BlackBerry, who was once a renowned brand, is trying to revive their lost fame and identity. This time, they are trying get in the competition of smartphones by introducing a phone that runs the most popular operating system, Android. BlackBerry is all set to make their new phone, BlackBerry Priv, available to sale that runs Android 5.1.1. BlackBerry is looking to play on their strength, i.e. security and privacy. It is a well known fact that Android has a number of loopholes that makes it quite vulnerable regarding security and the company is looking to exploit it.
BlackBerry has not ditched their traditional QWERTY keyboard; instead they have equipped the phone with a slider. It means, Android users who miss the old days of keyboards can slide it down and use it for typing purpose. The keyboard is also touch sensitive for cursor and scrolling, thus, you can use it as a trackpad as well. Whereas, if you are comfortable with the orthodox touch keypad, you can use it for your purpose. Apart from the slider, the BlackBerry Priv has an 18 MP rear camera with dual flash certified by Schneider-Kreuznach and a 2 MP front camera. The phone has a dual curved screen made out of Corning Gorilla Glass 4. The 5.4-inch OLED has a resolution of 2,560 x 1,440 and a pixel density of 540ppi that makes the display crisper.
The phone has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 processor and a 3GB RAM that gives it a much needed processing speed. The processor is not the latest one, but, it is the same that is used by LG G4, which is surely a wonderful device. Moreover, Priv has a 32 GB built-in memory that can be expanded up to 2 TB via Micro SD card. Plus, it also offers a decent battery time of around 22.5 hours and also it supports Quick Charge 2.0, so you can charge it in a jiffy.
BlackBerry has largely focused on making their Android device a secure as their previous phones. For the purpose, the BlackBerry Hub is included that brings all the messages into one field, similar to other BlackBerry messaging apps like BBM. The company has engineered specialized software for Android, known as DTEK, will notify users when their privacy will be at risk, it also offers some other security features. Users will have the freedom to decide which apps on their phone are utilizing camera, microphone, contacts and other features or information to function. Thus, they will know the threats better.
BlackBerry has already uploaded some of the apps on the official Android app store, Google Play. Those apps are incompatible with other Android phones, resultantly; no other users other than the Priv users can download them. It includes apps for keyboard, camera, a launcher and services. Keeping the vulnerable situation of hacking and data theft in view, users will be able to keep all their passwords in Password Keeper, which is carefully secured with encryption by BlackBerry- the app. The app can import all the respective information of loyal BlackBerry users who are currently moving to Android.
Keeping security and privacy as their top most priority, the company has promised to update their software every now and then to neutralize new vulnerabilities and loopholes that they will find. If they are able to fulfill their promise, it will be the first thing that will put BlackBerry a class apart from their contemporaries. They are also using patented picture-login in their first Android phone as they have previously used in BlackBerry 10 OS 10.2.1, it is an easy login method, but, tough to crack it. It is something Android users need at the moment. According to the company, they haveperformed extensive surgery, they have tried to operate and cure the OS against all the threats of data security and hacking.
BlackBerry has made it secure and equipped the phone with a multiple of handy features, but, it looks like they have priced it a bit too high. BlackBerry Priv costs $700 in United States, which is much pricier than the Samsung Galaxy S6 edge. The revival of the company heavily depends on this phone which will be available in markets by November 6. There is no doubt that BlackBerry has always offered quality and never compromised on it. But, it would be difficult for them to convince users to buy a BlackBerry phone and that too paying such an expansive price. It will be interesting to see that whether Priv gets able to save the sinking ship of BlackBerry or sinks with it.