Is Blackberry making a slider phone that runs Android?

[darkswordsman17]

I do think it is probably the most interesting Android phone in years, hope it lives up to its potential. Design reminds me of Nokia (a good thing). I'd strongly consider it, but if it's expensive then I'd have a really hard time justifying it over the new Nexus devices.

Waiting to see how it and the Lumia 950/XL turn out, as they seem the most interesting devices to me this year. I somewhat have a hunch that they might both suffer from the same issue, and that being that they're good devices, but the software won't quite be where it needs to at launch (and that will probably doom them). I'd like to be pleasantly surprised, and Blackberry will have to prove they'll provide good timely Android updates (if nothing other than just security).

 

[bonkers325]

http://shop.blackberry.com/store/bb...|priv_pre_reg|device_sales|us|en|shopbb|lpos2

$699 on pre-order... yea... no thanks. I'll admit I love BlackBerry as a brand and really like what the phone can offer, but I've been burned by BlackBerry before on their initial foray into touch screen smartphones. Unless there are more compelling reasons (other than the keyboard) to buy the phone, I will have to pass until there are deep discounts on the phone.

 

[deathBOB]

I think the price is fair for the brand, unique hardware keyboard, and custom security software.

 

[Ravynmagi]

I'm sure it's a nice phone. But I'm still kinda scratching my head that Blackberry keeps making these odd and seemingly very niche products instead of trying to make something that might have more mainstream appeal. But if it's working, then good for them.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

http://forums.crackberry.com/blackberry-priv-f440/priv-simulator-1044381/


OK, now I am wanting this more.

 

[WelshBloke]

But if it's working, then good for them.

Problem is that it isn't working that well for them. They are this | | close to going bust.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Problem is that it isn't working that well for them. They are this | | close to going bust.

And you are this close | ....................................... | to being ale to read a financial report.

Total Liabilities: $4.3B
Current Assets: $5.8B

All they need to do is burn $1.5B and ya .... "bust".

That would take years at $100s of million in negative FCF. Hrmm ...

Last four quarters of FCF:
$44M
$161M
$112M
$80M

Wait ... ummm. Wait

Geee .... they are totally screwed.

 

[WelshBloke]

 And you are this close |                                              | to being ale to read a financial report.

Obviously I am wrong and BB are a healthy company with an ever increasing market share and rocketing revenues.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Obviously I am wrong and BB are a healthy company with an ever increasing market share and rocketing revenues.

Your comment could be less sarcastic. See my updated post for your self ownage.

Companies that are going broke always run around make $400 million acquisitions. From less than a month ago:
http://techcrunch.com/2015/09/04/blackberry-goes-shopping-again-buys-good-technology/

Don't worry. Your self idiocy is no different than everyone else that has said that Blackberry is going under ... for the past 3 years.

 

[WelshBloke]

Your comment could be less sarcastic. See my updated post for your self ownage.

Companies that are going broke always run around make $400 million acquisitions. From less than a month ago:
http://techcrunch.com/2015/09/04/blackberry-goes-shopping-again-buys-good-technology/

Don't worry. Your self idiocy is no different than everyone else that has said that Blackberry is going under ... for the past 3 years.

How's that market share again?
I'd look it up but none of the graphs I could find had a large enough scale for the BB market share to be readable.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

How's that market share again?
I'd look it up but none of the graphs I could find had a large enough scale for the BB market share to be readable.

And that is why you shouldn't discuss BlackBerry financials. You don't even know:
1) It is cash rich
2) It is making money
3) how it is making money

 

[Artdeco]

How's that market share again?
I'd look it up but none of the graphs I could find had a large enough scale for the BB market share to be readable.

You've heard of putting lipstick on a pig?

 

[darkswordsman17]

And that is why you shouldn't discuss BlackBerry financials. You don't even know:
1) It is cash rich
2) It is making money
3) how it is making money

This. People need to stop thinking of Blackberry as a complete ecosystem hardware/software company. Seems like the only reason they still have Blackberry OS is because they've put in most of the work already and have enough competent software developers that it's not a major issue for them to work it into a decent GUI. Honestly, it seems like they might put every other Android OEM to shame with their first foray into Android speaking from the software angle. They might even upstage Google (I think it is telling that Google is working to get Blackberry to improve Android itself).

I think Microsoft and Blackberry are both transforming monumentally (and in my opinion in positive ways), while people keep harping on phone marketshare.

I think Blackberry is taking the correct path, a measured approach to Android and end devices in general. I could even see where Blackberry becomes like a staple Nexus company for Google, on like a "Pro" level device.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

I think BB10 was supposed to last for 10 years. At this point, I think it is a bridge to Android. If Blackberry Android devices represent 90% of Blackberry's hardware they will ultimately abandon BB10. Time will tell.

 

[poofyhairguy]

I think Blackberry is taking the correct path, a measured approach to Android and end devices in general. I could even see where Blackberry becomes like a staple Nexus company for Google, on like a "Pro" level device.

That is the definition of getting ahead of ourselves.

With that said, I can see the Priv being a success for BlackBerry. NO ONE in Androidland has made a business phone for businesses. Samsung and all the Knox stuff really is second class to what Apple and iOS provides.

If Blackberry can find a way to be THE Android business phone then they have a bright future. The consumer market is dead for them.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Interesting happenings on reddit.

Highlights here:
http://forums.crackberry.com/showthread.php?t=1045097

I now want this phone a little more. All the little things that make bb10 great seam to be coming to the priv!

 

[dawheat]

Looks like an interesting phone and a worthy addition to the Android ecosystem. As others have said, it could make for a unique business-centric Android phone.

There are some headwinds I do see:

- width and weight are a bit much for a phone with this display size. It's not going to be a one-handed use phone.
- I doubt the camera will be near the top of the Android world, especially with the S7 coming out in a few months that will likely elevate above the S6 camera
- companies who have recently weaned off BB may be hesitant to add another vendor when supporting Apple for sure and probably Samsung handsets

That being said, I do think this is going to sell well enough to give BB a maintainable niche, though they'll won't challenge for market share in any meaningful way. If anything, I could see this making them an increasingly attractive acquisition for a big player.

 

[WelshBloke]

This thing is getting some seriously mixed reviews.

Some reviews are saying "Android phone of the year!" and some are "FAIL!!!".

Tis weird, hopefully some consensus will appear when the retail versions get reviewed.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

We'll have to wait till actual people have it in their hands.

 

[3chordcharlie]

This thing is getting some seriously mixed reviews.

Some reviews are saying "Android phone of the year!" and some are "FAIL!!!".

Tis weird, hopefully some consensus will appear when the retail versions get reviewed.

It is definitely not going to be the Android phone of the year.

The question is: will it be a better Blackberry?

Since the best features of Blackberry10 are baked into the OS (quick settings, Hub, gesture navigation), I have my doubts.

 

[desura]

The thing about tech reviewers is that...they end up being like music critics. They go through so much tech that they become really sensitive to subtle little differences. Most people have room for...one phone...in their lives. put any of us in a room with this phone and we'd all be pretty impressed and happy with it as a daily driver I bet.

 

[WelshBloke]

It is definitely not going to be the Android phone of the year.

I'd be inclined to agree with you there.

The question is: will it be a better Blackberry?

It'll be a more popular blackberry, and I guess that that's what's important to blackberry.

Since the best features of Blackberry10 are baked into the OS (quick settings, Hub, gesture navigation), I have my doubts.

Depends on what you want out of it I guess. If it's a 'true' blackberry experience then I suppose that it's not for you but so few people seem to want to buy the 'true' blackberry experience I can't blame them for trying something else.

 

[desura]

What is kind of perplexing is that there's no fingerprint reader. I'd think that for a privacy-focused device like this, a fingerprint scanner would be integral. Definitely more important than putting in a screen with higher rez than my desktop.

 

[WelshBloke]

What is kind of perplexing is that there's no fingerprint reader. I'd think that for a privacy-focused device like this, a fingerprint scanner would be integral. Definitely more important than putting in a screen with higher rez than my desktop.

I don't really get the privacy thing.

How is this any more private than any other android phone? Does it give you the granular permissions of ios or marshmallow?

You leak a damn sight more information through app permissions than any other way.

 

[3chordcharlie]

I'd be inclined to agree with you there.
It'll be a more popular blackberry, and I guess that that's what's important to blackberry.
Depends on what you want out of it I guess. If it's a 'true' blackberry experience then I suppose that it's not for you but so few people seem to want to buy the 'true' blackberry experience I can't blame them for trying something else.

Most people have no idea what the current 'Blackberry experience' is, unfortunately.

Although the writing has been on the while for a while, I'm really not looking forward to being forced to iOS or Android. Strictly for managing communication, I would prefer a blackberry curve over the latest android, without hesitation.

I'm obviously in the minority though, BBM died and people went back to brutal, primitive SMS. I never thought that would happen.