BlackBerry Key2 is a love letter to physical buttons and sharp edges
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- SZTadir
- X%U
- 07 Jun 2018
Since I have a Priv (and that feels like from the dinosaurs' age), I am closely following BlackBerry products.
I like the Key2. But would still prefer sliding keyboard to a fixed one. Also going back to LCD from OLED is a downgrade. And the price is obnoxious. Software is thoughtful, though I think DTEK will slow down the machine within 3 months.
But since I must have a PKB, I will have to bear it. May be Key1 will be cheaper now.
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- AnonD-152638
- mhB
- 07 Jun 2018
Maik, 07 Jun 2018The display is too small for business apps today, i prefer ... moreIn my experience you are completely wrong about the ability for software keyboards to predict what key I am trying to hit. Even when the center of my finger is on the key, it sometimes get it wrong.
And experience with gloves, has never been good. Neither with thing gloves and high sensitivity screen, nor with glove mode.
While the keys are small, their shape make it so that there is space between the keys, so the area one can hit without touching the key next to it, isn't all that small. There are soft keyboards with space as well, but because they rely on touch the chance of it detecting touch on the key next to it, is much higher than on a physical keyboards that rely on pressing an actual key.
No IP rating, I agree is unfortunate. But having a physical keyboard, makes it more complicated to so secure water or dirt from getting in to a sensitive area.
The CPU isn't the only factor that determines the price of a device.
The rest of the hardware counts. And this has a keyboard instead of a higher end chipset and bigger display.
Desktop experience, well that may be nice, but it requires connecting the device to screen, keyboard and so on, and in some cases a dock that is larger than the smallest computers out there.
I just don't se many cases where a user would have access to all the necessary accessories but not have access to an actual computer.
Android supports Bluetooth pointer device (mouse) and Bluetooth keyboard, so if it is for writing longer texts on a android unit while seated by a desk, it doesn't require any exotic accessory or special mode as long as the screen is close enough so that one can read it. For anything else than text that then isn't locked down to only be used from a phone or only works with via a program that communicates between the computer and the phone, an actual computer is much more useful than any docking mode of a phone. Laptop styled docks for phones with built in large screens, costs at least as much as a two-in-one tablet. So even the prospect of not having to pay for the CPU+GPU that the phone comes with, isn't true, as it costs just as much just to get the screen an keyboard.
Any phone can be a business phone.
This is a keyboard phone. And as such, the only real competition out there on the market is the previous version of it. Or a motorola Z series device if one manages to get hold of the keyboard mod.
It seems that Samsung has cancelled their Keyboard Cover series and it was by the reviews I've seen quite bad, and used a technology to trigger the capacitive touch keys on the actual screen, but with more lag than actually touching the keyboard on the screen.
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- Peter
- mQB
- 07 Jun 2018
Maik, 07 Jun 2018The display is too small for business apps today, i prefer ... moreAnd only a small number that can't develop its own apps. Big enterprises have their own software or special contracts with associates and don't trust a foreign ecosystem.
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- Maik
- pHk
- 07 Jun 2018
The display is too small for business apps today, i prefer thousand of times a bigger screen to watch the data properly without zooming which is a form of saving time, older workers usually need even a bigger one.
Shortcuts? Let me use the powerfull phone as desktop, like the desk of Samsung, the Asus ROG Dock, Huawei PC Mode in their flagships, etc. Something native not third party apps that freeze all. That saves more time that few shortcuts.
With a physical buttons you can easily push two at the same time being as tiny keys. The software keyboard even with gloves, detect the position even if you are covering part of a second virtual key and calculate what is the one you are trying to push.
Even lack of IP rating for outdoor workers. Even for a police officer. They must have anointed someone very well at the time to get a contract.
And SD660 for €649/£579/$649? A mid range phone that now even is lower than the SD710? No OIS in the cameras? A can only see the most blind and loyal fans of BB buying this overpriced brick.
Well, perhaps there is a niche for this device. As phones are rooted and have their own security keys... for a Boss that want to control their workers even when they go to the WC. Locate where they are, active their microphones or cameras in stealth mode.... remotly install new apps... Yep, for that it could be ok.
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- LG Superfan
- upq
- 07 Jun 2018
Atleast one major update means only one major update and price it around $500 BB you are not the brand you used to be
- Geric.770
- uSQ
- 07 Jun 2018
Only specific people will buy this one. BlackBerry loyalists!
And also people who love using the traditional keyboard with style.
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- Lynx
- Fvc
- 07 Jun 2018
sadh, 07 Jun 2018Yep, just like how Nokia/HMD tries to attract consumer with... moreYeah, but with low/mid end cpu for flagship price.
- s
- sadh
- sE5
- 07 Jun 2018
SakshamGupta30, 07 Jun 2018Don't hate on the phone, just you because you can't underst... moreYep, just like how Nokia/HMD tries to attract consumer with Android One, faster and guaranteed update on ALL devices. Something that's other companies havent done yet.
And BB with their keyboard and unique design.
There's a lot of people that still appreciate those things. Not many, but exist.
- s
- sadh
- sE5
- 07 Jun 2018
Some people type more than do a gaming or watching YT. So yeah, that's whom BB target this device.
But i agree on the price thing. It should've been around $500.
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- SakshamGupta30
- 7kj
- 07 Jun 2018
Anonymous, 07 Jun 2018$700 for a low-end phone lol. While the OnePlus 6 sells ... moreDon't hate on the phone, just you because you can't understand it's practicality in daily usage. This phone is designed for a specific group of people, one who don't use their phone as an artifact but as a thoughtful tool, and it atleast tries to stand out from the rest of the sea of smartphones which blindly follows the latest trend.
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- FromChinaWithLove
- qnT
- 07 Jun 2018
Who would be blackberry's target customers on this device with that price and hardware specs? Like seriously asking.
Would a regular business person buy this phone for that around of money just so he/she can type with a physical keyboard?
I mean, even for the regular smartphone user nowadays, I don't even see how anyone in this age would wanted to buy a phone that is pricer than some flagship, but come with a mid range specs and a physical keyboard which you'll have less screen to see just so you can type faster ?
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- Jacky
- S6q
- 07 Jun 2018
This price is RIDICULOUS!!!
No wonder this company is on the verge of extinction.
Good Luck!
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- Anonymous
- 3M%
- 07 Jun 2018
no notch and yes 3.5 mm button..
.
WOW
BEST
- ?
- Anonymous
- gWk
- 07 Jun 2018
$700 for a low-end phone lol.
While the OnePlus 6 sells for under $600.