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- BlackBerry Live & Jam 2013 Attendees to Receive a Free BlackBerry Z10
BlackBerry has really upped the ante for conference gifts this year for both BlackBerry Live and BlackBerry Jam. They will be giving away a free BlackBerry Z10 to all attendees of both conferences courtesy of Brightstar, BlackBerrys premier mobile sponsor. The BlackBerry Z10 will help attendees get through BlackBerry Live with a new Mobile Conference Guide specifically designed for the Z10 allowing you to:
- Build and edit your conference schedule in the Session Catalog while on the go
- Scan into breakout sessions using NFC functionality
- Interact with sponsors
- Complete conference surveys
- Much more
Quantities are limited so if you are not yet registered for BlackBerry Live or BlackBerry Jam 2013 then so do so today! I sadly will not be there this year since it is a Jewish Holiday but Luis, Tim, and more of the BerryReview team will be there so let us know if you are around!
Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, April 24, 2013, 4:59 pm. | BlackBerry Live & Jam 2013 Attendees to Receive a Free BlackBerry Z10 | 3 comments |
Переслать - Galaxy On Fire 2 HD Launches on BlackBerry 10
As promised we now also have Galaxy On Fire 2 HD for BlackBerry 10. The game brings some awesome galaxy search and destroying to your BlackBerry Z10 so it is definitely worth checking out. The price is a little steep but the game is awesome if you want to check it out in BlackBerry World for $9.99. You can find the trailer below:
Desktop Video Link | Mobile Video Link
Posted by the BerryReview Team for ©BerryReview, April 24, 2013, 2:54 pm. | Galaxy On Fire 2 HD Launches on BlackBerry 10 | 5 comments |
Переслать - Hairy Tales Puzzle Action Game Released for BlackBerry 10
The BlackBerry Z10 just received another hit game with the launch of Hairy Tales by Arges Games. (Thanks CJ for the tip!) Hairy Tales is a difficult yet entertaining puzzle action game that has you playing tile dragging puzzles and save the world. You are saving the Hairys from a world of corruption in 72 levels in three worlds by stopping them from falling off the edge and destroying the Kikimoras and the level ending bosses.
Features include:
- Unique combination of tile-dragging puzzles with action-strategy mechanics.
- Hardcore puzzle difficulty but allowing casual-length game sessions.
- Fully-alterable world with a great tactile feel and intuitive interaction.
- Difficult puzzles with multiple solutions, which allow you to find your own path and provide replayability.
- Colorful environments with hilarious characters, animations and sound.
- Distinctive enemies and end-boss puzzle battles.
Check out Hairy Tales for $1.99 in BlackBerry World. You can catch the trailer below:
Desktop Video Link | Mobile Video Link
Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, April 24, 2013, 2:03 pm. | Hairy Tales Puzzle Action Game Released for BlackBerry 10 | 2 comments |
Переслать - Twitter for BlackBerry Smartphones 4.1.0.12 Hits the Beta Zone (Legacy)
BlackBerry is not stopping with the Beta Zone updates for legacy devices. They have rolled out Twitter for BlackBerry smartphones v4.1.0.12 in the Beta Zone today with some improvements before the final release. Check it out now in the Beta Zone and let us know what you find.
Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, April 24, 2013, 1:43 pm. | Twitter for BlackBerry Smartphones 4.1.0.12 Hits the Beta Zone (Legacy) | Leave a comment |
Переслать - Skype Preview Hits BlackBerry World for OS 10.1+ BlackBerry Devices
We just saw Skype hit BlackBerry World for all of you to download. The only catch is that it requires OS 10.1. I have confirmed that it now works with both the Q10 and Dev Alpha C but have not tested it out on the BlackBerry Z10 with the leaked OS 10.1. Let us know what you find and don't forget to check out our review of Skype on BlackBerry 10.
Check out Skype Preview free in BlackBerry World
Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, April 24, 2013, 1:39 pm. | Skype Preview Hits BlackBerry World for OS 10.1+ BlackBerry Devices | 12 comments |
Переслать - Facebook For BlackBerry v4.0.0.13 Graduates into BlackBerry World for Legacy Devices
BlackBerry has been testing Twitter for BlackBerry v4 in the Beta Zone for awhile now and it seems to be fully cooked now. They have released the full version 4.0.0.13 in BlackBerry World for OS 5.0-7.1 devices. This essentially brings more Facebook functionality and improved usability to the app.
Check out Facebook in BlackBerry World
Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, April 24, 2013, 1:33 pm. | Facebook For BlackBerry v4.0.0.13 Graduates into BlackBerry World for Legacy Devices | Leave a comment |
Переслать - WhatsApp Released for the BlackBerry Q10 – Update for Z10
One of my buddies let me know that WhatsApp has been updated to v2.9.5773. This new version brings a support for the BlackBerry Q10 before launch which is awesome! It also brings an update to the BlackBerry Z10 fixing small things and improvements users have been asking for.
Check out the latest WhatsApp in BlackBerry World
Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, April 24, 2013, 12:43 pm. | WhatsApp Released for the BlackBerry Q10 – Update for Z10 | Leave a comment |
Переслать - T-Mobile US Confirms They Will Carry the BlackBerry Q10
We can expect more carriers to be coming out talking about the Q10 but T-Mobile is the first in the US. They just confirmed that they will carry the device though they said nothing about availability and pricing. They did say that after April 29th business customers will be able to register for the Q10 at this link. My guess is they will open up preorders for business customers about 2 weeks before normal launch.
Here is how they describe the device:
T-Mobile USA continues to add to its growing 4G LTE smartphone portfolio with the BlackBerry® Q10. The BlackBerry Q10 combines BlackBerry's classic QWERTY keyboard and a touch screen with the power of the BlackBerry® 10 platform that delivers all the speed and connectivity customers demand to help them keep moving. T-Mobile customers can take advantage of the BlackBerry Q10 smartphone's premium hardware, advanced communications and multimedia features on a blazing-fast nationwide 4G network.
"With the powerful combination of BlackBerry's new BlackBerry 10 platform, the company's long-standing security features and BlackBerry's best QWERTY keyboard, the BlackBerry Q10 will be another great smartphone option for our business customers," said Drew Kelton, executive vice president of business markets at T-Mobile.
Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, April 24, 2013, 12:26 pm. | T-Mobile US Confirms They Will Carry the BlackBerry Q10 | Leave a comment |
Переслать - BlackBerry Q10 Materials Get Detailed by their Design Team
We heard a little bit about the premium materials that the BlackBerry Q10 is made out of but now we have a few more details. BlackBerry's design team has taken to their blog to describe some of the finishing details on the BlackBerry Q10 that make it the best keyboard BlackBerry to date. They reconfirmed what I said before about the Q10 frame being carved out of a solid block of forged 304 stainless steel with a black PVD finish to avoid scratching. This frame takes 20 minutes to produce through a multistep computer controlled machining process. Cool right?
Here are some of the other details:
- The keyboard frets have been designed with a chamfered edge so that they connect with the frame with incredible precision and accuracy
- The stainless steel fret found across the back of the BlackBerry Q10 helps preserve the finish of the back cover by holding the phone off the surface it is resting on. (see I was not making this up!)
- The glass-weave and soft touch coating used on the back cover is exclusive to the BlackBerry Q10 and have been years in development. By forming the glass weave in to a 3D shape, we have made it incredibly strong. The soft touch finish makes the BlackBerry Q10 easy to hold and feels beautiful in your hand while minimizing fingerprints.
- Due to the gestures on BlackBerry 10 they could remove the dedicated menu keys and trackpad to make the screen 30% larger and the keyboard bigger while keeping the same device dimensions.
- The metal frets between the rows of keys are thicker than the 9900 to make it easier to hit the right key
- The white font feature on black keys is Slate Pro, and is part of the humanist genre which is simply the most legible sans serif style for processing information quickly. The open shapes, varying proportions, subtle stroke differences aid the reader and lend an organic, approachable feel to our User Interface (UI) design.
Check out all the details over at InsideBB. It really is impressive what they have done though I really wish they would have squeezed in charging contacts on the bottom of the device.
I guess that is a trade off for the stainless steel frame.
Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, April 24, 2013, 12:09 pm. | BlackBerry Q10 Materials Get Detailed by their Design Team | 5 comments |
Переслать - BlackBerry Link v1.1 Change Log Leaks Out
With the launch of BlackBerry OS 10.1 right around the corner we will be hearing about upgrades to BlackBerry Link. BBIN managed to score a change log of what is coming with the new v1.1 of BlackBerry Link. I heard that this upcoming update will also add two way contact sync but that is not details they shared. Until then check out the list below and we will update you on what we hear!
ADDITIONAL FEATURES OF BLACKBERRY LINK 1.1
The following additional features are included in BlackBerry Link 1.1:
- BlackBerry device removal
- Corporate liable policy
- Import location settings
BLACKBERRY DEVICE DISASSOCIATION
To stop associating your BlackBerry device with BlackBerry Link, you can remove your device from BlackBerry Link. After
you remove your device from BlackBerry Link, you can't use BlackBerry Link to sync the data between that device and your
computer, or use the remote file access feature to access content on your computer from that device.- On your computer, open BlackBerry Link.
- If necessary, sign out of BlackBerry ID.
- At the bottom of the screen, click your device.
- Click the
icon.
- In the Settings view, in the left pane, click Remove Device.
- Click OK.
ABOUT THE CORPORATE LIABLE POLICY
If your BlackBerry device is activated on a BlackBerry Enterprise Server, some features of BlackBerry Link may be
restricted by IT policies. You should contact your administrator if you experience the following issues:- You can't see your device in BlackBerry Link
- You can't back up your device data
- You can't see some of the media or documents that you saved from the work space on your device
- You can't restore data to your device
- Some of your files aren't synchronized
ABOUT IMPORTING MUSIC, PICTURES, VIDEOS, AND DOCUMENTS
You can change the default locations where music, pictures, videos, or documents are imported to on your computer.
To change the default location where the files are saved, click theicon.
Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, April 24, 2013, 11:31 am. | BlackBerry Link v1.1 Change Log Leaks Out | 5 comments |
Переслать - Cut the Rope, ATP Tour, and Viber Coming Soon to BOTH the BlackBerry Z10 and Q10
BlackBerry has confirmed three more apps/games that are coming to both the BlackBerry Z10 AND Q10 in the "coming weeks." Specifically of interest is Cut the Rope coming which I really want to see on the square BlackBerry Q10 screen. I was worried that games like Cut the Rope which rely on a rectangular portrait screen would not be available on the Q10s square screen. It seems like I was mistaken.
BlackBerry has also confirmed that both the Q10 and Z10 will be getting Viber along with ATP Tour. Hopefully more launch partners will announce their intentions shortly.
Posted by the BerryReview Team for ©BerryReview, April 24, 2013, 11:21 am. | Cut the Rope, ATP Tour, and Viber Coming Soon to BOTH the BlackBerry Z10 and Q10 | One comment |
Переслать - Some of the BlackBerry Q10 Apps That Will Be Available At Launch
One of my main concerns with the BlackBerry Q10 is that its app catalog will be lighter than the BlackBerry Z10 due to its new screen size. BlackBerry seems to be trying to address that by listing the apps that will be available at launch. That includes Skype that we just reviewed along with a few others. The only apps that I have really been missing on my BlackBerry Q10 are WhatsApp and Google Talk but supposedly they are incoming.
Here is just a short list of some of the BlackBerry Q10 apps that will be available at launch:
Social:
- BlackBerry Messenger
- Foursquare (Foursquare)
- LinkedIn (LinkedIn Corporation)
- Twitter (Twitter, Inc.)
Entertainment:
- Maxim (Maxim)
- Nobex Radio (Nobex Technologies Inc.)
- Soundtracker (South Ventures USA)
Business Tools:
- Box (Box, Inc.)
- Canvas Business Forms Mobile Productivity (Canvas)
- Dropbox
- SalesNOW (Interchange Solutions Inc)
News & Photography:
- New York Times (The New York Times)
- Paper Camera (JFDP Labs Ltd)
- Press Reader (NewspaperDirect, Inc.)
- USA Today (USA TODAY)
- Wall Street Journal (The Wall Street Journal)
Gaming:
- Angry Birds (Rovio Entertainment Ltd)
- Bejeweled 2 (Electronic Arts Inc.)
- Need for Speed Undercover (Electronic Arts Inc.)
- New York Time Crosswords (Magmic)
Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, April 24, 2013, 10:48 am. | Some of the BlackBerry Q10 Apps That Will Be Available At Launch | 3 comments |
Переслать - Skype for BlackBerry 10 Review (Loads of Screenshots)
In our review of BlackBerry OS 10.1 we showed off the Skype icon in the homescreen. This led to quite a few questions that I can now answer.
I had a chance to do a video call with Ricky to his Windows 8 PC up in Canada and the call went beautifully over LTE. We did notice that at one point the audio quality dropped when Skype decided our connection was not optimal and lowered the bitrate. Ricky reported that the video quality was HD sharp though the audio did get choppy at times. It even allowed for movement with minimal artifacts (slight blurring if you moved too fast)
I was surprised by how fast the Skype app runs which may be in part to an improved Android runtime. Either way its nice to see. Sadly Skype does not tie into your contacts for you to call them over Skype but it does allow you to upload your contacts to see who has Skype and add them to your Skype roster.
When I minimized the app things started going wonky according to Ricky but the call did not drop. It just lowered in quality and was not really usable. I guess that means you should have it running when making video calls. Chatting on the call worked nicely.
You can also switch the camera to the back facing view for people to see what is in front of you. My major complaint was that the Skype voice calls did not allow you to pipe the audio through the earpiece and did not turn off the screen with the proximity sensor so I was not able to hold it to my head. Hopefully they fix that!
You can access your contacts and dial out if you have Skype credits
Overall I was impressed by how well this Android port worked on BlackBerry 10. Its not 100% but it does function and work quite well. Hopefully Skype will see the large user base on BlackBerry 10 and make their own native app. Let us know if you have any specific questions!
And some more screenshots…
Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, April 24, 2013, 9:56 am. | Skype for BlackBerry 10 Review (Loads of Screenshots) | 7 comments |
Переслать - Ballistic Shell Gel SG Series Case for the BlackBerry Z10 Review
Ever since I first purchased a Ballistic case for my BlackBerry PlayBook, I fell in love. The case offered everything to protect my PlayBook, from a double case for the back and a cover that was also a stand. I had to have a Ballistics case for my Bold 9930 when I saw the cases. So it was no different for me when I saw the charcoal and white Ballistic for the Z10. The case also comes in black, but since my Z10 is an oreo (white Z with a black back), I thought the white and charcoal case would flaunt it’s beauty.
The Ballistic case is available in two colors: Black and white and charcoal at the $34.99 price. I expected to see the classic black and red but I really like the way the white looks on my Z. I had my case before I even got my Z. When I saw that Ballistics was introducing a white and charcoal case I had to have it. The case came in quickly and when I took it out of the plastic wrap, I was really happy with the way it looks.
The case has three layers of protection. First there’s a silicone gel cover that has the classic Ballistic corners, which offers more shock protection on the four corners of the phone should it fall, to buffer the impact. The silicone shell cover fits snugly on the Z, allowing all the necessary ports open and accessible, and also covers the volume buttons as well. The speaker and microphone are also open.
Next is the white case, which fits onto the silicone gel part of the case, conforming to the Z. The case pulls together nicely and it also has the charcoal backing which is raised and has that non slip feel to the pattern. The fact it’s raised allows protection to your camera lens and flash.My Z fits perfect in this case, and it’s not bulky, leaves the screen open so it’s easy to use the phone, slip it in your pocket, or hold it in your hands. The screen protector is a nice bonus, to keep my screen clean and dust off. I have to admit, out of my durable cases so far, this one is definitely my favorite with the grip feel to it and the sturdy protection that it offers. It does not come off flimsily, and it really fits the Z, protecting it yet removes easily without too much effort.
Cons: The case is only available at this time in two colors for the BlackBerry Z10 and does not come with a holster.
Pros: Stylish, matches the two colors of BlackBerry Z10 out on the market. The case is durable, open faced so it does not interfere with any gestures, allowing full access. All ports open, all buttons covered, and the case is ventilated with the speakers and microphone open. It is drop proof and life proof as far as daily use and wear. The grip texture is another great feature.
Posted by Daytripper67 for ©BerryReview, April 24, 2013, 9:34 am. | Ballistic Shell Gel SG Series Case for the BlackBerry Z10 Review | Leave a comment |
Переслать - Tiny Bird by SolverLabs Updated In BlackBerry World
Tiny Bird is one of my favorite and few of games I have installed on my BlackBerry PlayBook and my BlackBerry Z10. This morning I saw the update, and even though it’s just a bug fixing update I wanted to highlight the game for any one new to the BlackBerry.
For those who remember, the game reminds me of my first game I ever bought for my BlackBerry PlayBook, Dillo Hills. The object of the game is to lead Tiny Bird escape the scary storms, because if the tornado sneaks up on him, it’s game over.
You can play Tiny Bird in one of three different modes and play the music or go mute. The game can be played in Single, Split Screen, or Multiplayer Mode.
For being only $.99 in BlackBerry World, it’s a great buy to have a game that can be addicting. Some might say it’s an Android port, which is fine, but it’s a little game that you can play here and there. The update is for all BkackBerry devices os 5.0 and up including the BlackBerry PlayBook.
You can download the updated Tiny Bird from BlackBerry World here
Posted by Daytripper67 for ©BerryReview, April 24, 2013, 9:22 am. | Tiny Bird by SolverLabs Updated In BlackBerry World | Leave a comment |
Переслать - BlackBerry OS 10.1 Release Review Update (BlackBerry Q10)
With the BlackBerry Q10 comes a new maintenance release for BlackBerry OS 10.1 that will shortly also be coming to the BlackBerry Z10. We will have more info on when it will come to the Z10 at BlackBerry World next month since it will coincide with BES 10.1. With OS 10.1 BlackBerry has addressed many of the items that cropped up in the first release along with adding some beautiful improvements. For example, the camera is now capable of HDR pictures.
Since OS 10.1 really build on OS 10 I will not rehash all of the previous features covered in our review of BlackBerry 10. If you are not familiar with BlackBerry 10 I recommend reading that review first. With that said let us dig right into what BlackBerry has improved in BlackBerry OS 10.1 since our last review. Also don’t forget to check out our review of the BlackBerry Q10!
Honey we shrunk the homescreen
With the launch of the Q10 BlackBerry had to find a way to make a portrait homescreen fit in a square. To do this they have added a smaller sized active frame on the homescreen and app grid to allow for more content on the screen. This means a reduced size for the toolbar, removing unnecessary text, and adding some cool tooltips. The app homescreen now shows four icons across and three down instead of four. BlackBerry has also done away with the search button in the bottom middle of the homescreen. It was also nice to see that BlackBerry has revamped the tutorial you get when you first start up a BlackBerry 10 device. It now also explains to you dynamically how the homescreen and gestures work. Hopefully they have more planned in that vein to get users up to speed.
Introducing "instant Action"
BlackBerry has taken universal search to a new level with Instant Action. Now if you type anything from the homescreen it will automatically start searching. If you type something like BBM Luis it will automatically open up a BBM message to Luis. This works for phone calls, email, and more. You can also just start typing numbers for it to search your contacts for the number.
It even works for LinkedIn. It will be interesting if devs can tie into this with an API.
Dark theme for the BlackBerry Q10
The BlackBerry Q10 with its SuperAMOLED screen benefits from a new dark theme in BlackBerry OS 10.1. Due to the OLED technology it take less battery to show black than white. This is because black on OLED is just that part of the screen being off. With the Z10 LED screen it makes no difference so there is no dark theme. Hopefully BlackBerry gives us the option for it in the future since it looks pretty slick. Most of the native apps also received an overhauled "dark" version as you can see in BBM above.
Prediction typing for BlackBerry Keyboard devices
Devices with physical keyboards like the BlackBerry Q10 also get some predictive sentence completion and auto correction. You have to turn it on since it is off by default but it works nicely. and just shows up above the keyboard.
The optimized BlackBerry Hub
BlackBerry gave the hub an overhaul in BlackBerry OS 10.1. The hub now has more consistent text sizes and the menus are smaller to better take advantage of screen real estate. I really like how BlackBerry has added the keyboard shortcuts to menu items to teach newcomers. They also added some cool features like the ability to open up an email that has an attached email. They also added pin to pin messaging and the ability to select which email you want to use in the compose screen.
Last but not least I love how they made the bottom action bar hide when you scroll down and show up again when you scroll up. This gives you more screen real estate. Now if only they would also make the big blue "BlackBerry Hub" bar hide.
Mark Prior Read & Delete Prior Now Work in Searches
I specifically asked for this feature multiple times. I find myself regularly searching for emails and deleting or marking all of them read. Thankfully this is easy to do on BlackBerry OS 10.1 by just performing the search and then holding down the date.
Better text selection
BlackBerry had some nice touches with text selection in BlackBerry 10 and they have improved it further in 10.1. First of all they have improved the bubble that pops up when you select text. You can now also touch two points in the screen to select text between them. It is also now easier to drag the selection brackets or move the cursor around by tapping each side of it.
Packing some High Dynamic Range in the Camera
High Dynamic Range or HDR is a mode for the camera that allows it to take pictures that have better clarity. It offers greater detail in the lightest and darkest areas of a picture that are usually washed out in other cameras. It does this by taking three pictures and melding them together.
BlackBerry also added better red eye and golden eye removal in the picture editor. The camera itself also focuses much faster and startup is zippy.
Some small improvements in the Phone and instant search
BlackBerry added the ability to cut, copy, and paste phone numbers in the dialer screen. They also added the functionality to search by both email and number in the contacts for the phone. Sadly it does not do the same while you are typing numbers in the dialer. They also added the ability to search for a number using instant search.
I also like how the SMS sending option in the phone dialer can be done by just holding down a contact. The phone app in general is also much faster.
BlackBerry Remember Adds HTML Support for Evernote
BlackBerry Remember is an awesome feature especially with its Evernote integration. BlackBerry allowed you to view HTML Evernote entries in BlackBerry OS 10 but if you edited them you lost the HTML. Now with OS 10.1 you retain the HTML and even can put in your own HTML using the editor.
Calculator gets and overhaul
The calculator in BlackBerry 10 got an overhaul removing the animations and making it easier to switch between the regular, scientific, tip, and metric calculators.
Improved notifications including email specific notifications for messages
One of the things that has frustrated new BlackBerry 10 users was the inability to set different notifications per email address on their Z10. That has been fixed with OS 10.1 with the ability to set a different notification per email account. On top of that you can now set a specific number of vibrations per contact and per account. Last but not least you can control contact specific notifications using the volume key. There is also a button now to easily turn off all notifications for an account or an application.
BlackBerry also made a new menu popup when you use the quick menu button to switch profiles. It now has the option to switch between Normal and Silent or Normal and Vibrate.
BlackBerry now also lets you choose if you want the volume buttons to only control media volume or allow you to control notification volume when you are not in a media app. That is mostly for Android and iOS users who are used to such functionality instead of profiles. The volume buttons now also have more settings between highest and lowest.
BlackBerry Link Allows Access To Your Computer Files from BlackBerry 10
BlackBerry already allowed you to access and sync your files from your BlackBerry Z10 to your computer over Wi-Fi using BlackBerry Link. Now BlackBerry has completed the circle by allowing you to access your files from your computer from your BlackBerry OS 10.1 device through Link. I had issues getting this to work remotely but it worked nicely over WiFi. They just show up as extra devices in the file manager.
BBM Gets its Select All feature back for Broadcast Messages
I personally hate this feature but it is much requested. Users can now select all of their contacts when they want to send out broadcast messages. BlackBerry could really help me out if they gave me the option to make Broadcast Messages silent.
Emergency notification system & AT&T Address Book Sync
I found that the BlackBerry Q10 I received had the Emergency Broadcast System returning with carriers able to send out localized alerts over SMS. I did not have a chance to see it in action but the settings seem to imply it. I also found that my device worked beautifully with AT&T's address book sync as another account.
Restore Data from BlackBerry Protect or Android/iOS
BlackBerry introduced a feature allowing you to select a previous BlackBerry Protect backup to restore on your BlackBerry OS 10.1 device. They also supposedly created apps for iOS and Android to help with the device porting but I have not found them yet…
Browser
The browser on OS 10.1 also got a nice overhaul and supports keyboard shortcuts. Nothing crazy but it does work faster. It also does a better job of hiding the top url bar for more screen real estate.
Calendar:
The calendar for the Z10 now supports both portrait and landscape mode in all views (day/week/month)
Conclusion:
While that is a pretty extensive list it is nowhere near the full picture. Definitely let us know in the comments if we missed anything or you want us to explain further. I am really digging BlackBerry 10.1 and hope it officially hits the BlackBerry Z10 shortly! You may have noticed an interesting icon in the screenshot at the top of this post… More on that later!
Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, April 24, 2013, 12:13 am. | BlackBerry OS 10.1 Release Review Update (BlackBerry Q10) | 20 comments |
Переслать - BlackBerry Q10 United States & United Kingdom Availability Details
BlackBerry has released some details to us about the availability and suggested pricing for the BlackBerry Q10 in the US and UK. The BlackBerry Q10 is priced so it can be available at a suggested retail price of $249 on contract in the US but carriers will confirm pricing closer to launch. BlackBerry expects the Q10 to launch in the US "by the end of May." For the UK we now know that the device will launch in the UK first "sometime in April."
I am not a huge fan of the $249 price point but hopefully that drops down below $200 quickly. Here is to hoping all US carriers get it in May.
Posted by the BerryReview Team for ©BerryReview, April 23, 2013, 11:01 pm. | BlackBerry Q10 United States & United Kingdom Availability Details | 4 comments |
Переслать - BlackBerry Q10 Smartphone Hardware Review (BlackBerry 10.1)
This is the time many of you have been waiting for. BlackBerry is finally pulling back the curtains on their iconic BlackBerry Q10 with its full QWERTY keyboard. I had the pleasure to use the BlackBerry Q10 for the last week and I have to say BlackBerry has really managed to release a refined product with the BlackBerry Q10. The Q10 offers a level of familiarity combined with the latest technology that will truly appeal to users looking for the quintessential BlackBerry QWERTY Keyboard experience. This is especially so when compared to the all touch BlackBerry Z10 we reviewed in January.
I highly recommend reading our updated review of BlackBerry OS 10.1 that ships with the BlackBerry Q10 along with our original BlackBerry 10 operating system review and walkthrough. Now lets get right into it and review what the BlackBerry Q10 offers.
The Keyboard is BACK! Thank the Flying Spaghetti Monster!
If you really boil down what makes the BlackBerry Q10 different then you would have to focus on the keyboard. When we reviewed the BlackBerry Z10 we told you that it was the best keyboard we have ever used on glass. After using the BlackBerry Q10 I have to say that physical QWERTY keyboards still hold the crown. While the BlackBerry Z10 virtual keyboard shames most of the competition it is still a far cry from the real feedback you get from a physical keyboard. Especially when that keyboard is meticulously designed by BlackBerry, the masters of smartphone keyboards.
From the face of you device you can see that the keyboard now takes about 1/3rd of the front of the device. Because of that modification we now have a square screen instead of the previous rectangular screen on the Bold 9900. This is also due to BlackBerry doing away with the call buttons and trackpad because of the gestures in BlackBerry 10.
Specifications
The specs on the BlackBerry Q10 are similar to the BlackBerry Z10 with a few exceptions. The main changes are the 35 key QWERTY physical keyboard with backlight and the 3.1" superAMOLED Display at 720×720 square resolution. That screen is impressive and has a 330ppi which looks gorgeous. I also found that the screen was way more resistant to fingerprints than my BlackBerry Z10. Hopefully they will bring that back to the Z10.
One of my favorite improvements on the Q10 over the Z10 is the 2100mAh battery compared to the Z10's 1800mAh battery. That coupled with the Q10's smaller SuperAMOLED screen leads to much better battery life. Also worth mentioning is that these devices have Bluetooth Class 1 which has a further range.
So where is everything?
BlackBerry more or less kept things in the same place on the Q10 relative to the Z10. I appreciated that BlackBerry moved the MicroUSB charging port down so it does not interfere with typing when charging. The battery cover slides down instead of snapping off like the Z10. Another small change is the proximity sensor moving to the left of the earpiece from the right though the camera stays in the same place.
How does the build quality compare?
BlackBerry really took the quality up a notch with the BlackBerry Z10. As I mentioned the screen is much more resistant to fingerprints along with being a brighter SuperAMOLED display. BlackBerry spruced up the Q10 with steel accents all around. The frets between the rows of the keyboard are a sleek steel band. They also confirmed that the band around the device is also just black steel which is beautifully cut out for the buttons and speaker. I have dropped it twice already with nary a scratch.
The back of the Q10 is also a bit of an inspired mix between the Bold 9900 and Bold 9700. It is made out of a carbon fiber like plastic made specifically for BlackBerry to allow for maximum RF transfer. They also placed a beautiful accent band right between the battery door and camera. That band actually sticks just a tiny bit to prop the device up on a table and keep the battery door clean. The charging port on the Q10 also feels solid though not as strong as the 9900 which was partially steel.
How does it feel in your hand?
One of the things that really made me fall in love with the BlackBerry Q10 was the new rounded back which is a mix of the 9900 and 9700 Bolds. It has a very soft feel that really just fits perfectly in your hand and offers just the right amount of traction. I really prefer it compared to the boxy edges on the Z10 and even the 9900.
External Characteristics
The BlackBerry Q10 is truly the iconic BlackBerry design. When you see it you cannot mistake it for anything but a BlackBerry. The main thing that sticks out is the new front with its bigger screen and straight keyboard. Keyboards on older BlackBerrys used to be either arched in a smile or frown. The Q10 keyboard is straight but the keys stick out vertically into a sort of downward-sideways facing curve. Just imagine the 9900's keys with a bit more curve.
The thing that really threw me off is that the Q10 seems to have three microphones or at least that is what it seems like. The Z10 introduced 2 microphones for better noise cancellation and HD voice. The Q10 details still say 2 microphones so it could just be another hole…
The BlackBerry Q10 battery is still removable like the BlackBerry Z10 which is nice for a quick battery replacement. You can hotswap MicroSDHC cards though you have to reboot for SIM cards.
Do gestures work well on a smaller bezel?
It seems like BlackBerry did a bit of tweaking to the bezel gesture system in BlackBerry OS 10.1. When we tested this out on the demo BlackBerry Q10's in January it was difficult to perform the swipe up gesture. Now on the official OS 10.1 this gesture is effortless on the smaller screen. I dare say it is easier than the Z10 since your thumb naturally ends up right where you gesture if you are using it with one hand.
Can you use the BlackBerry Q10 with one hand?
One of my favorite features on the BlackBerry Bold 9900 and previous devices was the ability to use it with one hand. I am happy to report that BlackBerry seems to have been paying attention to avoiding thumb acrobatics. Gestures and menus are relatively easy to access with one hand. Like the 9900 OS there are sometimes menu buttons on the top of the screen you want but I rarely find myself stretching for them.
What about Keyboard Shortcuts?
With the return of the keyboard in the BlackBerry Q10 we thankfully have keyboard shortcuts. All of the key shortcuts seem to be there though a few less common ones are missing. Thankfully you can use keyboard shortcuts to do things like move back and forward between messages though the animation of closing and opening the email is a bit much.
BlackBerry took keyboard shortcuts and universal search a little bit further with Instant Action in BlackBerry OS 10.1. This allows you to just type something like "Email Ronen" and enter and it would open up an email to me. It really works nicely!
Camera
The camera on the BlackBerry Q10 is the same as the BlackBerry Z10. BlackBerry has really improved the low light capabilities of the camera and the hardware itself is top of the line with an 8-MP back camera and a 2-MP front camera, so both can record 720p video. The camera snaps pictures quickly and now also has an HDR feature for low or saturated light pictures.
Storage and Memory
The Q10 follows the Z10 with 2GB of RAM which seems to be more than enough. Once again it only has 16GB of storage built in which is expandable with MicroSDHC cards up to 64GB. Hopefully BlackBerry will allow installing apps to the SD card in the future.
Processing Power
The BlackBerry Q10 has the same 1.5Ghz dual core processor as the BlackBerry Z10. If anything the Q10 seems faster than the Z10 but that could just be a factor of the new OS. I have not run into any slowdowns so I would not consider this an issue. The Q10 also does not seem to get as hot as the Z10 when you use it constantly for awhile.
Wireless – Cellular, LTE, Wi-Fi, & Bluetooth
The wireless connectivity of the Q10 is the same as the Z10 so no big differences there. The only change is that all the device models have LTE from what I can tell. They did manage to make the Q10 better at keeping LTE data even in weak zones. Bluetooth 4.0 is also in the Q10 which should lead to some fun accessories. We also have the same mobile hotspot and mobile tethering over USB and bluetooth.
So how is battery life?
In the last week I have been really impressed with the Q10's battery. The BlackBerry Z10 battery is not bad but compared to older BlackBerrys it was wanting. The Q10 solves that with easily surviving through a day of hard use. I have not had to use the second battery pack BlackBerry gave us as an accessory.
Does the bigger battery take longer to charge?
I found charging to take a tad longer than the Z10 due to the larger battery. On the other hand I HIGHLY recommend the MicroUSB PlayBook Folding Blade charger that charges the Q10 and Z10 twice as fast as the charger that comes with the Q10!
Conclusion
The BlackBerry Q10 is clearly the top smartphone for people who want QWERTY physical keyboards. It is no question the most refined device in the class. This is the BlackBerry 10 device physical keyboard lovers have been waiting for. The real question is if people who are not dead set on keyboards should get the BlackBerry Z10 or BlackBerry Q10. I have managed to break it down into an easy decision. The trade off is between the classic BlackBerry physical keyboard versus top gaming and movie watching on the BlackBerry Z10's widescreen. Quite a few games ported to BlackBerry 10 are not going to work beautifully on the Q10 due to its square screen. For example, I am not sure how Cut the Rope would work with its portrait orientation. On the other hand I had no problem playing Angry Birds Space.
The BlackBerry Z10 seems like it will be the BlackBerry 10 device with the largest gaming catalog and the BlackBerry Q10 seems to be the most efficient for email, contacts, calendar, etc. If you have to choose then you have to see which one of those is most important to your needs. Personally I found that the on screen keyboard of the BlackBerry Z10 gave me about 60-70% of the efficiency of a real physical keyboard. Its leaps and bounds ahead of other keyboards like iOS but still it does not hold a candle to the Q10.
To sum it all you really are choosing between a keyboard or a bigger screen. Each is a tradeoff. Hopefully BlackBerry will revive the Torch line and we will not longer have to choose! Let us know if you have any questions. Also make sure to check out our review of BlackBerry OS 10.1 to get the full picture!
Some more pictures for your viewing pleasure…
Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, April 23, 2013, 11:00 pm. | BlackBerry Q10 Smartphone Hardware Review (BlackBerry 10.1) | 23 comments |
Переслать - BlackBerry Awarded Patent for "Torch-Like" Portrait Keyboard Slider
I have been waiting to hear more about BlackBerrys plans for a portrait keyboard slider like the current BlackBerry Torch models. BlackBerry has so far revealed its plans for a full touch and QWERTY keyboard model but the Torch style slider is conspicuously missing. We heard rumors about such a device before but they did not pan out. Now Engadget spotted a USPTO document where BlackBerry was awarded a patent for a portrait keyboard slider for a filing made in December 2011. This model sort of looks like a Z10 with a slider.
Now we can only speculate but I would really want a slider… I used to love my Torch.
Posted by the BerryReview Team for ©BerryReview, April 23, 2013, 3:37 pm. | BlackBerry Awarded Patent for “Torch-Like” Portrait Keyboard Slider | 12 comments |
Переслать - Still having an issue with BlackBerry World? Try this fix!
JDuke from OSBB just sent me a BAR file, that might help people having BlackBerry World issues. Instead of opening up BlackBerry World to the features page, this nifty little work around opens BlackBerry World up in the Game section. Now because this is a 3rd party .bar file you will have to sideload it. You can find instructions here. Grab Fix BlackBerry World here.
Posted by Fubaz for ©BerryReview, April 23, 2013, 2:56 pm. | Still having an issue with BlackBerry World? Try this fix! | 2 comments |
Переслать - BlackBerry Q10 Available in Canada on May 1 for $199
The dam has broken on BlackBerry Q10 news and the "Keyboard BlackBerry" is almost here. BlackBerry has announced that the BlackBerry Q10 will be available in Canada on May 1st. No word on the US but hopefully that is coming shortly! The BlackBerry Q10 will be available on Rogers Wireless, Bell Mobility and TELUS for $199 with a 3 year contract. Virgin Mobile Canada, Fido, Koodo Mobile, and Sasktel are also getting the device and it will also be sold at retail locations including: Best Buy, Future Shop, TBooth Wireless, The Source, Walmart Canada and WIRELESSWAVE.
Check out the details below!
The New BlackBerry Q10 Smartphone available in Canada May 1
The new BlackBerry® Q10, the first BlackBerry® 10 smartphone to feature a classic BlackBerry® QWERTY Keyboard, will be available in Canada starting May 1 on Rogers Wireless, Bell Mobility and TELUS. The BlackBerry Q10 combines the power of the BlackBerry 10 platform with a large, re-engineered physical keyboard and stunning touchscreen display – the largest ever on a BlackBerry QWERTY smartphone.
"We're thrilled that the BlackBerry Q10 will soon be available to Canadians," said Andrew MacLeod, Managing Director for Canada. "The new BlackBerry Q10 combines the power of BlackBerry 10 with a classic BlackBerry keyboard to help people communicate and collaborate faster and more efficiently. We're seeing strong momentum behind BlackBerry 10 from carriers, customers and partners around the world. The BlackBerry Q10 will accelerate this trend."
Availability:
The BlackBerry Q10 smartphone will be available in Canada starting May 1 on Rogers Wireless, Bell Mobility and TELUS starting at $199 with a 3 year contract. It will also be available on Virgin Mobile Canada, Fido, Koodo Mobile, and Sasktel, and available in select retail locations, including Best Buy, Future Shop, TBooth Wireless, The Source, Walmart Canada and WIRELESSWAVE.
Highlights of the BlackBerry Q10:Meticulous attention has been paid to every detail of the BlackBerry Q10 smartphone's design, from its beautiful and distinctive form to its elegant and ergonomic QWERTY keyboard, which features a wider layout and larger sculpted keys. With the BlackBerry Q10 smartphone's advanced hardware, communications and multimedia features, along with long battery life, you can confidently stay ahead and take action all day long.
The re-designed, re-engineered and re-invented BlackBerry 10 platform offers you a powerful and unique new mobile computing experience that continuously adapts to your needs. Every feature, every gesture, and every detail is designed to keep you moving forward towards your goal, and includes advancements such as:
· The ever present BlackBerry® Hub, which brings all your conversations together in one easy to manage place that you can access at any time from any app with a simple "peek", so you're always only one swipe away from what matters to you.
· BlackBerry® Balance™ technology, which elegantly separates and secures work applications and data from personal content, protecting what's important to you and the business you work for..
· BBM™ (BlackBerry® Messenger), which lets you share things with the people that matter to you in an instant. BBM in BlackBerry 10 includes voice calling and video chat, and lets you share your screen with another BlackBerry 10 contact.
· BlackBerry® Remember, which helps you tackle tasks quickly with a new way to collect, organize and action all the information sitting in different places across your smartphone.
Posted by the BerryReview Team for ©BerryReview, April 23, 2013, 2:44 pm. | BlackBerry Q10 Available in Canada on May 1 for $199 | 13 comments |
Переслать - Blackberry Z10 Battery and Charging Bundle Review
I know this might seem a little late to the party, but one of the accessories I have had the hardest time getting my hands on with out over paying has been the LS-1 Charging Bundle. I was able to find it in stock over at MobileFun.com with the best price I have seen on the internet (as a whole with shipping).
I was surprised at how compact and small it was, and how the cable to connect to the device is able to be twisted to put back in the charger, when not in use. I put it to the test using one of my PlayBook Chargers (I always use the PB charger when charging my Z, because I do not have a lot of time to be tethered to a charger).
Once I drained both batteries to below 10%, I set up the rig, PB charger to charging pod, dead LS-1 installed, and then the external port to my Z10. Once plugged in, the indicator light on the pod let me know it was charging. It seemed to do a good job, the LS-1 was complety charged in around a hour and 15 minutes, where the Z10 took around an extra 25 minutes. It makes sense as the second device would get a lower output.
Now I imagine this would be a 3-4 hour experience on a normal OEM charger for the Z10, but regardless, if you go through batteries like I do, this is a necessity not a want. I go through 4 batteries some days, and always finding a spot to plug in can be a neusense. Grab one for yourself at the MobileFun store for $38.99.
Posted by Fubaz for ©BerryReview, April 23, 2013, 2:06 pm. | Blackberry Z10 Battery and Charging Bundle Review | 3 comments |
Переслать - BlackBerry Shares Some Insight Into Upcoming "Headless Apps" On BlackBerry 10
I was disappointed that BlackBerry did not manage to figure out "headless apps" in BlackBerry OS 10.1 but thankfully it is upcoming on their radar. In case you don't know "headless apps" are apps that can run in the background without running as an active frame. That means you can have more than 8 apps running and apps like BeBuzz can run on boot and stay running even if you open a 9th app.
In BlackBerry's latest installment of the BlackBerry Jam Unplugged series they have Geordie Ferguson, software architect for BlackBerry 10, give some insight on headless apps and their considerations for upcoming headless apps. Its well worth watching for both devs and power users.
Desktop Video Link | Mobile Video Link
Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, April 23, 2013, 1:23 pm. | BlackBerry Shares Some Insight Into Upcoming "Headless Apps" On BlackBerry 10 | 10 comments |
Переслать - BlackBerry Q10 Goes Farther With Class 1 Bluetooth Range
I am not sure what prompted this change in the BlackBerry Q10 over the BlackBerry Z10 but it is interesting. We told you earlier that the BlackBerry Z10 models have either Class 2 or Class 1.5 Bluetooth range based on the model. The lower the class the farther the device is able to connect over Bluetooth with a similar classed device. Amir pointed out that in the latest safety guides posted by BlackBerry the BlackBerry Q10 is listed as having Class 1 Bluetooth. The difference is that Class 2 has a maximum range of 10 meters (a little less than 33 feet) vs Class 1 which has a maximum range of 100 meters (about 328 feet). (Wikipedia) That is a pretty big difference.
No word on why they made the change but I am curious if it is for military and government users. BlackBerry is also introducing compatibility with their Smart Card Reader in OS 10.1 which also works over Bluetooth. It should be interesting to see what comes of it… Speculate away in the comments!
Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, April 23, 2013, 11:55 am. | BlackBerry Q10 Goes Farther With Class 1 Bluetooth Range | 5 comments |
Переслать - PlayCloud Updated With Q10 Support Along with Google Docs
PlayCloud seems to be leading the cloud file manager space on BlackBerry 10 and they are not slowing down. They let us know on Twitter about their latest release that adds Google Docs support along with sharing. This version also adds BlackBerry Q10 support along with thumbnails support. All in all a nice update.
Check out PlayCloud for $1.99 in BlackBerry World
Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, April 23, 2013, 11:24 am. | PlayCloud Updated With Q10 Support Along with Google Docs | One comment |
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