Category: Blackberry

BlackBerry’s Nostalgia-Inducing Classic Arrives in India on 15th January

The Canadian telecommunication giant BlackBerry was on the verge of disappearing, but its last year’s release BlackBerry Passport bought the company some time. The last month’s release BlackBerry Classic received a lukewarm response from the international audience and now, it is set to launch in the Indian subcontinent.

According to a recent disclosure, it is confirmed that the company will roll out the Classic in India on 15^th of this month. BlackBerry has sent out the media invites for the launch of the phone which reads, “Join us to witness the unveiling of the new BlackBerry 10.” The text is followed by another statement, “Serious Mobility for Serious Business.”

As far as its specifications are concerned, the Classic flaunts a 3.5-inch display with 720×720 pixels resolution. The device is powered by a 1.5GHz Snapdragon S4 dual-core processor and comes along with 2 GB of RAM. The handset runs on the company’s own software BB OS 10, but provides access to Google Play Store and Amazon app store. On the camera front, it sports an 8MP rear snapper along with a 2MP shooter upfront to capture selfies. The phone gets its juice from a 2,512mAh battery. However, there is no word about its price, it is expected to cost somewhere around Rs. 30,000.

The CEO of the company, John Chen, stated that the firm will focus on the business and will not come with a lot many devices. John commented:

BlackBerry will launch fewer devices and focus on profitability.

As it’s clearly evident from the picture itself, the company has moved back to its roots with the reintroduction of the QWERTY keypad. The firm earlier tried its hands in the touch screen arena with the BlackBerry Z3 announced in May 2014, but failed to make a mark in the crowded smartphone market.

As BlackBerry has restored its look with the new Classic, it’s likely to get a good response from its fans. Check out the video below to get an insite of the phone:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QR9mz12NdEY

January 7, 2015
Back to the Basics : BlackBerry Goes Retro with the Launch of ‘The Classic’

Struggling phone manufacturer Blackberry today officially announced ‘The Classic’, probably a last throw of the dice to save the company going into complete oblivion. The company has high hopes from the newly launched Blackberry classic, which sports a full QWERTY keypad mirroring the design which made Blackberry a market leader during its heyday. Notably, the Classic is significantly smaller than the BlackBerry Passport, which the company launched earlier this year . The Classic is aimed at customers looking for that original BlackBerry experience.

The phone sports a 3.5 inch square touchscreen with a resolution of 720×720 pixels, unlike the 4.5 inch screen of the Passport. Thus, it makes for easy one handed usage with the physical QWERTY on-board. On the inside, the phone will be powered by a dual-core Qualcomm processor bundled with 2GB of RAM. Hence, the phone is not meant for running those high-end gaming titles, but more for browsing and surfing.

In addition, the phone also sports an 8MP primary camera along with a 2 MP front cam. The Classic runs on the BlackBerry 10 OS, though it can also run Android apps which are accessible via Amazon’s Appstore which come pre-loaded on the device. Along with that, the Canadian manufacturer has added the BrickBreaker game on the Classic, which should encourage the BlackBerry fans.

Though, the Classic may not appeal to today’s digital savvy generation; as it’s made for people who long for the retro BlackBerry experience. The company says ‘The Classic’ is available starting today “through local carriers around the world,” and AT&T and Verizon have confirmed they will sell the device in 2015, though carrier pricing has yet to be announced. The Classic is also available unlocked through BlackBerry and Amazon’s online stores for $449.

As of now, there’s no information regarding The Classic’s price and availability in India, stay tuned with iGyaan to know when and at what price this device will enter Indian soil.

December 18, 2014
BlackBerry is Paying You Up to $550 to Give Up Your iPhone

If the tech industry worked solely on the basis of efforts, BlackBerry would have been on the top right now. Anyhow, that’s not the case and the company has been struggling to revive its ancient glory. BlackBerry has been trying to push it’s new flagship smartphone, the Passport, into the market and has tried many marketing strategies to meet the goal.

In a desperate attempt to sell the Passport, the Canadian company’s has been thinking creatively to try and bring back the lost customers to other competitors in the mobile space such as Google and Apple. The company has launched a new marketing strategy called Trade-Up Program which intends to woo phone users to trade in their devices for its flagship smartphone, the Passport.

If you are ready to exchange your iPhone, BlackBerry will give you up to $550. All you have to show is a proof that you have purchased of a BlackBerry Passport. If qualified, payments will then be made via Visa Prepaid Card. BlackBerry is ready to exchange iPhone 4s, 5c, 5s and 6 for up to $550. The offer, which is only available in the US and Canada, is valid from 1st December to 13th February, 2015.

The BlackBerry Passport is a solid option if you are interested in the trademark, BlackBerry keyboard, and the weird square display doesn’t bother you. Interested? Don’t forget to read the Term and Conditions first.

November 27, 2014
QWERTY Keyboard-Equipped BlackBerry Classic Up For Pre-Orders in the US

BlackBerry is going back to its roots. In the age of generic bar-shaped smartphones, the company is trying to attract users with the good old days feel. With the release of Passport, the company has made it clear that it will give their most successful form factor a second chance. Now the Passport was a unique device with features unheard of before. But BlackBerry’s Classic promises the goods of yesteryear for people who long for a different user experience.

The Classic will remind you of the era of BlackBerry Bold. The phone is now available for pre-orders in America. It is currently priced at $450 for an unlocked version. The shipments are supposed to start by mid-December.

What is really peculiar though is that BlackBerry hasn’t yet released any other information or specs of the device. The company got people excited about the Passport by showing off its unique 1440X1440 resolution square display. This time around, there was no such revelations. Considering it’s trying to make a comeback, BlackBerry should have released some sneak peeks by now. All we know right now is how the phone looks based on a leak on a Chinese website.

It is expected that BlackBerry Classic is expected to be powered by a 1.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 processor with 2 GB of RAM. To provide the classic appeal, the phone has a 3.5-inch screen coupled with a QWERTY keyboard.

Considering the speed at which BlackBerry brought the Passport to India, you can expect the Classic to show up soon in this part of the world. We’ll let you know of the future plans of BlackBerry right here at iGyaan. Keep checking back.

November 14, 2014
To Strengthen Android Security, Samsung Partners With Blackberry

Smartphones are not just a communication device anymore. They are business gadgets and a storage for tons of personal information. With the number of revelations of hacking and stealing content from users phones and cloud account, security of the smartphones has become an important topic of discussion amongst all stakeholders. Samsung has decided to step up its game on security and has partnered with Blackberry for the effort.

Samsung’s own Knox was reported to have a flaw that apparently left the system ‘completely compromised.’ Here Blackberry can come really useful as it has been unanimously praised for having one of the best enterprise security.

This will also be a good opportunity for Blackberry to share the limelight with the global consumer electronics giant. Blackberry has had serious issues in the recent past with the rapid decline in sales.

Blackberry will provide its expertise to enhance the performance of Samsung’s Knox system. It will integrate its BES12 end-to-end encryption system with Samsung’s Knox. The offspring of this alliance will be introduced early next year.

The security option is essential for corporate and government sectors as they deal in sensitive information. These sectors also consume massive inventories from the companies so it would be important for Samsung to convince them of its security standard.

November 14, 2014
BBM Brings Snapchat-Like Multiple Features With its New Update

BlackBerry’s propriety messaging system BBM (BlackBerry Messenger) has been one of the most successful messaging apps. The company has even introduced versions for other operating systems. At this time, when the company is struggling to hold back its position in the market, it’s natural that they are bringing new features to their most visible product.

BlackBerry has added several features to the new version of BBM. This includes Snapchat-like time-limited messaging attribute. It allows you to send an image or message, and set the amount of time you want it to be visible to the other person. The application will even send you notifications if the other person takes a snapshot of that picture or the message.

Other upgrades include message retraction, timed messages, HD image transfer, and many more. The message retraction will come really handy for folks who compulsively and erroneously hit the send key, and also for drunk texters who can swiftly act when they gain some senses and get rid of that embarrassing message or pic they have previously sent.

It seems like BlackBerry went into a full ‘get-inspired’ mode, and it borrowed features from several major apps and made one unified app. It also has a Skype-like feature where you can see what your contacts are listening to or watching.

The app will be available for download for BlackBerry, iPhone and Android users. But all these awesomeness come at a price. The features like timed messages and message retraction will be free only for the first three months, after which you’d have to pay for them. This will be a major challenge for the company as users already have free access to all these features through other apps. BlackBerry wants to eventually provide a BBM subscription service that comes bundled with all the multiple features it has introduced with this update.

So, this seems like a great app to have which gives almost all the features of all the messaging apps combined. You can either keep using all the free apps that crowd your phone or you can just pay a premium for one unified app. That is for you to decide.

November 1, 2014
BlackBerry to Bring QWERTY Back with the New ‘Q20’ Classic

BlackBerry, once the definition of a smartphone, has lost most of its market since the advancement of Apple and Google’s mobile ecosystems. It tried its hand at touchscreen phones but didn’t manage to create a whole lot of buzz. It seems like, in a desperate attempt to stay valid in the touchscreen era, BlackBerry is going back to its roots. The company will be releasing the new BlackBerry ‘Q20’ Classic, which will take it back to the ‘Bold’ era.

BlackBerry’s recent and unique release, the BlackBerry Passport, has given an inclination to go back to its traditional looks. Passport’s square display received mixed reviews but was appreciated for the unique features like the touch-enabled touchpad that lets you scroll through the pages with ease.

Passport received mix reviews but was appreciated for its unique features.

The ‘Q20’ Classic is expected to release later this year. The device will come with nostalgic features such as a top row of navigation keys and a trackpad. The phone will run on the BlackBerry 10 OS and will have a bigger screen than its predecessors. The company also claimed that their application catalog has grown over the years.

The company still has a steady following in the enterprise and government segment. These are the folks who want maximum utility off their devices so that the gadgets can assist them in their busy schedule.

BlackBerry’s CEO, John S. Chen, recently published an open letter for the loyal BlackBerry users to create a buzz for the upcoming Classic. Chen said in the letter, “It’s tempting in a rapidly changing, rapidly growing mobile market to change for the sake of change – to mimic what’s trendy and match the industry-standard, kitchen-sink approach of trying to be all things to all people. But there’s also something to be said for the classic adage, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.” This statement signaled their return to their original design philosophy.

October 30, 2014
Lenovo Reportedly Bidding to Acquire BlackBerry

Blackberry was once a device of choice for major celebrities and business professionals alike. Now after the emergence of the touch-screen revolution, it has found it hard to cope with the competition. Even though its features have been well appreciated, there have been fewer takers of its devices every quarter.

Now Lenovo, the Chinese company which has gobbled up some iconic business such as IBM’s workstation and Motorola Mobility, is now making a bid to acquire the Canadian firm. Benzinga claims that Lenovo might put forward the bid as early as this week.

The company is expected to make the starting bid of $15.00 per share and is expected to be closed at around $18.00 per share. BlackBerry shares have been hovering around the $9 mark, and this would seem like a profitable option for the company’s shareholders.

Lenovo had previously made a bid for BlackBerry last year. It was though blocked by the Canadian government. One of the major causes cited for the block was that Lenovo is a Chinese company, and the government didn’t want any mobile infrastructure falling into the hands of a Chinese Company.

Though it is unsure whether the Canadian government will allow a merger this time around. It sure will be a long process to convince the government the security of data. It is especially a concern because Blackberry is still used by entrepreneurial and government officials. They deal with sensitive data, and it might be a cause of concern for everyone using the device. This is a developing story, and we’ll keep our eyes on it. Come back for more.

October 21, 2014
Blackberry Releases the Passport in India for Rs. 49,990

The Blackberry Passport, which was launched just a few days back in the international market, has now been launched in India. The device has a one of kind square display and flaunts top of the line specs.

The smartphone will be available for pre-order from today at BlackBerry exclusive stores and Amazon.in. The folks who book the Passport between today and October 10 will get a gift voucher worth Rs 5,000 on Amazon as well as 5,000 frequent flyer miles on Jet Airways.

The 4.5 inch square display is the USP of the device

The most prominent feature of the device is the 4.5 inch square display. It has a display resolution of 1440x1440p and a pixel density of 453 ppi. It features a 10 point multi-touch and is protected with Corning Gorilla Glass 3.

The device also comes with three-row QWERTY keyboard that gives users more typing accuracy and is also touch-enabled. It’s responsive to touch so the user can scroll web pages, flick to type or slide along the keys to move the cursor.

It is powered by a 2.26 GHz Snapdragon 800, quad-core processor and has 3 GB RAM, equivalent of the Note 4. The internal memory stands at 32 GB and is expandable up to 128 GB. The device also has NFC for mobile payment and file transfer.

The Passport runs on BlackBerry’s new BlackBerry 10.3 operating system and also features a Siri-like voice assistant. The device is priced at Rs. 49,990 and is competitive and justified for the features it offers. The phone might easily find customers in the corporate or government sectors or even from folks looking for a different mobile experience.

September 29, 2014
Blackberry Bets Big With the New High Specced Passport

A while back, Blackberry was synonymous with smartphones. It is common knowledge that on Secret Service’s direction, President Obama had to take the tough decision of quitting his Blackberry when he came to office. But now the company has lost that edge. iPhones and Android smartphones have taken over the market leaving just a tiny gap for others to squeeze through. Blackberry is now taking a major chance with the new Passport, which it hopes will bring back the lost glory of the company.

The 4.5-inch square-shaped Blackberry Passport is the company’s first major release in over two years. The square shaped screen with QWERTY keyboard is an attempt by the company to bring back corporate and government consumers. The phone was released simultaneously in Toronto, London and Dubai.

The Passport’s 4.5 inch screen has a resolution of 1440×1440 with a pixel density of 453 ppi, which sounds like an excellent display. It features 10 points multi-touch and is protected with Corning Gorilla Glass 3.

Its processing capabilities are handled by a 2.26 GHz Snapdragon 800, quad-core processor. The device has 3 GB RAM, equivalent of the Note 4. The internal memory stands at 32 GB and is expandable up to 128 GB. The device also has NFC for mobile payment and file transfer.

The phone looks classy on the back.

The main camera on the Passport is a 13 MP shooter while the front camera is a 2MP shooter. It comes with a massive battery of 3450 mAh which will probably keep it going for a couple of days, thereby being a good companion for the executive on the move.

Blackberry claims the physical keyboard gives users more typing accuracy and is also touch-enabled. It’s responsive to touch so the user can scroll web pages, flick to type or slide along the keys to move the cursor.

The Passport will cost $599 (about Rs. 36,400) without a contract. If they plan on bringing it to India, it will be at least a Rs. 40,000 plus device. At the price, it will still be cheaper than most of the flagships in the market.

Overall the passport sounds like a great device on paper but we are a little suspicious of the square display. While widescreen is the norm of the day, it will be interesting to see how this crucial bet by Blackberry pays off.

September 25, 2014
Design of Blackberry’s Next Smartphone to Go Back to Basics

The advance of Android and iOS in the Smartphone market is unique. The speed of their conquering of the market can only be compared to Alexander, luckily it’s not fast enough to be compared with ISIS. But in the midst is a company which was seen as a precursor to the smartphone, but has now lost much of that sheen. The company is trying hard to stay relevant in the times when the app stores of two major giants is filling up, and more third party devices are being developed each day for those OS’s. Here Blackberry seems to believe that its classic appeal will be its saving grace.

Blackberry’s new Classic phone is about to hit the market, and that’s what the leaked images from Weibo by DT BlackBerry (via CrackBerry) seem to infer. The phone seems like a bigger version of the Q10, and it doesn’t seem light on the spec front either. The leaked images show the phone being compared to the BlackBerry Q10 and the BlackBerry 9900.

The specs are not clear as of yet, but the phone is said to be powered by a 1.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 processor with 2 GB of RAM. To provide the classic appeal, the phone has a 3.5 inch screen coupled with a QWERTY keyboard.

The leakster didn’t just stop there; they went ahead and showcased the image quality of the camera in the leak along with how the phones look. The camera does seem to be better that that of its predecessor and has more natural color reproduction.

The folks at Crackberry say that the phone might be launched by November. Meanwhile Blackberry’s other audacious release, the Blackberry Passport is expected to be launched this September 24 with simultaneous events in Dubai, London and Toronto.

It will be interesting to see how the markets respond to Blackberry’s revisit of its classic look. The passport does show some promise as it’s a one of kind device and has some impressive specs. Blackberry needs to make a unique market for itself if it wants to survive the brutal game which has already lost a titan called Nokia.

September 9, 2014
Blackberry Slashes the Price on its QWERTY Smartphones

The Canadian handset maker, Blackberry’s numbers have been tumbling since the last few year. The company is going through rough patch these days, which can be further sensed with the recent drop of the prices of their QWERTY devices – 9320, 9720 and Q5 – by as much as Rs 6,000.

Blackberry Q5

The BlackBerry 9320 is essentially a 3G variant of the 9220, and was launched for Rs 15,499. With this price cut, the BlackBerry 9320 becomes the cheapest 3G-enabled QWERTY device in BlackBerry’s portfolio.

Sameer Bhatia, Director, Distribution, BlackBerry, India, said, “The classic BlackBerry Keyboard, re-engineered for the fast efficient navigation and one-handed use, has huge fan base who swear by the distinct typing experience that BlackBerry offers. These compelling price-points will enable QWERTY fans to experience the latest technology and ease of use in one device.

Blackberry 9320

The BlackBerry 9720 was launched last year for Rs 15,990 and after the price slash will retail at Rs 11,990. The Q5, on the other hand, was launched for Rs 24,990 last year. It got a 20 percent price cut at the beginning of the year, which brought the price down to Rs 19,990, and with the latest cut, the price tag is down to Rs 13,990.

These compelling price-points will enable QWERTY fans to experience the latest technology and ease of use in one device. BlackBerry’s special offer comes shortly after the company launched its Z3 smartphone for Rs. 15,990. The company has previously used price drop model to push sales of its devices.

Earlier when the company slashed prices of its devices like Z30 and Z10 under special offers, the response they got was phenomenal, often resulting in stocks running out.

July 23, 2014
BlackBerry’s Personal Assistant is Here To Take On Siri

By Pranav Arora

BlackBerry seriously needs to pull up its sleeves now. The smartphone market is slowly but surely being taken over by the three Silicon Valley giants – Apple, Google and Microsoft. BlackBerry needs to catch up. It needs to aim for the fourth position and give the market competitive alternative.

To achieve this BlackBerry has decided to start with a personal voice assistant. Announced officially on the company’s blog, BlackBerry Assistant (BB Assistant) is the latest new feature that we can expect in the BlackBerry OS 10.3 launch. Taking clues from the top dogs of the game; Siri, Google Now and Microsoft’s Cortana. BB Assistant is BB’s own little assistant that lives inside your Blackberry smartphone.

The tiles design reminds you of Windows OS

In terms of design, it’s uncannily similar to the likes of Cortana and Siri. It appears as a small mic-in-a-cirle that pulsates when you talk to it. Along with it is a basic tile layout for other instructions and information. BlackBerry is going for the formal, business look that they’ve been known for, and it shows.

Blackberry claims BB provides all features provided by other Personal Assistants

In BlackBerry’s words “the BB Assistant will keep you organized, informed and productive.” So what can it really do? While BB hasn’t released a full feature list yet, you can expect BB Assistant to do pretty much what we’ve come to expect from the dominant personal assistants. It can call people, send BBM/text messages, set reminders and alarms for you, read out and write emails and check Twitter trends if that’s your thing.

Like Google Now’s latest feature, BB Assistant will be in an ‘always on’ state which means; you can trigger it through a voice command without actually closing the application you’re in. Pretty neat. BB also claims that it’ll get better with multiple usages, by learning your habits and needs.

This is clearly not a new feature by brought out by BlackBerry. They’re not even trying to promote it as new. The other competitors have had quite a bit of a head start. But as an attempt to catch up, BB Assistant is not a bad attempt in any way. Things might get better for BlackBerry. They really need to.

July 17, 2014
5 Phones You Could Buy Instead of The BlackBerry Z3

Today BlackBerry launched its new Z3 handset in India. Though the company is trying hard to come back to the business of which they were once the front-runners, the company has failed to deliver a recommendable product. The new device is priced at INR 15,990 – a price segment which is already crowded with amazing phones.

Here is the list of 5 phones you should buy instead of the Blackberry Z3:

1. Moto G

This phone is one of the best in its class. The Moto G is powered by 1.2GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor with Adreno 305 graphics and has 1GB of RAM onboard. The Moto G comes in two storage capacities: 8GB and 16GB. Though it does not support expandable storage. You can buy it for Rs. 13,999, which means you save 2 grand and get a better phone. Check out our detailed review of the the Moto G.

2. Micromax Turbo Mini

With a price tag of Rs 12,990, the Micromax Canvas Turbo Mini is one of the better mid-range Android phones available in the market. It’s worth pointing out that the phone was launched at Rs 14,490, but Micromax decided to give it a price cut shortly after the launch of the Moto G which starts at Rs 12,499. It would be a wise choice.

3. Samsung Galaxy Grand Quattro

Many people find it difficult to buy phones from Micromax and other Indian brands because they are concerned about the after sales service. And there is no doubt, Samsung excels in the customer service which has helped in developing a strong trust on the brand. The Grand Quattro is there in the market for a long time now and is selling quite successfully. If you want a very reliable brand with good performance and an overall package, then go for this device. If you’re serious about picking it up, have a look at our review of the phone.

4. LG L70 Dual

Just when we thought LG is getting out of the mid ranges smartphone market, it launched two good devices – the LG L70 and LG L90 – both running on the latest Android 4.4.2 Kitkat. The LG L70 is an extremely attractive device with great design and build. The other specs pretty decent but, you should buy this phone only if your usage is low. On the other hand if your usage is heavy, out of the two, opt for the LG L90. It is powerful and priced only at Rs16,000.

5. Blackberry Z10

Lastly, if you are a true BlackBerry loyalist, then you might as well go for the Blackberry Z10. It has a better camera, performance and display. All this by adding only 1k to the price of the BlackBerry Z3.

June 25, 2014
BlackBerry Z3 Launched : Is This Another Disappointment?

As anticipated, the BlackBerry Z3 launched in India today. The large-screen smartphone has been priced at Rs.15,990. The smartphone will be available to pre-order from Flipkart, The Mobile Store, and BlackBerry stores from Wednesday, and it will officially go on sale from 2nd July .

Sunil Lalvani, MD, BlackBerry India at the BlackBerry Z3 launch in New Delhi

Blackberry is trying hard to get back into the business, but all of their strategies seems to be in vain. This phone might be the perfect example.

Specification-wise the Z3 runs on BlackBerry 10 OS (version 10.2.1) and features a 5-inch qHD (540×960 pixels) display offering an aspect ratio of 16:9. It is powered by a dual-core 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 (MSM8230) processor with 1.5GB of RAM. The device is powered by 2500mAh battery. This doesn’t excite us since you could find n-number of phones which have capabilities to deliver a better performance, in the same or lower price segment.

The smartphone includes 8GB of inbuilt storage, which can be expanded up to 32GB via microSD card. For a lower price you could invest in a Moto G which has an internal memory of 16GB.

The camera specs also fail to attract as the device is equipped with a 5-megapixel autofocus rear camera and a 1.1-megapixel fixed-focus front-facing camera which can be found in a plethora of Smartphones in this segment.

The good bit about the phone is that Amazon has provided back-support to the company with its Appstore. Available on the new device, users can use it to download more than 200,000 apps. But then again the question arises, why wouldn’t a consumer just opt for an Android phone instead? Furthermore, loyalist have always enjoyed the BlackBerry Messenger and that too is now available on other devices.

Needless to say, the Canadian phone-maker failed to deliver a good gadget; its specifications fall short for the price it asks.

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June 25, 2014