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BlackBerry Q10 review
You can't please everybody all the time, and if there's a company who knows this better than the rest, it's BlackBerry. At the showy launch for BlackBerry 10, the company finally unveiled its new stable of smartphones with which it would fight the likes of Apple, Samsung, HTC, Microsoft, Nokia and Google. No simple task, that, and so BlackBerry rolled out not one, but two weapons: the all-touch Z10 and the portrait-QWERTY Q10. But there was a catch: only one would launch at a time. It was a staged attack, with the Z10 forming the initial volley. Many said this was a mistake, and that the Q10 and its familiar physical keyboard should have gone first, paving the way for the more radical, all-touch Z10. After what seems like an eternity, the $249 BlackBerry Q10 is finally ready for duty, so let's put it through its paces and see which of these fraternal twins is truly the flagship.%Gallery-186645%
BlackBerry awarded design patent for portrait QWERTY slider, could be a BB10 Torch
Could BlackBerry be prepping a return to slider form for future BB10 hardware? From the looks of this recently awarded design patent, we'd be willing to wager the Waterloo-based outfit's seriously considering it. The USPTO doc, initially filed back in December 2011, is as plain as they come, outlining a multi-perspective design for a handheld electronic device that looks to be a combo of the Z10's all-touch candybar aesthetic with a physical QWERTY keyboard hiding underneath à la the Torch series. With BB diehards about to get a first taste of the Q10's more traditional design, it's reasonable to assume that a portrait QWERTY slider's next up on the 2013 horizon. And with the company's annual showcase, now renamed BB Live, set for mid-May, it's likely we'll be hearing about the next phase of BB10's portfolio and potentially this prospective gem in particular.
BlackBerry Q10 coming to Canadian carriers May 1st for $199 on contract
It's usually safe to presume that BlackBerry will give the most love to its home country, and that's proving reasonable with the BlackBerry Q10. Bell, Rogers and Telus have all confirmed that they'll be carrying the QWERTY-equipped smartphone on May 1st, quite possibly putting them on the cutting edge of the Q10 launch schedule. Smaller networks like Fido, Koodo, Sasktel and Virgin Mobile are also on deck. The big three are already taking pre-orders today, but we'd brace for a rather steep price premium -- they're all asking about $199 for the Q10 on a three-year contract, which is more expensive than many of the phone's touch-only rivals. BlackBerry hasn't outlined plans for the US or other countries yet, but we're hoping they get a slightly better deal.
Nokia teases QWERTY phone announcement on April 24th
Official teasers rarely provide much in the way of detail, but this one from Nokia at least comes with a pretty picture. It reveals the rounded design language we have come to associate with the company's latest feature phones, but with Z and Shift keys that imply we're looking at a physical QWERTY handset rather than a candy bar -- potentially something along the lines of the Asha 205. The picture is accompanied by a blog post confirming that this'll be a product from Nokia's Mobile Phones team rather than the folks behind Lumia, and that the announcement will happen at 7am GMT (3am ET) this Wednesday. The time zone is suggestive of an Asian or European launch, so it may or may not be worth setting your alarm clock.
BlackBerry 10 'R-Series' QWERTY images leak out, imply a Curve successor in the making
If BlackBerry's Z10 and QWERTY-keyboard equipped Q10 aren't enough for you, how about a successor to the venerable Curve series? This image popped up on the BlackBerryOS forums and purports to be an "R-Series" device that will fill the lower-end hole in the lineup, with 8GB storage, less RAM, the QWERTY keyboard you see and side mounted SIM and SD card slots. Meanwhile, BlackBerry Empire has posted a diagram of the supposed device which shows off the externally accessed ports and suggests a $300 - $400 off-contract price. The screen's blurred edges can be explained by the placement of serial numbers seen on earlier BlackBerry 10 developer units, however we may not know if there's truth to this rumor until the supposed Q3 / Q4 release window arrives.
The brutal, exaggerated death of the form factor phone
This year's Mobile World Congress is bound to be frenetic with phone news. That's why we're about to brave Barcelona's rain, airline strikes and pickpockets (no offense, dear BCN) in order to stay up to date. But if there's one aspect of mobile phones we're not counting on to provide much excitement, it's their fundamental physical design or form factor. We're in the grip of the monolith, the concrete slab, the plain rectangle, with its full touchscreen and a couple of buttons here and there, and that grip is so tight that even the pickpockets are slightly shocked when they haul in something with a physical QWERTY. But the point of this piece isn't merely to plot the decline of form factor diversity. It's actually to argue that the current monotony is probably only temporary, and that signs of a revival are already in the air. Read on and we'll do our utmost to convince you.
BlackBerry tries for patents on concertina-like keyboards in smartphones
When we think of hidden keyboards on our phones, our thoughts usually turn to thick sliders -- notwithstanding the occasional wacky twister. BlackBerry has filed for a pair of patents that would be even subtler by hiding the keys inside of a phone's main body. Looking somewhat like concertinas in practice, the concepts would pivot keys into place as the phone owner pulls out a retractable section to start typing. BlackBerry suggests it could work for both conventional smartphones (what you see above) as well as a not-entirely-practical design with keys on opposite sides of a display, much like a single-screen LG Doubleplay. We're not expecting BlackBerry to ship related products anytime soon when the Q10 represents its immediate future in hardware keyboards, but it's tough to rule out the ideas altogether when they could slim keyboarded phones without losing that coveted stealthiness. They might stand a better chance of reaching the market than some of BlackBerry's more outlandish experiments.
BlackBerry Q10 with physical keyboard given May-June release window for US
If you thought March was far away, be prepared to thumb your calendar to an even further date for the BlackBerry Q10. According to AP, CEO Thorsten Heins has said that the physical keyboard iteration of BlackBerry's new OS will arrive around 8-10 weeks after the Z10 makes its eventual appearance on American shores. Heins added that release dates would vary between the major carriers, but the company maintains that the Q10 will arrive in other markets (likely including parts of Europe) some time in April. Guess we'll hold onto our aging Bold until then.
BlackBerry reveals new Dev Alpha C handset with physical keyboard
Today BlackBerry unveiled an update to its SDK and debuted the QWERTY-sporting Dev Alpha C handset at its Jam event in Amsterdam to help coders build apps for BB devices with physical keyboards. It also announced the WebWorks SDK, which will support apps for the recently launched Blackberry Q10 handset. The software kit will let physical keyboards work "just as if (input) came from the virtual keyboard on a BlackBerry Z10" touchscreen device, according to the blog, letting devs create applications for both with "very little effort." The new handset will join BlackBerry's Dev Alpha B model for touchscreen smartphones and the freshly announced red Special Edition Z10. Want more info? See the sources below.
BlackBerry Q10 hands-on
Forget the all-touch Z10 for a moment. This here is RIM's BlackBerry's other BB 10 device -- the BlackBerry Q10. As you can tell from its alphanumeric moniker, that single letter is a nod towards the handset's physical leanings. That's right, it's a hybrid touch / physical QWERTY model and one that diehard BlackBerry fans won't only be more familiar with, but potentially more willing to embrace with open palms. With a 720 x 720 Super AMOLED 3.1-inch display, the Q10's screen is slightly larger than its touch-hybrid predecessor, the Bold 9930, and sports a much tighter pixel density of 328ppi (BlackBerry claims the display is 360ppi, which doesn't jibe with our math). The screen itself is plenty bright and contrasty with incredible viewing angles. We didn't notice any of the telltale blue-tinge typical of AMOLED implementations, but the overtly blue lighting around us might have helped mask those shortcomings. The steel band around the middle and "glass weave" backplate actually gave the device a pleasantly premium feel in our hands. It was solid, well-shaped and smooth to the touch without being plasticky. The 1.5GHz dual-core CPU and 2GB of RAM keep the device humming along quite smoothly. It reacted almost instantaneously to input with no hiccups. The smaller screen size did make touch input seem a little less natural, but the ability to just start typing and search or perform actions (such as sending an email) more than made up for the slightly cramped confines. The 10.3mm-thick body does feel slightly chunky when compared to its all-touch sibling the Z10, and downright brick-like next to a svelte beauty like the Galaxy S III, but its short stout shape will fit in your pocket and palm with equal ease. At 139g, it does pack some heft, but we dont see that as a bad thing. The phone feels like it means business -- something we can't say for some of its plasticky Android competitors. For more, check out the gallery below and the video after the break.
BlackBerry Q10 official with keyboard, 3.1-inch display (update: may hit US in April)
BlackBerry (formerly RIM) has just unveiled the BlackBerry 10 device that, let's face it, many of the faithful really want: the keyboard-equipped Q10. It mates the QWERTY hardware input that BlackBerry fans have known and loved while including a 3.1-inch AMOLED touchscreen, a 1.5GHz dual-core processor and 2GB of RAM. Yes, it will have LTE, and there's already confirmed plans from AT&T, Sprint, Verizon and Canadian providers to carry it -- though there's no firm release date or pricing. Check our hands-on with the Q10 for early impressions. Update: During a post-event Q&A, Thorsten Heins said that we could likely expect the Q10 to reach the US sometime in April.
Samsung's possible Galaxy M Pro sequel poses for the camera, may hang on to Android 4.0
Samsung's Galaxy M Pro is one of the few widely distributed, fixed-QWERTY smartphones available for the Android world, but cutting edge it's not: the messaging phone originally shipped with Android 2.3 just as 4.0 was about to take center stage. It may be nearing a sorely needed update. Blog of Mobile has followed up a June FCC filing for an unannounced GT-B7810 with some purported details and photos for the same device. Most of the change is reflected on the outside: aside from a similar 480 x 360 display, it could have a considerably fresher metal-effect design. The improvement on the inside is tougher to reckon. While there should be a 1,200mAh battery, HSPA 3G and a micro-SIM slot, the only major upgrade claimed here is the shift to Android 4.0, or just enough to stay on the trailing edge. That is, assuming the B7810 launches at all. Having spent more than half a year in limbo, the budget-focused phone may be out of step with the modern market unless there's a pre-release update in store.
RIM's keyboard-packing BlackBerry N-Series gets the Mr. Blurrycam treatment
Well, well, well, here's a holiday treat for the BlackBerry enthusiast in your life. CN Beta has a pair of enticing images purporting to be the forthcoming keyboard-packing N-Series from RIM. The picture of the back, sadly, is the sharper of the two, but the above shot still gives a pretty clear look at what may well be the BlackBerry 10 handset for those power users who just can't say goodbye to the world of physical keyboards. Either way, it won't be too long until we know for sure. In the meantime, we'll see you after the break for a view of what the back of such a device just might hold.
BlackBerry Patagonia 9620 leaks, says hola Nextel
BlackBerry 10 may be just around the bend, but it seems that's not going to stop RIM from launching a new handset. A leaked document posted by Crackberry has revealed the specs of the QWERTY-toting BlackBerry Patagonia 9620 -- there's BB OS 7.1 running the show with a 1.2GHz Qualcomm MSM8655 processor under the hood, mated with 768MB RAM. Par for the course, the display is a 2.44-inch, 480 x 360 affair, and you can also find 2GB of storage augmentable via microSD, a 5-megapixel rear snapper, GPS, WiFi and PTT support along for the ride -- if the source is to be believed. Info on pricing and the exact release date of the apparently budget smartphone is MIA as yet, but Nextel Mexico has it pegged for a December outing. You can sign up for a release notification if you're covered and can't curb your buying itch before BB10's entry-level offerings land.
Samsung Galaxy Stratosphere II sneakily goes up for sale at Verizon
When a carrier says it will ship a phone in the "coming weeks," there's usually a certain ritual involved: after weeks of waiting, we get a more definitive press release nailing down the ship date and price. Verizon isn't big on tradition, it seems. Just as many Americans settled down for Thanksgiving, the Samsung Galaxy Stratosphere II popped up for sale at Verizon's web store. The Android QWERTY slider is selling at its promised $130 contract price and costs $450 up front; about the only surprise left for the mid-range messaging phone is out-of-the-box Isis support for NFC-based mobile payments. There's talk at Android Central of customers who've already managed to snag the Stratosphere II at retail, although the timing is such that most Americans won't see one first-hand until they're recovering from a food coma.
Samsung Stratosphere II makes IRL appearance at Best Buy for $100
Remember the Samsung Stratosphere II that got all sorts of official the other day? Well, a little birdie just fed us a few more details to flesh out this tale, including our first pics of an actual device and not just some press renders. In addition to the QWERTY keyboard and dual-core 1.2GHz CPU, we can also tell you this guy sports 1GB of RAM, 8GB of internal storage and a 5 megapixel camera. If the paltry internal storage has you hemming and hawing, you can take solace in the microSD slot. The one spec that has us a tad concerned is the smallish 1,800mAh battery, but we'll reserve judgement there until we see it in action. Interestingly, the street date is blank in Best Buy's inventory system, so we have no idea when you'll be able to pick this guy up. Heck, it could be on shelves now in some stores, though we sincerely doubt that, as it's yet to make an appearance on Verizon's site. But, when it does you'll be able to snag one for $100 with a two-year contract, which is $30 less than the announced pricing from Big Red. Check out the gallery below for a bit more. %Gallery-170955% [Thanks, Anonymous]
iControlPad 2 gets funded, adds QWERTY keypad and smartphone mount
Product 3 LLC, the company behind the original iControlPad, has successfully funded a successor: folks, meet the iControlPad 2. While there isn't much to its name, the sequel boasts a handy QWERTY keypad along with an optional swivel-mount that you can attach to any smartphone. It works over either microUSB or Bluetooth, and true to its open-source roots, is said to support the Ouya, the Raspberry Pi and pretty much any other device you can throw at it. What's more, it can be programmed to control almost any app via its support for touchscreen mapping. There's still room for additional backers, so you could try to get a raw version for $69 or a boxed edition for $75 if you manage to pre-order in time. Let's just hope the sequel doesn't experience the same delays as its older sibling, especially given the $150,000-plus the company earned in its Kickstarter campaign. [Thanks, Craig]
LG Mach for Sprint hands-on (update: video)
The Motorola Photon Q just a little too pricey for your QWERTY-loving taste buds? Sprint's newest device, the LG Mach, was announced this morning at MobileCon 2012 to add another full physical keyboard option to its mid-range lineup. Despite the fact that its name doesn't contain the dreaded "4G LTE" moniker, it certainly still has the high-speed capability built-in. We still haven't been given the pricing or availability, aside from "this fall." This particular keyboard-clad handset isn't going to turn any heads in terms of specs, but they aren't lackluster either: 1.2GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4 MSM8960 processor, 1GB RAM, a 4-inch WVGA display, 1,700mAh battery, VGA front-facing cam, 5MP rear camera capable of 1080p video recording, Bluetooth 4.0 and Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. With a thickness of 12.1mm (0.48 inches), it's one of the thinnest QWERTY devices you can find on the market. It's also on the lighter side for the form factor, weighing in at 5.92 ounces (168g). Despite these dimensions and a faux-metal (read: plastic) battery cover, it feels surprisingly well-built. And just like Sprint's Optimus G and the Motorola Photon Q, you won't find any carrier-specific branding anywhere on the outside of the device -- unfortunately, you also won't see any SIM slots either, although you'll find a microSD slot to enhance the 8GB internal storage. Check out our gallery below, as well as our video and few last impressions past the break.
AT&T upgrades Samsung Captivate Glide to Android 4.0, keeps the QWERTY habit going
Hardware keyboard fans must feel like they're part of an endangered species -- there's greater uncertainty these days about software updates, let alone new smartphones. If you're part of that persecuted group, AT&T and Samsung have your back: they've just started rolling out Android 4.0 for the Captivate Glide. All of the features will be familiar if you've borrowed someone's Galaxy S II in the past few months, although it's hard to object to the better multitasking and support for Chrome. About the only catch is the need to use Kies to grab the update, but that's a small sacrifice we're sure many are willing to make.
Samsung Galaxy S Relay 4G announced, arriving at T-Mobile in the coming weeks
The rumors didn't lead us astray this time around: T-Mobile's latest QWERTY device, the Samsung Galaxy S Blaze Q Relay 4G has been officially announced. While we're still waiting to hear pricing and availability (aside from the usual "coming weeks," that is), we have confirmation that the 4-inch Super AMOLED device will offer ICS, HSPA+ 42Mbps connectivity and a 1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon S3 processor. Additionally, it has a 5MP rear camera, 1.3MP front-facing cam, 5-row keyboard and it's been certified for SAFE (Samsung Approved for Enterprise). We're still wrapping our brains around the name, but fortunately we have some time to do so before the device officially drops onto store shelves. Update: TmoNews has gotten word that the Relay 4G is actually carrying a Snapdragon S4 processor, not an S3. Enjoy the extra horsepower.
