The next BlackBerry smartphone, the BlackBerry KEY2 LE, was just unveiled at IFA in Berlin, and it’s exactly what we expected. Thanks to a slew of leaks earlier this month, we have confirmation that BlackBerry’s newest device is a more affordable variation of the under-appreciated KEY2, complete with the brand’s trademark physical QWERTY keyboard. At a glance, the KEY2 LE closely...
Years ago when I got my first job, I spent my first paycheck on a smartphone. I didn't go out and buy an iPhone or an Android device; I went with the BlackBerry Torch and its slide-out QWERTY keyboard. That turned out to be a bad choice as the smartphone didn't age well, and as soon as my contract allowed me to, I upgraded to an iPhone. Regardless of the bad experience, I've had a soft...
After weeks of rumors and leaks, the BlackBerry KEY2 is finally official. The latest phone from TCL to carry the iconic BlackBerry brand name may not set the world on fire when it comes to bleeding edge specs, but it is sure to make brand loyalists more than a bit happy. The product line has never really been about the hardware, but be that as it may, the BlackBerry KEY2 sports a...
TCL thinks the physical keyboard deserves a place in the mobile industry even today. It appears to be planning the release of a successor to the KeyOne, referring to the upcoming phone internally as the Athena. Like last year’s flagship, the Athena will include a physical keyboard in addition to a touch-enabled display. There will, of course, be various upgrades to make it current....
BlackBerry only develops software these days, but some companies around the world have picked up the brand's identity to sell hardware with the name attached. Right now there are a small number of licensees. TCL is the most notable, rolling out the KeyOne, Motion, and DTEK despite minimal involvement from BlackBerry itself. The company has actually gone as far as creating a BlackBerry...
My four-year-old asked me recently why I change phones so often. I told him it's because I review them, and then he asked how many I've reviewed over the years. So, thanks to a bout with insomnia I counted. Ladies and gentlemen of the Herd, I have reviewed 317 phones and tablets. Not even going to lie, I was shocked, and kinda felt old, but the exercise did get me thinking, what are my...
BlackBerry on Tuesday filed a lawsuit against Facebook alleging the social media giant (along with Instagram and WhatsApp) infringed on its intellectual property. In particular, BlackBerry claims Facebook co-opted the former smartphone-maker's mobile messaging technology, using features such as battery-efficient statues updates, integrated mobile messaging in games, and other user...
BlackBerry’s fall from grace was very abrupt. Once upon a time, it was the king of smartphones before its arrogance paved the way for the duopoly of iPhone and Android. Eventually, TCL snagged the rights to sell BlackBerry branded devices, signaling the end of an era. That fall is best illustrated in BlackBerry’s latest so-called accomplishment: shipping a pathetic amount of KeyOne...
The halcyon days of BlackBerry are dead. In their place is the staggered release of devices made by different manufacturers. The newest BlackBerry device being made is by Optiemus Infracom, an Indian telecommunications giant. Going under the name Ghost, this new device looks like a true modern day flagship. VentureBeats’ Evan Blass provided the first glimpse of the device. The image...
TCL’s latest mid-range phone for BlackBerry just went on sale in the United States. The Motion, which launched late last year in select countries, is now available through two popular U.S. retailers. Amazon and Best Buy have signed on to sell the Motion nationwide. Both retailers have their listings live and ready to go, but Amazon oddly doesn’t have any units in...