OK, Ill be the contrarian for a while - there are lot of people who just want email/messaging and that's it.
To be honest, I can't remember all the apps on my iphone... I'm saturated. This is where ut-em... get ready, fight'n words a come'n... google is trying to make in-roads with predictive (some say creepy)- 'is this want you want' software.
In three years Microsoft will buy Blackberry to fold it into Windows 20 (if we skip release numbers we catch up faster). It will have a 6" screen, keyboard, cursor control from the touch screen of the Windows Watch and only link to Bluetooth headset/microphone. With the reduction of parts in the phone there will be room for fans and heat sinks for the Intel i7 processor that allows the full Office suite to come installed.
Some smart developer should create an app for iPhone that totally emulates the look and interaction of an old BB. Have fun for five minutes till the novelty wears off then go back to the modern world. Heck I've run an Apple ][ on a Mac!
In three years Microsoft will buy Blackberry to fold it into Windows 20 (if we skip release numbers we catch up faster). It will have a 6" screen, keyboard, cursor control from the touch screen of the Windows Watch and only link to Bluetooth headset/microphone. With the reduction of parts in the phone there will be room for fans and heat sinks for the Intel i7 processor that allows the full Office suite to come installed.
You would have to ensure any time you connecting anything something else stopped working to get the full experience.
The problem with phone makers these days are the eco-system and the phones your friends use.
Problem 1) If a user has invested heavily into a system like iOS, there's no compelling reason to switch to another phone unless the iPhone gives me problems or I have too much money to spare. iPhones haven't given me much problems for the last 6 years so I'm going to go with people with extra money and getting too bored with their current phones.
Problem 2) You most often decide what phone to use based on what your peers/family are using simply because your peers have given them the thumbs up PLUS it's heaps more convenient to stay in touch (e.g. iMessage/FaceTime). Of course, there's always third party apps like Whatsapp, Viber or Skype.
I gave Blackberry a go back in 2009 with the Bold 9700. Despite the clunky OS and almost impossible to navigate interface, physical keyboard typing is really superior to touch-screen typing. I had an iPhone 3GS back then as well which I used side by side. I was thinking to myself, if they made BBM cross-platform back then, they would have something to work with. Fast forward 5 years later, they've lost it to Whatsapp and other data messaging apps.
I won't go so far as to say Blackberry is dead. I believe there are people out there who would love a physical keyboard and something different from iPhones and Androids. However, they are no longer the majority.
Personally, I still love to see what they come up with and have a hands on with the device if I get the chance to. Although it's no longer the "I must have it on day one" feeling..
On London train/bus/tube and at business meetings I still see more battered old BBs with physical keyboards than touchscreens. A surprising number are BYOD. To these folk a phone means serious email plus a bit of voice - barometers and health apps have no appeal.
Add a proportion of iOS/Android users who are either bored or reject feature overreach and you have quite a significant market. To them a Classic BB handset will not be a leap of faith, it will be coming home.
I used to have a Blackberry from work. It was exchanged 3 times in less than a year due to fault keys. Hardly what I would call welcome home. I never want one again. On top of that Blackberry wanted to charge my firm higher server licensing fees, so they took all our BB's away.
I think it's a pretty good idea. It's their signature phone type and there's a hardcore fan base of physical keyboard people who aren't being served by anyone else. If all you mostly care about email, texting and IMs and having a calendar, this is a good phone for the job. Heck, even just for texting and email it's good since it's harder and harder to find just a 'feature' phone anymore. And the battery life is great for a "smart" phone.
I wouldn't buy it, but it's plenty of phone for some.
I have heard some good things about the Blackberry Passport although I still think its going to be a flop.
I have a Passport, love it, one of the best phones I've owned in a long time, I am also one of those users who absolutely love hardware keyboards. I also have a Porsche Design P'9882, sadly no keyboard, I should have waited for the P'9883. The BlackBerry Classic will sell, especially to teenagers, there has been a pretty large BB Q10 movement here in Switzerland with the kids. My daughters school is flooded with them now, texting and posting.
Comments
OK, Ill be the contrarian for a while - there are lot of people who just want email/messaging and that's it.
To be honest, I can't remember all the apps on my iphone... I'm saturated. This is where ut-em... get ready, fight'n words a come'n... google is trying to make in-roads with predictive (some say creepy)- 'is this want you want' software.
In three years Microsoft will buy Blackberry to fold it into Windows 20 (if we skip release numbers we catch up faster). It will have a 6" screen, keyboard, cursor control from the touch screen of the Windows Watch and only link to Bluetooth headset/microphone. With the reduction of parts in the phone there will be room for fans and heat sinks for the Intel i7 processor that allows the full Office suite to come installed.
You would have to ensure any time you connecting anything something else stopped working to get the full experience.
Problem 1)
If a user has invested heavily into a system like iOS, there's no compelling reason to switch to another phone unless the iPhone gives me problems or I have too much money to spare. iPhones haven't given me much problems for the last 6 years so I'm going to go with people with extra money and getting too bored with their current phones.
Problem 2)
You most often decide what phone to use based on what your peers/family are using simply because your peers have given them the thumbs up PLUS it's heaps more convenient to stay in touch (e.g. iMessage/FaceTime). Of course, there's always third party apps like Whatsapp, Viber or Skype.
I gave Blackberry a go back in 2009 with the Bold 9700. Despite the clunky OS and almost impossible to navigate interface, physical keyboard typing is really superior to touch-screen typing. I had an iPhone 3GS back then as well which I used side by side. I was thinking to myself, if they made BBM cross-platform back then, they would have something to work with. Fast forward 5 years later, they've lost it to Whatsapp and other data messaging apps.
I won't go so far as to say Blackberry is dead. I believe there are people out there who would love a physical keyboard and something different from iPhones and Androids. However, they are no longer the majority.
Personally, I still love to see what they come up with and have a hands on with the device if I get the chance to. Although it's no longer the "I must have it on day one" feeling..
Next Ford will have running boards and a crank start.
On London train/bus/tube and at business meetings I still see more battered old BBs with physical keyboards than touchscreens. A surprising number are BYOD. To these folk a phone means serious email plus a bit of voice - barometers and health apps have no appeal.
Add a proportion of iOS/Android users who are either bored or reject feature overreach and you have quite a significant market. To them a Classic BB handset will not be a leap of faith, it will be coming home.
I used to have a Blackberry from work. It was exchanged 3 times in less than a year due to fault keys. Hardly what I would call welcome home. I never want one again. On top of that Blackberry wanted to charge my firm higher server licensing fees, so they took all our BB's away.
Ok kids, powder your wigs, shoe your horses and get ready for some real phone fun!
So they're gonna re-release what the 2007 iPhone demolished?
Sounds like a plan. Well played, BB. Well played.
On the worlds tiniest of violins eh?
I think it's a pretty good idea. It's their signature phone type and there's a hardcore fan base of physical keyboard people who aren't being served by anyone else. If all you mostly care about email, texting and IMs and having a calendar, this is a good phone for the job. Heck, even just for texting and email it's good since it's harder and harder to find just a 'feature' phone anymore. And the battery life is great for a "smart" phone.
I wouldn't buy it, but it's plenty of phone for some.
I have heard some good things about the Blackberry Passport although I still think its going to be a flop.
I have a Passport, love it, one of the best phones I've owned in a long time, I am also one of those users who absolutely love hardware keyboards. I also have a Porsche Design P'9882, sadly no keyboard, I should have waited for the P'9883. The BlackBerry Classic will sell, especially to teenagers, there has been a pretty large BB Q10 movement here in Switzerland with the kids. My daughters school is flooded with them now, texting and posting.
If you mean purchased by at least two teenagers, then I'll agree, but I don't think it will be a success among teenagers.
If you mean to at least two, then I'll agree, but I don't think it will be a success among teenagers.
I completely agree. Most teens want to be seen with a cool device like an iPhone or (arguably) a Galaxy.
"Your BlackBerry is so cool!" ...said nobody (in the past couple of years) who is under 30 years old.