blackberry
BlackBerry #KEY2 in 2023
Brought to you by #chatGPT 👀
The BlackBerry KEY2 is a smartphone that was first released in 2018, but despite its age, it is still a device that is worth using in 2023. Here are a few reasons why:
Physical keyboard: One of the most unique and appealing features of the KEY2 is its physical keyboard. In a world where most smartphones have virtual keyboards, the KEY2’s physical keyboard provides a level of tactile feedback and accuracy that cannot be matched by a virtual keyboard.
Durable design: The KEY2 is built with a sturdy aluminum frame and a textured back panel that makes it easy to grip. It also has a Corning Gorilla Glass 3 display, which is resistant to scratches and cracks.
Security features: BlackBerry is known for its emphasis on security, and the KEY2 is no exception. It has a DTEK security feature that monitors the device for potential security breaches and provides regular reports on the device’s security status.
Long battery life: The KEY2 is equipped with a 3500mAh battery, which provides enough power to last a full day of heavy use. Additionally, the device is equipped with BlackBerry’s Boost mode, which can help extend battery life even further.
Solid camera: Although the KEY2’s camera is not as advanced as those on some of the latest smartphones, it still takes great photos and videos. The 12-megapixel rear camera and 8-megapixel front camera are both capable of capturing high-quality images and videos.
In conclusion, the BlackBerry KEY2 is still a great device in 2023, thanks to its physical keyboard, durable design, security features, long battery life and solid camera. It’s a perfect device for those looking for a phone that prioritizes security, productivity and a real keyboard over the latest features.
From #onwardmobility to nowardmobility
To say I am disappointed is an understatement. It looks like it’s time to let go. I have been a fan of the brand for the longest time. It does not escape me that I have been hypocritical towards #iSheepers when I have been the same for the BlackBerry brand. I will ride out my #KEY2 until it’s last breath and then I will move on to the pixel I have just gathering dust right now.
I am not a fan of either Android or Apple. When BlackBerry decided to embrace the android OS there wasn’t much of a decision to make. It allowed me to continue to have and use the BlackBerry phone. Both companies have their faults and short comings. Both in many ways are hypocritical of things… but I refuse to go the way of Apple on principle. They push this narrative that they are all about inclusivity yet their ecosystem is completely closed. They refuse to open iMessage to android admitting that they fear losing people to android. They don’t want to embrace RCS. They talk privacy and maybe it’s a few levels ahead of Google but please. Folks who believe they are far better off with apple are just being naive. Anyway, I am done with my mini apple rant.. Back on track.
On the one hand I guess kudos on onwardmobility for giving it the old boyscout try and try to get a BlackBerry phone out there during difficult times. Big name companies have had it tough over the last few years so imagine a startup. On the other hand though..their PR/social media/communication skills was just plain horrible. Leaving the fanbase hanging for an entire year without a word of anything is not good business practice. Then in a span of a little over a month they went from ‘contrary to popular belief we’re not dead’… to dead. How does that happen? I joke about it but I think Peter ‘if that’s his real name’ Franklin was onwardmobility .. And probably working out of his parents basement. Looks like he went to the school of Anna Delvey. If you know, you know.
BlackBerry on the other hand with their history/reputation in the space could have handled things differently. And this is all on John Chen. For shame. There really isn’t anything else I could add to this.
I don’t regret the BlackBerry logo tattoo but now when someone asks if it is a cat paw… albeit a deformed cat paw, I guess I will just say ‘yes’. Lol
Ps: yes, I actually had someone ask if it is a cat paw.
Jan 4, 2022 – #BlackBerry – the end of an era
Jan 4 will always be a special and important day for me as it is my son’s birthday. However, this jan 4th 2022 will forever be embedded in my mind for a different reason…the end of an era..a sad day for #BlackBerry. The OG and classic OS is being decommissioned and will no longer be supported. For us loyal blackberrians it is truly a sad day.
My first phone was a motorola razr but once I set my eyes on a BlackBerry that was it. No other phone could match it for many reasons but for me it was that physical keyboard. Wow.
I have a shrine to all the phones I have had over the years.. All with the physical keyboard.
I absolutely love BB10. It was incredibly frustrating to me that it was never given a chance. I recall when it first hit the streets how it was mocked for being gesture based.. And now years later both iOS and Android are gesture based. *cough*Hypocrites *cough*
It was ahead of its time.
The only silver lining…as I write this on my BlackBerry KEY2, is that BlackBerry lives on with android, all be it an inferior OS to BB10.
I hope that in the new year onwardmobility gets their act together and puts out the BlackBerry phone we were promised in 2021.
Last Man Standing series finale
It’s always super sad when a series ends. Political views aside I have always been a fan of Tim Allen. I loved Home Improvement. I will say that although early on I did not miss any episodes of last man standing at one point I lost touch with it… but eventually I returned to watching it.
Most series, unless abruptly terminated, end with closure. I am not exactly sure what to make of Last Man Standing’s series finale. Essentially a truck Tim worked on for 10 years gets stolen. So in some way the truck represented the show… ~10 years of hard work by Tim…during their mourning the truck scene u can clearly see that they’re really talking about the show.
Anyway I just found this series ending, let’s just say, different.
During his last vlog Tim makes reference to ‘stealing’…I hope that considering his political views that he didn’t go there. It would not be surprising though since over the years he’s gone there plenty of times during the shows run.
As an avid BlackBerry enthusiast myself the one thing I appreciated enormously was Tim Allen’s appreciation for the BlackBerry brand and the fact he showcased plenty BlackBerry phones constantly over the years. His love for the brand seemed to have rubbed off on others in the cast as Hector and Jonathan too sported the KEY series during the last season. Good on you Tim. Good on you. 👍
… and btw what the hell ever happened to Boyd? Here’s what…
Weird though that he couldn’t be in the finale.
The Misadventures of my @BBMobile #KEYone Case, Amazon and IntelCom Express
A few weeks ago I watched iJustine unbox a oneplus and in that special edition box were 5 cases. Five! One was carbon fibre and it was gorgeous. I already have a case for my KEYone but decided to see if a carbon fiber one exists. Not a skin, I have tried that. A case. I didn’t find any but found one I thought I would like and so I ordered it last Sunday. I am a prime member so expected delivery on Tuesday. On Tuesday the package was delivered to my wife’s workplace (my choice) and at noon it was in my possession. When I opened the package however it wasn’t what I ordered. I look at the labelling on the actual package which was covered by intelcom’s other labelling and it was addressed to someone else. So I got the wrong package. I called intercom express, told my story and was placed on hold for ten minutes, was then told she couldn’t reach the driver and that someone would call me back. By 3pm the person who received my package called my wife to bring her up to speed that intelcom was being difficult about this whole mix-up. By 5pm I called intelcom again, got the same woman, was put on hold for a good 10mins, was told again that driver could not be contacted and that someone would call me back by latest noon on Wednesday. Surprise! That call never happened. I then decided to get amazon involved and chatted with someone and the whole experience got me NOWHERE !! Ok so sometimes online chatting Is not the way to go. On Thursday after more failed attempts with intelcom we find out from the person who had my package that u can actually call the carrier and request you be transferred to Amazon and they will do it for you. He was able to get a refund and a new package delivered. That’s what I did. I landed that same woman and when I told her I wanted to talk to an amazon representative to file a complaint and get a refund she quickly asked if I would give them a chance to fix this first. I told her no. I told her I recognized her voice and I had no interest being put on hold and going through the ritual from the other day. So I got connected to an amazon Rep and within 15mins I got a refund, I got to reorder my case, I got to choose 1 day delivery and she waived the 7$ charge and I was guaranteed delivery by Friday. I was also given a free month on my prime membership. On Friday at around 1pm since there was no indication at all that the package was on its way a call was made to intelcom express who said they didn’t receive any package yet. A call to amazon confirmed that and I was then told that unfortunately chances were I would not get the package Friday. Given that, I told the representative that the delivery address needed to be changed to my home address since the address they have is a business one and no one would be at the office on Saturday. She changed the delivery address for me. Within 15mins of our conversation I got a notification from intelcom that my package would be delivered with the next 3hrs. Say what? How is that possible? I assumed the one I re-ordered. Nope. Wrong. It was the original one which they went to get from the person who got it in error. One hour or so later I got another notification that my other package would be delivered within the next 3hrs. So by Friday evening I went from having zero cases for my KEYone to two. Oh and BTW I did get a refund … so one case was a freebie! 😀👍… so was this case in the end worth it?
For now I will say yes. It’s fairly light weight which is important to me.. Rubberized and the back is a clear plastic which allows me to showcase the BlackBerry logo. On the negative side, it’s clear plastic and so FINGERPRINTS!!!! UGH. What was I thinking!
I wish the buttons weren’t covered. I think after some use i will cut out the rubber off the buttons. Should make things easier. Although it’s not too bad right now.
BTW intelcom express does not have a good reputation … do some googling and it will confirm this. There is actually a petition out there that wants amazon to stop using them as a courrier.
My @BBMobile #KEYone, 10 Months and One Day Later
*UPDATED*
Not sure how I forgot this but worth mentioning.. Although it’s more an android/app annoyance than a KEYone. What’s with apps like YouTube and Facebook refreshing and taking you back to the top of the feed when you return to the App after it was minimized?
Side note: I swore that early yesterday @BBMobile liked my tweet for this post then the ‘like’ was gone later in the day. Hopefully I didn’t piss anyone off. Interestingly enough my battery is getting battered this morning. Some sort of revenge? Lol. I kid.
I should also mention that I am a die hard fan and look forward to the KEYtwo.
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Ok so this post was supposed to happen yesterday and then life got in the way. So why not wait 2 more months and do a ‘year later’ review? Well, I don’t think anything will change in the next two months. Atleast I don’t think so. If things change then I will post another update.
No huge revelations will come out of this post. Just my experience.
I guess the best way to approach this is a pros and cons list.
Pros
The phone is gorgeous. Beautiful looking and great quality. BBmobile needs to continue to make quality BlackBerry phones. None of that DTEK series nonsense.
The physical keyboard is pure awesomeness. I cannot do without a pkb. I just simply love the feel of the keys. I am a complete superstar writing on the KEYone.
The added features that come along with this great pkb like flicking words onto screen. Swiping back to erase words. Using the pkb as a mouse. Last but not least the fact you can create shortcuts both long and short for each key. I have so many shortcuts set up. So, so convenient.
The split screen feature. Most of the time I use it because I am watching a YouTube video but want to be able to scroll through my twitter feed. BB10 was far superior at this but heck atleast we got something.
The App ecosystem. I put this out here because almost every single BB elite out there that is pushing old time BB users of OS7 and BB10 use this as the main argument to jump on the blackdroid bandwagon. Personally I am not huge on apps. I have the few I use regularly but that’s about it. Instagram, twitter and FB are the main three with a small handful of others. What I will say is that, yes, it is exciting, I guess, to always have these apps getting updated on a regular basis.
Battery life. Amazing that I don’t have to bring my charger with me. Ever.
Cons (or annoyances)
Apps freezing up and getting the dreaded ‘App has stopped working’ window. So annoying. I don’t recall ever experiencing this with BB10.
I feel like I need to throw this one in. The Facebook App on android is pure unadulterated garbage. 99% of the time it is sluggish as shit. Thank God I rarely use it. Unfortunately the few time I do use it, it’s pure hell.
There are times when u press on either the circle, triangle or square and it takes a few cracks before there is a response. The square seems to be the worse.
General lag in responsiveness. It doesn’t happen often but when the phone slows down, it slows down to a crawl and it is the WORST!! There have been times that it was so bad I wanted to launch the phone across a room and into a wall. I have not done it and will never because I can’t bring myself to damaging such a beautiful phone 😀. I recall one time wanting to show an iPhone user friend of mine a video and it took so long to fire up he commented that we would have already watched it on his iPhone. I had no comeback. I mean how can I possibly convince people to join the blackdroid world when shit like this happens.
Battery life. Yes, this is in my Cons list as well. Although I don’t need my charger, battery life is not like it used to be. Seems to have changed somewhat since the last OS update. When it comes to my phone usage during my work week nothing has changed. I rarely use my phone during my work day yet my battery drains at a faster rate than in the past. I start my day at 6am and finish work at 430pm. There was a time when my battery would be in the low to mid 80s. Now it’s low 50s and at time in the 40s. Sure I reboot and get maybe one good day but then it’s back to what seems to be the new norm of low to mid 50s. Mostly the android system is chewing up all the battery life. I get that over time batteries can’t keep their charge like they used to but it hasn’t even been a year yet. Something has to change here. Why do I have to be forced to reboot my phone frequently to hope to get better battery life?
That’s all folks. For the most part my experience with Android has been good but at this point I can still argue that it’s no BB10. At some point I imagine I will no longer be able to say that.
@BlackBerry, a Patent Troll? That’s Laughable.
BlackBerry decided to go after Facebook (WhatsApp, Instagram) this past week for patent infringement. Seven to be exact. Just as quickly as the news came out, came the articles and people accusing BlackBerry of being ‘patent trolls’.
A patent troll
Let’s face it folks, BlackBerry is far from being a troll. They own tons of patents and intellectual property that is still in use today.
I won’t lie. This comes as a surprise and I think it’s pretty ambitious. The once Goliath of the industry, now the David going after Facebook; one of today’s Goliaths. BlackBerry clearly feels they have something otherwise I doubt they’d attempt anything. I suspect this has been years in the making and I am sure they’re well prepared. I am no expert or lawyer but on the surface it seems this should go in BlackBerrys favor but you just never know. Time will tell. This could drag on forever.
I think the founder of WhatsApp is a good example of what a troll is.
Takes a dig at #apple:
But doesn’t look at his own backyard to make sure it’s tidy:
100% accurate. WhatsApp has been blatantly ripping off every feature BBM has put out.
All hail BlackBerry. Fingers crossed this will come out in their favor. BlackBerry has been on a good streak lately with lawsuits!
My First Experience with @BBM Support, Kinda Meh.
In all the years I have been a BlackBerry user I have never had the desire or need to open a support ticket. I recently found an issue and initially tweeted @BBM and on their suggestion sent details on the issue at hand.
My email to support:
From my email you can clearly see I am on an Android phone. I think I clearly explain that the issue is trying to share a screenshot to BBM using the long press of O on Android feature. Basically the image is rendered as black. I do have a work around in that I first share the image to noteable and then to BBM to get it to work correctly so it’s not a show stopper albeit it means an extra step. I am all about productivity and apparently so is BlackBerry.
Their response:
Where did I ever mention that my BBM is crashing in my email to them? Needless to say, it’s the last time I will bother.
I don’t know maybe it’s a language thing. Makes me think of the movie ‘Lost In Translation.’
My Random Thoughts 