It is hard to get cases for the Blackberry Key 2 however like many of their devices you can go without especially if it has that rubberised back which is great but as I always say its best to case up just in case even if you are just going out for the day or night.
This case is simple to install and clear which means you can see the device in all its glory given there is now a red version available it would look really well on the red one more so than the Black in my opinion.
The case has a hard shell on the rear and has military grade drop protection and TPU throughout the rest of the case. The keys are raised perfectly and ideal to use and very tactile with no issues at all to report. The four corners have slight raised edges which keeps it safe and the corners have nice little bumpers there to give additional protection in one of the most vulnerable parts of any smartphone.
There is a lip going around the front of the device which is also a great addition to the case as the screen is also another vulnerable piece and the most expensive in most instances and when it comes to the camera that is well protected too below the surface level and all ports are easily accessible too. Check out the video below for a more detailed look.
I typically carry two phones as annoying as it can be at times it keeps personal and business apart which is how it should be and dual sim phones are available but with what I do, it is what it is and two or more phones it shall be but overall I enjoyed the Key 2 and it delivered on what many seen failed on the Key One.
I was critical of Blackberry for years after they vanished off the operators shelves then the Passport came along which I slated but when I had the chance to use it I was so wrong and it was probably the best phone I used that year despite its odd shape and anything from Blackberry after that was great as I tried them all including the Priv, Classic and Key One. Check out my chat with Blackberry on the PRIV
The Key 2 looks much the same as old and is light in the hand and a great balance with that rubberised back everyone loves. When you pick it up you know you are holding a Blackberry device.
This time around it is much more snappy and feature rich with the “Hub and DTeK” on board leaving you with a sense of security which in today’s world is vital. The most standout feature however is the keyboard and it has been refined and once again brings back the joy of typing on physical keys rather than virtual ones which you can of course use if you like on the phone if the keys are too small but that just defeats the purpose of owning one of these phones. It only took a few hours to get the hang of the keys once again and they travel well and are responsive then you have the shortcut key and the options to programme the keys is just great this is where things make up for the lack of screen estate allowing you to place shortcuts to launch apps keeping your screen free which I find hard to do regardless.
This phone is a niche product so lets get that out of the way, It aint for everyone, but when I say that everyone has not tried it simply because they cant get their hands on one and when you use the keyboard you will want it, this might apply to the older folks out there who once sported a Blackberry of old but I think it would appeal to more given they had a chance..
This was evident when I showed it around or when people asked me what phone is that and when I say Blackberry they are somewhat stumped and say “are they still making phones”? Blackberry has been not available here on networks for years despite people wanting them from asking on forums and boards here they have a n interest still but not like the devices we tend to have shoved down our throat when you walk into a phone store here.
This is ideal for the business minded and more but you are limited to two things here which is screen size for one and if you use VR headsets you are wasting your time due to the dimensions. VR was one concern of mine before with the Key One but VR has died and I have no need for it now which is unfortunate being a huge fan I always wanted to have a phone I could use with a generic or manufacturer specific headset. Blackberry aint either.
The screen size is another factor especially for media consumption, you are limited with size and screen estate and its somewhat dim compared to other phones but manageable and over time you would excuse it even I did and having the luxury to be around bigger phones with 18:9 aspect ratios they Key 2 is 3:2 at 4.5 inches.
The camera is one factor which everyone will want to know about and is an important feature for many does this phone deliver? Yes and No. In low light forget it but being honest that is a struggle for many phones today until recently but in bright conditions its fine and video is fine with 4K recording and video recording is maxed out at 1080p at 60 fps on the selfie side with the front facing camera. One tip is I would use HDR on the main camera for decent shots I am just a point and shoot guy like most and hates fumbling with settings which for the most using this phone would be the same.
If you are the productive type you have all the tools at your disposal on the Key 2 that you need such as docs,locker,password keeper, privacy shade which I covered before,sheets,slides,sound recorder and power centre. Speaking of Power yet again Blackberry trumps with battery life here easily getting me through one day no problem with heavy usage and as I am a power user this is vital for me and im sure many others are too this will not let you down here at all. Multitasking is a joy to use and fluid.
The Key 2 is ideal for enterprise folk and with not many phones directed at this bar Windows Phone which is dead the Key 2 is the phone to have full stop, The hub will be ideal some and not for others and for those who are comfortable with the default stock apps you do need to use Blackberry apps to get full use of the hub, it is a love it or hate thing and the same applies to BBM which in fairness lets be honest nobody uses it and certainly not in my circle of friends or business customers.
For me the KEY 2 is a phone I could easily carry with me on a daily basis and it is a nice phone to use and suits my needs day in day out. The keys might be a bit small for some and for large handed folks like me it can be a problem but one you can get over the more you use the devices and you can always add the virtual keyboard if you feel the need to but asides that it is much faster than the KEY One has not slowed down on me so far and its loaded fully with Apps, Music and images and I have not ran into any issues yet.
The Key 2 is certainly a phone I can recommend to anyone in business or enterprise and even those who like Android devices and was perhaps once a Blackberry fan of old. The only thing I can fault it on is screen size and that is a thing people like today, Given the phone is not a media targeted device is does deliver only on a smaller screen estate with and odd aspect ratio and you can get over this in time if you are willing to give it a go. Many people will knock the Key 2 but like I said before and caught myself out, Dont knock it unless you have tried it. Having said that it is a niche device and not for all but it will surprise you. My final complain would be the price it is hefty and you can get better for less these days which is no excuse even for the intended target audience.
The Blackberry Key 2 has arrived with many features updated from its last iteration and once again sports the best keyboard in the industry for those who like them.The do take a bit to get use to but once you do you will be flying. The Key 2 we have comes with 6GB RAM and 64GB of storage which is expandable up to 256GB. With a smaller screen than most it is 4.5 inches with an IPS LCD display and 433ppi. The Key 2 also has a dual camera set up series 7000 aluminum chassis and has a snapdragon 660 chipset. Check out the unboxing below and if you have any questions feel free to ask us while we test it out.
Irish retailers and networks have shunned blackberry for some years now and whilst like Windows Phone seen a huge dip in shares BlackBerry fell the same way but they now have Android devices and they are still left out for those who want them,the same also applies to LG which of late have made great phones.
Be it ignorance from the networks or the manufacturers themselves this is something that can be addressed by making it happen or like in many instances with tech in Ireland we have to resort to importing the goods. This is can work in to our benefit at times with cost but overall it’s a channel most would prefer not to use and walk into a store and just buy the dam things there and then and also get a look at them.
now though John Lewis have them in stock and also Argos do in the UK, Even Argos here have ignored the TCL made devices which is unusual considering they sell LG devices and others not available on our networks. John Lewis is a reputable retailer in the UK and I have purchased several things from them so check them out if you are interested and use Parcel Motel to get it delivered. The older Blackberry KeyOne is also available to purchase which is really a nice phone but can be got cheaper elsewhere than its current advertised listing.
The Blackberry Keyone has been a much anticipated device and finally it has arrived here with us ,With reviews shining so far on the latest installement which to me is mash up of the Silver Passport and the Priv its surely is a solid looking device to hold and its nice to look at, It certainly stands out and true to form the keypad is what people will always rememeber from Blackberry and its present here with an amazing 51 keys which you can assign to your need which means less clutter on the homescreen which is probably bit small for some users today but its just about enough with the keyboard sitting below which also acts as a trackpad and not only that the fingerprint scanner is built in here too so everything is at your fingertips…
Today we will just give you an unboxing and an image gallery whilst we take it on a run for a week or two and see how it turns out with extreme heavy use which I tend to give my phones and they get punished task wise we shall see if it stands up to current trends and with already mostly good reviews to date we will put our thoughts on it over the coming weeks,Check out the image gallery below and unboxing and if there is any questions you might have just fire away… Before you ask it is highly unlikely we will see it for sale here on our networks which leaves us to importing the Keyone just like previous devices which many of us will do…
It is intended for Blackberry devices only but there is a way to fix that for most Android devices…
One thing that bugs the hell out of me is people snooping at what I look at on my phone,be it in a queue a friends house or whatever the situation maybe it just annoys me and I am sure it would have happened to most people. Blackberry has a new app which is really intended for Blackberry devices but there is a way to use it on other devices and its free and also handy to stop prying eyes..If you are the owner of a large device this would be particularity helpful..
Privacy Shade prevents people around you from seeing your screen by blocking out everything except for a small view area that you control, while still letting you interact with the full screen. • Turn on Privacy Shade to control the visibility of sensitive content. • View and send sensitive content while in the open without letting others around you see your private information. • Use Privacy Shade to only expose the exact area you’re reading or typing in. • Adjust the transparency of the shade to suit your environment.
If you are using a non Blackberry device you can download Blackberry Manager APK which is safe and then download the Privacy Shade App via the manager app its a simple process and works a treat on several devices I have tried aside my Blackberry devices.
With 52 keys you can assign a task too, its for the corporate folk. BUT a 4.5 inch screen…
Blackberry has had some really decent phones over the last two years such as the oddly shaped Passport which I actually love and the Priv. You just cant beat those keys full stop and with their new device which is a mash of both the price better be right here which Blackberry have failed to address for some time. it is tipped to be around €500.Dubbed as the Mercury the company have announced the KEYone.. This time around its no Alcatel looking device they have went back to their old looks….
The device has lots to offer such as a 3505 mAh battery USB-C, Dis convenience key, rubber backed finish which is excellent, Android 7.1 out of the box and the space bar doubles as a fingerprint scanner. I think this one will be on my list this year…
Blackberry today have announced they are no longer making handsets.. Sad news for some but it was a long time coming due to their decline in handset sales it was only a matter of time.. Instead they will outsource the handset business which makes sense and something other players in the market have done.. Blackberry just like Nokia once reigned supreme in the mobile industry and they are names nobody will forget.. The Blackberry Priv which was their first in-house android handset sales did not go as expected but indeed it is certainly a nice mobile phone but its price was its downfall if im honest. Having said that Blackberry remains committed to investing in and growing the Mobility Solutions business…
John Chen, Executive Chairman and CEO says…
“We are reaching an inflection point with our strategy. Our financial foundation is strong, and our pivot to software is taking hold,”
“In Q2, we more than doubled our software revenue year over year and delivered the highest gross margin in the company’s history. We also completed initial shipments of BlackBerry Radar, an end-to end asset tracking system, and signed a strategic licensing agreement to drive global growth in our BBM consumer business.” “Our new Mobility Solutions strategy is showing signs of momentum, including our first major device software licensing agreement with a telecom joint venture in Indonesia. Under this strategy, we are focusing on software development, including security and applications.
The company plans to end all internal hardware development and will outsource that function to partners. This allows us to reduce capital requirements and enhance return on invested capital,” continued Chen. “We remain on track to deliver 30 percent revenue growth in software and services for the full fiscal year. We are revising upward our non-GAAP EPS outlook to a range of breakeven to a five cent loss, compared to the current consensus of a 15 cent loss. This reflects increased confidence based on improving margins and reduced interest expense from the recent refinancing of our debt, as well as planned investments in growth areas.”
After a $372 million quarterly loss, the Canadian tech firm said it will outsource all hardware development to focus on software. But how will devices look in the future?? Well that is a matter of time for us all to find out…Their last few devices where pretty good with the quirky design of the passport and their first Android the Blackberry Priv even the Classic and Leap where pretty good for average users and worthy devices but price seemed to be an issue alongside the dying OS..
Blackberry have put all the rumors to rest finally with the announcement of the DTECK50 which is already available to pre-order at €339/£275 and ships in August. Much cheaper than its first Android,Obviously you get less and there is an element of Alcatels idol 4s here too,but nonetheless its the second Android from Blackberry and it will be interesting to see what kind of welcome it gets.. That name though??
Our thinnest smartphone ever, DTEK50 is just 7.4mm thick. Combined with BlackBerry’s intelligent keyboard, a beautiful 5.2’’ scratch-resistant display, and a set of dazzling cameras, DTEK50’s a device that’s definitely worth getting excited about. Best of all, it’s available at a great price.
DTEK50 features:
– a best in class Intelligent Keyboard,
– 5.2” scratch and smudge resistant display,
– Convenience Key that you can program for quick access to favorite apps or features,
– stunning 8 megapixel front and 13 megapixel rear Cameras,
– preloaded with BlackBerry Hub and the DTEK™ security app that lets you know when your privacy could be at risk and how you can take action to improve it..
Starting today, DTEK50 is available to pre-order from ShopBlackBerry.com in the U.S., Canada, UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, and The Netherlands for $299 USD ($429 CDN, €339, and £275). Additionally, for a limited time, customers who pre-order DTEK50 will receive a complimentary BlackBerry Mobile Power Pack, a high-capacity portable charger worth $59.99 USD ($69.99 CDN, €59.99, and £54.99) that powers all your compatible mobile devices to maximize your productivity and play time. This offer expires on August 8th at 11:59 p.m. PST.
