Why I will never buy a BlackBerry with a QWERTY keyboard again

The-Editors-Desk

One of the advantages (if any, I know: it’s a stretch) of growing older is that the older you get, the more memories and experience you gather. I was there to witness both the birth and the demise of QWERTY keyboard-equipped smartphones. From the BlackBerry Bold 9000 (which was actually my company phone at my day job in sales before Pocketnow), the HTC ChaCha, and the beloved Touch Pro2 to the BlackBerry KEYone (and its point iteration successors).

qwerty smartphone

I was so good at typing on the small keys that I could pull off an entire e-mail without even looking at the keys or auto-correction, similar to how I type on a full-size keyboard. But you see, just like everything in life, there was a time and purpose for those phones, and I personally believe that said time has passed.

You see, when companies started to think about, initially, and then push to the market smartphones that had QWERTY keyboards, the entire smartphone market was in its very infancy. Not only were they just transitioning from resistive to capacitive displays, but they were pushing the resolution up from 320×200 to a whopping 640×480 VGA.

qwerty smartphone

On-screen keyboards were really bad, with small keys hard to hit with a stylus to terrible, nightmare-generating auto-correct mistakes for subsequent, larger keys (just large enough to hit it precisely with your fingers on 3-point-something, or 4-at-best diagonals).

There was a need on the market to do something and improve the productivity of professionals (because, let’s face it, only they were able to afford smartphones back in the day, or the companies they worked for).

Birth and demise of the QWERTY smartphones

Enter the QWERTY keyboard on a smartphone. Sure, in the late 90s, NOKIA dipped its toes in the water with the Communicator, but BlackBerry and HTC were really spearheading the movement, as Symbian, BBOS, and Windows Mobile (somewhat later, Android) were the only usable/useful platforms.

qwerty smartphone

Offering tactile feedback and an improved hit or miss ratio, QWERTY keyboards caught on fast (also, there was no fun in typing out a message or email on T9 keyboards: BlackBerry Pearl anyone?). Not only were they offering more productivity, but they became a symbol for the “modern” business professional. It solved a problem!

The demise started not long after when Apple decided to remove the problem altogether with the iPhone, and an on-screen keyboard that was actually usable. Android really caught the drift and the two started to chip away, slowly, at BlackBerry, Microsoft (Windows Mobile-powered smartphones), and Nokia.

Screens became larger and larger, on-screen keyboards became better and better, autocorrect massively improved, and soon dictation became a standard option.

We’re currently at the point where a six-inch phone is pretty “average” or “normal” when it comes to size, and FHD resolution is a “minimum”. That’s twice, sometimes thrice the size or resolution of the displays back in the day when a QWERTY keyboard was a need, or useful to begin with.

The problem with QWERTY smartphones

Regardless of which approach you think of (vertical slider, horizontal slider, below the display/split) a QWERTY keyboard either adds bulk to the phone or reduces the screen size. By this alone it creates a problem, instead of solving one (that’s no longer there).

I’ve been thinking about this topic for quite a while, and I can’t find a single usage scenario where a QWERTY keyboard would be useful in today’s smartphone landscape. If you can think of one, drop us a comment below. I’d really love to know!

qwerty smartphone

In this decade, the smartphone can be easily defined by being as thin as possible, with as much display as possible taking up its front. How much sense would it make for a company, even with a strong brand behind it, like BlackBerry (with its most recent 2021 comeback rumors), to go against the grain and offer a product which, by simple definition, takes away from the experience, as we know it today?

Again, I can’t think of anything, save for the nostalgia factor, which I believe is not enough for a product to justify its existence. Maybe it’s just me, but whatever it is that you’re planning with it, BlackBerry, please don’t count on me. I’ll pass! And no, it’s not personal: I’m passing on all physical QWERTY keyboards on smartphones, regardless of make or model. Will you?

Thanks for reading! Welcome to The Editor’s Desk!

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BlackBerry is making a comeback in 2021 with a flagship rocking a physical keyboard

Just when you thought that the BlackBerry brand of smartphones has finally seen the sunset, it gets yet a new lease of life. After a not-so-successful revival in the Android ecosystem with backing from TCL, the legendary BlackBerry name is now ready for yet another fresh start in 2021 with a flagship that will feature – wait for it – a physical QWERTY keyboard. 

A BlackBerry flagship with physical keyboard, top-of-the-line cameras and 5G

As per a report from Nikkei Asia, Texas-based startup Onward Mobility is joining hands with Foxconn to launch a flagship phone this year that will feature a physical keyboard. The company aims to launch the BlackBerry 5G flagship in North America and Europe, with plans of eventually bringing it to the Asian markets as well. The original announcement was first made in August last year, but the project appears to have picked up steam lately with the company eying a release as soon as possible.

“OnwardMobility is hoping for better luck through its partnership with FIH Mobile, Foxconn’s Android phone-making arm. They are jointly developing the new model to be sold under the BlackBerry brand, featuring the signature keyboard as well as a top-of-the-line camera and 5G connectivity,” says the report.

First coming to North America and Europe, and eventually to Asian markets

Onward Mobility CEO Peter Franklin thinks that a physical keyboard will give a big boost to the productivity aspect, and that the long term goal is to eventually start making BlackBerry phones on the US soil. Franklin added that the company is currently in talks with customers and carriers worldwide, charting the course for distribution of its BlackBerry-branded flagship that will also feature top-of-the-line camera hardware. 

And just like classic BlackBerry phones of the years gone, the upcoming Android flagship is said to ‘offer greater protection against data leaks and other cyber threats’ with help from a cybersecurity company. Onward Mobility hopes to find customers for its BlackBerry-branded offering in the enterprise segment where security is a sought-after trait.

If you’re a BlackBerry fan, indulge in some nostalgia by watching the video below:

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Pocketnow Daily: Google Pixel 5 Date LEAKED: Woah, Early! (video)

Apple’s iPad mini, the Galaxy Book Ion, and more on sale today

Deals. The Google Pixel 4 is currently $250 off on Amazon, leaving the 128GB variant for $649. You can also find it for $300 off at Best Buy if you choose to activate it today. Just remember that these are discontinued so, if you want one, this is a great chance. The Sony Xperia 1 is also $252 off on Amazon, leaving the 128GB variant for $698 shipped, with the US warranty. Finally, as part of Amazon’s back to school deals, the 10.2in iPad is also $50 off, leaving it at $279 shipped. We also have more deals on MacBook Pros, wireless chargers and more in the links in the description.

Look who’s back! A BlackBerry phone is coming in 2021

Earlier this year, we reported that TCL and Blackberry were parting ways. TCL announced that their deal would be ending on August 31st, which is just a few days away and, we thought we weren’t getting any BlackBerry smartphones, at least not any time soon. Now, a software company called OnwardMobility says that they have made a new deal with BlackBerry. This deal consists of using BlackBerry’s name and intellectual property to create a new 5G, keyboarded Android smartphone which will come to the US and Europe in 2021. According to their CEO, they “really see the need for a 5G Blackberry, with a physical keyboard being a flagship device. They also mentioned that this would be a “global flagship” with a “competitive price”.

iPhone 12 could be made in India starting mid-2021

We know that Apple’s manufacturing business is in kind of a mess right now due to all the bans. Most iPhones are manufactured in China but, we do know that a handful of older models like the iPhone 6s and 7 which are still sold in India are manufactured there. However, they have started producing newer models like the 11 and the Xr. Now, according to Business Standard, the iPhone 12 could be the seventh model to be produced in India. The report mentions that Apple’s supplier, Winstron, will hire 10,000 new workers to work on the iPhone 12 and even the new iPhone SE, some time by the end of this year. So, like I said before, it looks like India is the real winner out of all of this US, China and Apple mess.

Apple says it won’t make an exception for Epic Games amidst clash over Fortnite

You can find iPhones with Fortnite installed at eBay for up to $10,000

Speaking of Apple and messes, let’s talk about an update on the whole Epic Games versus Apple situation. According to a new statement from Apple given to the Verge, they won’t be making an exception for Epic Games because they don’t think that “it’s right to put their business interests ahead of the guidelines that protect our customers”. Further on, Apple said that they want to keep Epic as part of the Apple Developer Program as well as their apps on the Store. The problem Epic created for themselves can be easily remedied by submitting an update to their app that reverts and complies to Apple’s guidelines, which they originally agreed to.” So as of right now, we don’t have any statements from Epic, oh and, do you want to buy an iPhone with Fortnite installed on eBay? You can currently get one for $10,000, but don’t worry, we have one on sale for $4300. There’s also a way to install it if you go to your purchased Apps tab, at least until they patch that.

Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra may include a Bright HM2 108MP camera

The new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 gets leaked on TikTok

Now, let’s talk about Samsung. We’re still months away from the Galaxy S21 but, leaks have been coming in since April. According to a new tweet from Ice Universe, the S21 Ultra’s main camera will be an 108MP sensor which will be the successor to the HM1, so we’re expecting it to be called Bright HM2 or something around that nature. We’re also expecting other changes like, displays from BOE, if they manage to pass the quality tests. Moving on to the Galaxy Z Fold 2, we have a full hands on video of the phone on Tik Tok from a creator called DigitalSight because, that’s a thing nowadays. This leak is supposed to come from China, possibly from a factory worker or a telecom regulator. On the video we get to see the phone fully working, both open and closed. Showing off the phone booting up and even some features like the 120Hz main display, the camera viewfinder and even the outer display working. We’re expecting the Z Fold 2 to be released on September 1st.

Story of the day:

Google Pixel 5 could launch sooner than expected

Finally, on the last Daily I mentioned how weird it was that we weren’t getting any Google Pixel 5 leaks. Well, won’t you look at that, they’re here. Jon Prosser tweeted out some updates yesterday. According to him, the Google Pixel 5 5G in black and green color variants will be announced or released on September 30th. He also said that we should expect the black color variant of the Pixel 4a 5G on September 30th as well and we will have to wait until October for the White variant of the 4a 5G. He was correct with the Pixel 4a’s launch date so, these should be on point. However, we don’t have much leaks for the Pixel 5, which is kinda weird, other than the fact that it might not be a full blown flagship. It will apparently bring the Snapdragon 765G along with 8GB of RAM and running Android 11. The 4a 5G is also expected to be some sort of a Plus variant for the Pixel 4a but with a better processor.

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Look who’s back! A BlackBerry phone is coming in 2021

Earlier this year, TCL announced that its partnership with BlackBerry will end on August 31, 2020. BlackBerry also tweeted a goodbye message following the announcement. Now, ahead of the official termination of the contract, a new company called OnwardMobility says it has made a deal with the BlackBerry.

The software company says the deal involves using BlackBerry’s name and intellectual property to create a new keyboarded Android smartphone. Further, the handset is coming to the US and Europe in 2021.

“We really see a need for a 5G BlackBerry, Android smartphone with a physical keyboard and being a flagship device,” said Peter Franklin, CEO of OnwardMobility.

The new BlackBerry is said to serve the niche that isn’t being served by any other manufacturer. The 2021 BlackBerry phone will come equipped with a QWERTY-keyboard. Further, the phone is tipped to be a “global flagship” running Android. It will be “competitively priced” and have both sub-6GHz and millimeter-wave 5G.

Source: PCmag

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Pocketnow Daily: POCO X2 Official: They DID IT AGAIN?!(video)

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Pocketnow Daily: iPhone SE 2 Price and Dates Sound HOT!! (video)

On today's Pocketnow Daily, we talk about the possible price and launch of the iPhone SE 2, Apple's arrival to the 5G market and more

The post Pocketnow Daily: iPhone SE 2 Price and Dates Sound HOT!! (video) appeared first on Pocketnow.

Pocketnow Daily: MacBook Pro 16-inch: The ANTI-Apple Computer?! (video)

On today's Pocketnow Daily, we talk about the new 16-inch MacBook Pro, the next iPAd Pro with dual-camera, the design of the Sony Xperia 3 and more

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Pocketnow Daily: Google Buying FitBit Means A LOT, Here’s Why… (video)

On today's Pocketnow Daily, we talk about Google officially buying Fitbit , leaked images of the Moto Razr the new Samsung W20 5G and more

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Pocketnow Daily: Samsung Galaxy Fold 2 Teaser is HOT!! (video)

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On today’s Pocketnow Daily, we talk about the teaser for the next Samsung Galaxy Fold 2, 2020 iPhones coming with 5G in 2020 and more

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