, Chen is bullish on trying to make the hardware business work. On stage, he showed off the new BlackBerry Priv, which isn’t only the firm’s first ever Android product, but also BlackBerry’s first ever device that uses an operating system that isn’t its own.
The Priv, Chen says, stands for privacy and privilege. It addresses three key factors that Chen believes is necessary for BlackBerry to succeed. First, is that he believes BlackBerry needs to go cross platform and accommodate all ecosystems. Second, the Priv helps to solve the lack of apps that BB10 has historically been plagued with. And thirdly, it leverages BlackBerry’s strength in security solutions, which is something that Chen says he’ll never let go of.
“We want to bring the BlackBerry security knowhow to Android,” he said, adding that the Priv will likely be one of the most secure Android phones on the market, with possibly only the Blackphone being equally or more secure. He also acknowledged the strength of Samsung Knox, which he says is a good competitor in the mobile security space. Of course, what with recent Android vulnerabilities like Stagefright and so forth, he can’t guarantee complete security, but he said “We’ll be more resilient than eveyrybody else.” He says the Priv will be available later this year at a comparable price to other high-end smartphones.
Even though he says that BlackBerry’s hardware business is in a make-or-break phase, he is confident that it’ll succeed. “Android in the enterprise is a very underserved space,” he said. “With our connections, our accounts, our security knowhow, this has expanded our market.” He also isn’t ready to give up on BB10, which he says is even more secure. Indeed, he says there’ll be two new BB10 releases coming up. As for new BB10 devices, that “will be dictated by market needs.” He said that BlackBerry is still widely used in government and other arenas that require higher security. “The market wants privacy and security, and they also want apps,” he said about the Priv’s marketability.
Answering a question on whether his audience is a consumer or enterprise one, he says it’s anyone who wants high-end productivity and security. “I’m building a software business that focuses on endpoint security. My audience goes beyond just enterprise,” he said, adding that it also involves hospitals, banks, government agencies and consumers too. “We’re focusing on the high-end,” he said.
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