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BlackBerry Passport sports Android in demo video
An Android-powered slider may not be the only phone BlackBerry has pegged for Google's mobile OS. Following the leaks of a device codenamed "Venice" that's said to be offered in both Android and BB10 versions, a video of the recently announced Passport Silver Edition surfaced. The square QWERTY handset isn't running BlackBerry's software, though, it's sportin' Lollipop. In the video from Dudu Rocha Tec., a prototype version of the new Passport is equipped with what appears to be stock Android. It'll be interesting to see if this phone also packs in some of BB10's notable features like Venice is rumored to do. BlackBerry hasn't tipped its hand on Android devices just yet, so we'll have to wait and see if another model of the silver Passport will be the second model that'll tempt those who prefer Google's mobile software. BlackBerry is already working with Mountain View on a more secure enterprise version of Android, and a number of reports indicate that the company is planning it's own Lollipop (or Marshmellow) phones in the near future.
BlackBerry Passport Silver Edition gets stainless steel, keeps it square
Blackberry debuted its square-screened Passport last fall, and now it has a new model to entice you. The company revealed the Silver Edition of the phone today, a variant that wields a "refined design" that includes a stainless steel frame and soft-touch diamond-pattern back cover. We have to give it to BlackBerry, this silver version certainly does look more sophisticated, but during our review, we found the phone's size to be a bit awkward and the keyboard took some getting used to.
BlackBerry 10 phones get the Amazon Appstore in the US
If you're a BlackBerry-toting American, you're about to get a ton of Android apps on your plate. As promised, BlackBerry has started the US rollout of an update that gives all BB10 devices access to the Amazon Appstore, saving you from having to sideload some of the Android titles you can't live without. You'll also get better anti-theft protection and a "fresh look" that includes faster access to common tasks.
BlackBerry Passport and Classic come to AT&T on February 20th
BlackBerry fans on AT&T, your long wait for a new phone is almost over -- the carrier has announced that both the Passport and Classic will reach its stores on February 20th. As promised, AT&T's ever-so-slightly customized (but still oddly shaped) Passport will cost you $200 on contract, $22 per month on Next 24 or $650 up front. If you'd like something a tad less squarish, the Classic will cost you $50 on contract, $14 per month on Next 24 or $420 outright. These BlackBerrys certainly aren't the cheapest devices in AT&T's roster, but they're also the network's only modern phones with hardware keyboards. If you still aren't a fan of typing on glass, they're your best bets.
BlackBerry offers up to $550 if you ditch your iPhone for a Passport
If the industry based its grades solely on effort, there's no doubt BlackBerry would be among the first top spots. Now, whether or not those efforts are actually effective, well, that's a completely different story. Since its notable decline, the Canadian company's had to get creative to try and bring back customers it lost, namely to other competitors in the mobile space like Google and Apple. With that in mind, BlackBerry has a introduced the Trade-Up Program, which it intends to use to convince iPhone users to trade in their device for its flagship smartphone, the Passport.
I typed my entire BlackBerry Passport review on the phone's tiny keyboard
Apparently I'm a masochist. That's an odd way to begin a review. But to give BlackBerry's latest handset, the Passport, as thorough a review as possible, I decided to type the entire thing from the phone itself. My twisted idea came from a realization that this (mostly) square oddity is the first phone with a physical keyboard that I've used since the Motorola Droid 4 in 2012 or the BlackBerry Q10 in 2013. It's not even a normal keyboard by modern smartphone standards -- it's a flattened, hybrid setup with both physical and virtual elements and a curiously placed space bar. Needless to say, it's an odd device, one that truly deserves the ultimate test: Can I use it to crank out several thousand words of text? Of course, there's more to the Passport than just its odd shape and the company's desire to resurrect a now-antiquated smartphone feature. I'm going to dive into what sets this phone apart from the hundreds of others already on the market -- that is, if my thumbs hold up through the experience.
There's apparently a 'Gold Edition' BlackBerry Passport
Which is to say, it's time for Queen Beyonce to drop that BlackBerry Porsche Design. It's so 2012.
BlackBerry looking to release more 'unconventional' devices
For better or worse, much has been made about the distinct shape of BlackBerry's new smartphone, the Passport. And, according to Ron Louks, president of the company's Devices division, we can expect BlackBerry to start pushing more out-of-the-ordinary hardware, like its latest, in the years to come. During an interview with Reuters, Louks said BlackBerry can afford to take risks after sorting out its financial situation, adding that the goal is to introduce "at least one unconventional device" every year. "When it comes to design and being a little bit disruptive, we want that 'wow' factor," he said. Louks also stated that BlackBerry is already working on yet another unusual device, and while there were no details revealed on what it is exactly, he did say carriers have had some positive feedback toward it. Whatever it may be, you can definitely color us intrigued.
What is #Weirded? This is #Weirded.
How does one introduce an original web series like #Weirded? For one, it's not tech news -- at least, not in the way you're used to seeing. So scrub that notion from your brain. It's more like a constant channel change; like pressing the seek button on a car radio and catching tidbits of the noise filling the tech industry's airwaves. It's light, but biting in a way we hope'll make you ask for "more, please!" It'll skewer and shine a light on the more outrageous news and comments of the week. But it will always be in good fun (and in very bad taste). It's a guilty pleasure; our tongue-in-cheek gift to you. This week's inaugural episode is pretty fruity: It's nearly all about Apple, with some Blackberry crumble on the side. The full episode's just after the break. Enjoy the feast!
BlackBerry's Passport is a square in looks, but not personality
For the first time in ages, I'm intrigued by a BlackBerry device. That's rather unusual these days, but it wasn't always this way. I remember when I first saw the Pearl eight years ago; it was one of the most beautiful devices I'd ever seen. The Curve and Bold series didn't disappoint either. But the magic has been missing from the Canadian phone maker for a long time, evidenced by its struggling sales. Only one in a hundred smartphone owners use a BlackBerry, and the company's older-generation hardware is still outselling current BlackBerry 10 handsets. Now it's putting much of its hope in a unique-looking squarish device called the Passport, which launches today in five countries (with 30 total by the end of the year). The $599 off-contract/$249 on-contract device ($699 in Canada and £529 in the UK, off-contract) is designed to appeal to fans of physical keyboards and large displays. It may not restore the magic BlackBerry's lost in recent years, but my initial experience with the Passport has been more positive than I expected. At least that's a start, right?
BlackBerry's one-of-a-kind Passport phone will cost $599
Over the past few months, BlackBerry has been putting a lot of effort into building some buzz around its newest, oddly-shaped smartphone, the Passport. Today, in an interview with The Wall Street Journal, company CEO John Chen revealed one of the most important aspects of the device: the cost. Chen told the publication that the BlackBerry Passport will be hitting shelves in the US this Wednesday for $599, contract free, adding that such price tag is expected to vary from country to country -- depending on sales tax and the like. Chen also said that BlackBerry's new Passport is betting on reaching and appealing to people who need to be productive, pointing to the wider screen as an example of how the device could help users. "You really are seeing a more entire picture than seeing a sliver [of screen]," Chen stated to WSJ, likely in reference to some of the most popular phones out there at the moment, such as the iPhone 6, Galaxy S5 and HTC One M8.
Gadget Rewind 2005: BenQ Z2
BenQ may not be a familiar name to some -- at least not in the US -- but its roots in the electronics industry date back to the '80s. The company, formerly a division of Acer, was spun off in 2001 in an attempt to build a brand name for itself. With a background in manufacturing, BenQ began building devices for companies like Nokia and Motorola; devices that were mostly for sale in Asian markets. Soon, it started its own line of mobile handsets and in 2005, BenQ announced a cube-like multimedia device called the Z2. It was poised to compete with the other camera-toting and music-playing cellphones at the time, while also targeting the youth market with its unique form factor and colorful exteriors. Curious to know more? Check out our gallery below.
BlackBerry announces virtual assistant to take on Siri and Cortana
Apple has Siri, Microsoft has Cortana, Google's got Now voice search and BlackBerry... doesn't have a virtual assistant of any kind. This morning, however, the Canadian smartphone maker confirmed that it has one in the works and will be showing up on the company's next major release. Known aptly as BlackBerry Assistant, the new program is a part of OS 10.3 and will be available on the upcoming Passport phone. Assistant is voice-activated and comes with quite a few of the standard features we've come to expect on the other mobile platforms, such as the ability to open apps, send messages and tweets, set reminders and change settings. It also is smart enough to learn and adapt to your needs, so it theoretically should become more useful over time as it gets to know you. BlackBerry isn't revealing all that Assistant can do yet, and it hasn't offered a firm timeframe for availability aside from the fact that it'll be part of the Passport, but so far we haven't seen much to set it apart from the competition. It's at least a good sign that the company is trying remain competitive, however.
Engadget Daily: YouTube flooded with 70s rock, the Hicon Social Bangle and more!
Today, we enjoy 2,000 hours of classic rock footage from the 70s, ponder the BlackBerry Passport's oddly shaped display, learn about the importance of managing your business' online presence and take a look at the Hicon Social Bangle. Read on for Engadget's news highlights from the last 24 hours.
The Passport is BlackBerry's newest, oddest-looking smartphone
Turns out BlackBerry's stronger-than-expected financial performance wasn't the only surprise the company had for us today. CEO John Chen took a few moments during this morning's earnings call to mention its newest phone: it's called the BlackBerry Passport and it's, well... just look at it. Bizarre.
