Blackberry Priv early impressions: This is (currently) not a very good phone

Specs at a glance: Blackberry Priv Screen Curved 5.43-inch, 2560×1440 pixel, 540 PPI AMOLED display with Gorilla Glass 4 OS Android 5.1.1 Lollipop CPU Snapdragon 808 hexa-core, 64 bit: dual-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A57 and quad-core 1.44 GHz Cortex-A53 RAM 3GB LPDDR3 933MHz RAM GPU Qualcomm Adreno 418 GPU Storage 32GB plus micro SD expansion Networking 5GHz 802.11 ac/a/n, 2.4Ghz 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.1 Low Energy, NFC Ports micro USB 2.0 Connector with SlimPort enabled Camera 18MP rear facing camera, Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), Phase Detect Auto Focus (PDAF), ast focus lock, Dual 2mm LED Flash, 4K video at 30fps, 1080p video at 60fps; 2MP selfie camera Size 147mm (184mm opened) x 77.2mm x 9.4mm Weight 192g Battery 3410mAh Other perks Accelerometer, Magnetometer, Gyroscope, Time of Flight (ToF) Proximity, Ambient Light, Altimeter, Activity Monitor Price £560, $699 (unlocked SIM-free)

This is it. The last hurrah. The all-in, every-egg-in-the-basket, everything-including-the-kitchen-sink, last-ditch attempt to save a company—or at least part of it. The Priv, Blackberry's first phone powered by Android, is designed to be all things to all people: a slick consumer device with a great display, sharp camera, and access to a huge library of apps; a business workhorse with long battery life, slick e-mail functionality, and a physical keyboard; and a secure, Fort Knox phone for the tin-foil hat brigade (and/or enterprise IT types).

This is a big ask, particularly for a company that hasn't launched a truly successful device since the Bold in 2008.

It is with great sadness, then, that I must report that the Priv doesn't quite hit the mark.

Or at least, in the few days I've spent with it, it hasn't. Unfortunately, the review embargo for the Priv was set to lift just two days after review samples were sent to the press, which isn't enough time to come to a concrete conclusion on what it's actually like to use as a phone on a daily basis. So consider this a "first impressions," with a full review to follow. There is also every chance that the final production version of the Priv will be better than the review sample that we received.

Design

Let's start with the positives. The Priv's 5.43-inch, 2560×1440, 540 PPI, AMOLED display is colourful, pin sharp, and insanely bright. Like the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge, it curves at the edges, the Gorilla Glass 4 meeting an aluminium surround with a gentle slope. Below the screen is a large speaker that runs the width of the display; in true Blackberry fashion it's very loud and very clear, making it good for both ad-hoc conference calls and for watching YouTube videos in bed. The speaker, set below the height of the screen, hints at the Priv's USP: its slide-out physical keyboard.

Pushing up from the speaker using the handy lip reveals the physical keyboard in all its classic Blackberry glory. You'd think this would make the phone top heavy, but it remains well-balanced, a testament to Blackberry's well-honed design chops. The sliding mechanism itself is smooth and solid, with not even the slightest hint of wiggle, and it's so very hard not to keep playing with it. The only disappointment is that sliding the phone open doesn't directly answer a phone call. After all, if The Matrix has taught us anything, it's that answering phone calls with a slider is the height of '00s cool. Instead, opening the slider when a call comes in brings up a menu that lets you accept, decline, or send a canned text message.

As for the keyboard itself, after years of using touch-keyboards, going back to a physical one is an odd experience, and I typed far slower as a result of using it. I expect my typing would get better with practice, and there are plenty of people out there that swear by physical keyboards. For them, I've no doubt the move back to a four-row keyboard with the proper alt, shift, and symbol keys will be a welcome one.

The keyboard does have a few other neat tricks up its sleeve, though, many of which have been taken from the Blackberry Passport. It works as a touchpad, letting you scroll up and down or left to right just by swiping across it. Individual keys can be programmed as shortcuts, too; you can, for example, set the "T" key to open Twitter when you hold it down. Particularly useful is the ability to use the space bar as a shutter button when taking photos, making awkward shots and selfies less of a challenge.

Mark Walton

The Priv is understated and attractive.

Mark Walton

The Priv is understated and attractive.

Mark Walton

The Priv's a big phone, but it feels comfortable to hold.

Mark Walton

The rear of the Priv is covered in a strange surface that provides great grip, but isn't properly attached to the surface underneath.

Mark Walton

Mark Walton

Mark Walton

Mark Walton

The very loud and clear speaker at the bottom of the phone.

Mark Walton

Up top is the earpiece and 2MP selfie camera.

Mark Walton

The horribly ugly camera surround.

Mark Walton

The power button on the left side of the phone.

Mark Walton

Up top is the sim card slot and microSD card slot.

Mark Walton

Mark Walton

The Priv sat next to an iPhone 6.

Mark Walton

The Priv's thickness versus the iPhone 6.

The rest of the Priv follows Blackberry's business chic aesthetic, which means you can have it in any colour you like as long as it's black, and you don't mind a lack of flashy adornments. Personally, I think it looks rather handsome. The power button on the left of the phone and the volume buttons on the right are simple, inoffensive chrome affairs that have a satisfying click to them, while the bottom of the chassis houses a no-fuss micro USB socket and 3.5mm headphone jack. Up top there's a two-tone effect where the aluminium housing of the screen meets the black plastic of the rear, with the black section containing the SIM card tray and micro SD tray (which supports up to 2TB cards, should they ever actually come out).

So far, so good, but the rear of the phone is where things start to get a little ugly. For starters, ohhh that camera surround. I've no idea why it's so big when the module itself—an 18MP, Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS), Phase Detect Auto Focus (PDAF) affair—is so small, and it reminds me of the ancient Nokia 6600—not a good a thing for a 2015 device. Beside that is a two-tone LED flash, with a metallic Blackberry logo set below. The back of the Priv is covered in surprisingly grippy coating that looks a little like carbon fibre.

While the rear panel does a good job of making a flagship phone non-slippery (a rare thing indeed), there's something not quite right with it. When you gently press on the back of the Priv, the backplate flexes and moves, as if there's a fairly sizeable air gap beneath. This is not something you'd expect from a phone that costs £560 ($699). Nor would you expect the phone to feel or sound hollow when you tap on the glass to open apps or use the touchscreen keyboard. Given the Priv I'm using is a non-final production model, there's a chance that this won't afflict retail units, but if it does, it's a massive strike against the Priv's build quality and feel.

Software

Rejoice, for the Priv is mostly based on stock Android 5.1.1 Lollipop (Blackberry is promising a Marshmallow version for the new year). Even things that OEMs love to toy with for no real reason, like the settings menu or notifications shade, look like the stock Android version. Blackberry's modifications are small, mostly to make use of either the keyboard or the curved display. For instance, if you swipe in from the edge of the display, you can view your calendar or recent messages or view recent messages. If you've used the Galaxy Edge, it's not dissimilar to that. When charging the Priv, a small coloured line creeps around the edge of the display. You can most certainly live without both.

More useful is Blackberry Hub, which brings all of your e-mail, social media accounts, and messaging services into a single app, letting you manage everything in an e-mail-like fashion. Blackberry Hub has always been one of the best reasons to buy a modern Blackberry phone, and it remains just as useful on the Priv. I especially love how you can snooze message alerts by time, by GPS location, or even by Wi-Fi network. For instance, if you receive a personal e-mail during the day, you can snooze it until your phone connects to your home Wi-Fi network, after which it'll remind you to fire over a reply. Very cool.

Thankfully, the hideous default wallpaper is easily replaced.

Thankfully, the hideous default wallpaper is easily replaced.

Holding down the home button brings up shortcuts to Google, Blackberry Search, and Blackberry Hub.

The productivity tab sits at the edge of the curved display.

The default Priv home screen shortcuts.

Notifications use the stock Google UI, with a few extra icons added at the top.

Blackberry Hub remains one of the best things about owning a Blackberry.

Snoozing messages is a particularly great feature.

DTEK software rates your Priv's security.

DTEK also allows you to see what things apps have been accessing on your phone.

Opening the slider when a call comes in brings up this menu. I would much rather it just answer the call.

Widgets can be swiped in from app icons.

Another Priv feature lets you integrate widgets into app icons. This lets you swipe up from an app icon to bring up its widget, rather than have it sit on the home screen using up space. Meanwhile, pressing and holding on the home button not only brings up the Google Now icon, but also brings up shortcuts to Blackberry search and Blackberry Hub.

There's also the DTEK app, which is a way for Blackberry to tell you how secure your device is. Aside from giving you a security rating, it gives you recommendations for how to improve your security, such as whether data encryption is enabled, or whether you've installed the latest updates. Most useful is the ability to dive into individual apps and see when they've been tapping your location or accessing certain files on your phone. We've all downloaded the odd app in a rush without really reading through exactly what it's accessing, so it's useful to be able to see exactly what every app is doing and when. For instance, if it's reading your location, DTEK will give you a history of readings, as well as the location.

Furthermore, to help with security, Blackberry is promising to issue security updates at least once a month for SIM-free users—but it also admits that its time estimate will differ by carrier and location.

Are any of these apps or software mods enough to warrant buying a Priv over any other Android device? I'm not so sure, particularly for the regular consumers Blackberry is hoping to attract.

Camera, battery, and performance

On paper, the Priv's camera should be brilliant. It's an 18MP module with OIS, PDAF, fast focus lock, dual-LED flash, 1080p video recording at 60 FPS, and 4K video recording at 30 FPS.

Unfortunately, from the few photos that I've taken with the Priv, it doesn't look great, with photos that are both soft and noisy. Low-light photos are even worse, and most irritatingly, the Priv's image processing is horribly slow. Take a photo in low-light and it takes a good few seconds before you can view it in the gallery, slowing down the whole phone in the process.

Hopefully this is a software issue that Blackberry can fix—but right now, I can't imagine using the Priv's camera for anything but the odd social media snap. As Android cameras go, it's at the bottom of the pile.

Some quick shots from inside the Ars UK office.

Some quick shots from inside the Ars UK office.

My desk! Some sensitive information was blurred out via Photoshop, but otherwise untouched.

A random scull next to the Wired design chaps.

Night shot with HDR on.

And with HDR off.

Then there's the battery life. Again, on paper it should be fantastic. The Priv sports a huge 3410mAh battery that goes some way towards explaining its hefty 192g weight. Blackberry says this should net around 22 hours of mixed usage... but for me, the Priv was out of juice by around 10 in the evening after being unplugged at eight in the morning. That only works out to around 14 hours, far below what Blackberry claims. Even with the heavier usage I put the phone through in testing, I'd have expected far more from a battery so large.

Further Reading BlackBerry CEO won't commit to BB10 devices, hints at leaving handset market

With an Android phone in the works, only "business choices" will dictate the future.

At the very least, the Priv performs well thanks to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 inside, which is the same SoC used in the LG G4. The only problem is that it gets very hot very quickly when under load, to the point where it's uncomfortable. I didn't notice any throttling taking place, but the benchmarks in the full review should reveal if the heat is getting out of hand. One final note on the Privs performance: the headphone amp is terrible. I know Blackberry isn't exactly pitching the Priv as having killer audio, but the volume it puts out is so weak that it barely managed to drive the UE 900 headphones I tested it with—and those aren't anywhere near as demanding as some over-the-ear sets.

Maybe that all sounds like nitpicking, but for what is an expensive device, the Priv needs to do better. As cheap smartphones get good, and good smartphones get cheap, anyone launching a device at the top end of the market needs to do something special to warrant the price. That's especially true for the Priv, which bears the weight of expectation of a million Blackberry fanboys and an increasingly agitated group of shareholders. Unfortunately for Blackberry, I don't think the Priv is the saviour it so desperately needs.

This post originated on Ars Technica UK

Source: Blackberry Priv early impressions: This is (currently) not a very good phone

Watch "Super" Serena Williams stop would-be phone thief

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By: Chris Chase | November 5, 2015 9:38 am Follow @chaztopher

On Wednesday, we shared a story that Serena Williams had shared about chasing down a would-be phone thief while eating at a Chinese restaurant. This morning, Good Morning America got the video. And while I want to temper your expectations (security camera footage makes not for a riveting narrative) , take a moment to appreciate what's going down in this clip:

WATCH: ABC News​ Exclusive: @serenawilliams​ stops alleged thief who grabs her phone: https://t.co/TKpPyyWnrv pic.twitter.com/meCmdXm57O

— Good Morning America (@GMA) November 5, 2015

The video is a little tough to make out at first. Serena runs through the restaurant (we aren't shown the man leaving). Notice all the heads in the place go up to casually look at her. Being a celebrity must be so weird. Then you see Serena up close leaving the restaurant. When she gets outside, she sees the alleged culprit slowly walking away, incompetently trying to put his jacket on. Serena approaches, the two have a brief encounter, one in which Serena says she politely asked if he might have taken the wrong phone, despite knowing full well that this wasn't a mistake. The man quickly gives up the phone and Metropolis is saved for another day thanks to Super-Serena.

Pretty harrowing? Not really. But then you think about the hundreds of ways this could have gone poorly and you appreciate Serena's toughness in going after the phone and her successful retrieval that much more. I guess she had sized up the guy in the restaurant, realized she could take him if it came to that and pretty awesomely made him turn it over without so much as a protest.

Super Serena, a new alter ego?

Three more of today's top viral videos:

89-year-old man tries stand-up for the first time

Two men in jet packs chase a jumbo jet in Dubai

Chris Stapleton steals the show at the CMAs

Crime, Good Morning America, Serena Williams, WTA, Tennis 

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Source: Watch "Super" Serena Williams stop would-be phone thief

Google Nexus 5X review: The best value phone you can buy

Google's Nexus 5X is a phone you need to check out.

IF YOU don't want to buy the latest iPhone, you're going to be checking out a device running Google's Android.

Manufacturers such as Samsung, LG and Sony are all pushing each other's boundaries when it comes to smartphone hardware, with screens, cameras and processors constantly taking huge leaps.

But nearly every smartphone maker tries to add their own flavour and twist to the Android operating system which makes the Google experience slower, uglier and sometimes harder to use.

Google, sick of manufacturers butchering its software began releasing its own Nexus line in 2010 to show off what "pure Android" looks like. And while they nailed the software part, their phones were often let down by poor cameras, bad battery life and cheap screens.

The 5.2-inch Nexus 5X, left and its bigger 5.7-inch Nexus 6P brother on the right.Source:The Wall Street Journal

But Google has two new Nexus devices, the 6P and the 5X, which it believes has finally nailed the brief in both the software and hardware department. While the Huawei made Nexus 6P is the flagship in the series, it's the LG-made Nexus 5X which is arguably the more important device.

Mainly because it's priced from $659 for the 16GB model which is over $300 cheaper than its Apple and Samsung rivals. And it's done that without any real corners cut.

The 5.2-inch screen uses the same IPS technology as the excellent LG G4, just a tad lower, but still higher than iPhone 6s 1080p resolution. While colours aren't as rich as they are on the likes of the Samsung Galaxy Note 5, it certainly doesn't leave you searching for anything more, and you only notice the difference when you're looking at the two side-by-side.

The design itself is a mixture of glass on the front and polycarbonate (fancy plastic) on the back, and that's honestly not a bad thing. The polycarbonate back actually feels really nice in the hand, and while it certainly doesn't feel as premium as a rose gold iPhone, it definitely doesn't feel cheap.

For the first time on a Nexus device, there's also a fingerprint reader on the rear, which works fantasticly. Not only does it pick up your finger just as fast as an iPhone 6s, the rear-position is a convenient place to have it. When you pick up your phone, you naturally place your index finger over the reader before you even think about moving your thumb to the screen. The only times I ever wanted it to be on the front of the device was when I had the phone rested on my desk and wanted to quickly check something without needing to pick the device up.

Of course, the rear also is home to the camera. And I'm happy to say, we finally have a Nexus device that can take decent pictures.

The camera's LG-derived laser-autofocus works brilliantly.Source:Supplied

The 12.3-megapixel snapper takes brilliant pictures in naturally light conditions, with accurate, rich colouring and a good ability to distinguish between shadows. But in lowlight conditions, this is where the Nexus really shines though, with its big pixels allowing lots of light in, you can often take good pictures that wouldn't even be possible on an iPhone.

While it nails it in those situations, I found in the default Google Camera app, white balance was all over the place in artificial light. If you take a picture, even in your living room with all the lights on, you can look at the photo and the real thing and see that the colours don't match.

This was mostly caused by the underwhelming Google Camera app which comes installed by default.

But there is good news. Thanks to the beauty of Android you're able to download another camera app which can process images much better.

I ended up using Manual Camera which not only has a much better auto mode, gives you full manual camera controls.

The camera isn't quite as good as the LG G4's or Samsung Galaxy Note 5's, but it's just about the next best thing.

Alongside the Nexus 6P, the 5X is the first device to run Google's latest version of Android, Marshmallow 6.0. It's mostly just small tweaks that speed things up and make it look prettier, but the addition of Google Now on Tap is welcome.

Essentially, Now on Tap works by you holding the home button while in an app and it will bring up relevant information based on what's happening inside the app. For example, someone might ask you how far away you're from Chatswood. Now on Tap will use your GPS to give you an estimated time within seconds. It works really well, and is probably my favourite Android feature in recent years.

Sadly, it is hampered by poor battery life. I would take the phone off its charger at 6:30AM each morning, and use it quite heavily throughout the day, making calls, checking social media, emailing and using various other apps, and I'd be getting the 15 per cent low battery notification by 5PM. Granted, both the iPhone 6s and Samsung Galaxy S6 aren't any better, the Nexus 5X actually has a physically larger battery which makes this disappointing.

Also worth noting is the fact it uses a USB Type C connector. This is the new style that most phones and computers will be moving to soon, but right now the only other device using USB Type C to come across my desk has been Apple's new Macbook. So make sure if you're going away you remember your charger, because it will be extremely unlikely someone will be able to lend you theirs.

So should you buy it? If you're the person who absolutely needs the best of the best, then this isn't the phone for you, it's a tiny bit slower, has a lower resolution screen and slightly worse camera than the likes of the Samsung Galaxy Note 5. But if you want a phone that runs a clean version of Android that does everything you want it to do really well at a great price, the Nexus 5X might just be the best value phone you can buy.

Source: Google Nexus 5X review: The best value phone you can buy

Everything you need to know about the BlackBerry Priv Android phone

Android fans who still desire a physical keyboard will have something to celebrate later this year, because after months of rumors, BlackBerry has confirmed it's ready to release an Android phone. It's called the Priv, and here's everything we know so far.

Updated on 11-02-2015 by Robert Nazarian: Added in AT&T availability and pricing.

Network support, price, and pre-order details for the Priv

BlackBerry has opened up pre-orders for the Priv in the United States, U.K., and Canada. Here are all the places where you can buy or reserve an unlocked, SIM-free BlackBerry Priv, as well as the pricing for each of those countries:

United States:

ShopBlackBerry U.S. ($700 USD)

Canada:

Rogers (Reserve your device)ShopBlackBerry Canada ($900 CDN)

United Kingdom:

Carphone WarehouseShopBlackBerry U.K. (£560 Incl. VAT)

We'll continue to update this section as more pricing information becomes available.

AT&T will be the first U.S. carrier to offer the BlackBerry Priv. It will be available in retail stores and online starting November 6. Customers can purchase the phone for $249 with a two-year contract or via AT&T Next with $0 down. You have your choice of Next 24 (30 payments) for $24.67 per month, Next 18 (24 months) for $30.84 per month, or Next 12 (20 months) for $37 per month. The total comes to $740.

If you're wondering about T-Mobile, Sprint, or Verizon, those carriers haven't announced anything yet. The phone sold through the BlackBerry store is designed to work with GSM networks, but an Instagram picture posted at the beginning of November gives hope to Verizon subscribers that a CDMA version may exist. The photo shows the Priv connected to Verizon Wireless, and according to the accompanying comments, is a test phone from BlackBerry.

High-end specs and Android

BlackBerry has gone all out with its first Android phone, so the specs are about as high-end as any other flagship Android phone — unfortunately, the Priv also has a high price tag to match.The phone has an intriguing slider design, the likes of which we haven't seen in a number of years., so that users can choose between a virtual keyboard or a physical keyboard. When you slide the screen back, a full QWERTY keyboard in the old-school BlackBerry style is revealed. The keys are touch sensitive for scrolling and cursor control, too, so you can use it as a trackpad if need be.

Related: The pressure's on Priv: BlackBerry may quit handsets if new phone doesn't sell

Adding flair to the eccentric design is an immersive dual-curved screen made out of Corning Gorilla Glass 4. The 5.4-inch OLED packs a pixel resolution of 2,560 x 1,440 and a pixel density of 540ppi. A Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 processor powers the Priv, along with 3GB of RAM. While it may not be the latest processor, it is the same one found in the LG G4 and Moto X Style Pure Edition, which is to say, it's more than zippy enough.

BlackBerry placed 32GB of storage in the Priv, which is expandable out to 2TB via a MicroSD card slot. A 3,410mAh battery promises to keep the phone running through 22.5 hours of mixed use, according to BlackBerry. Luckily, it supports Quick Charge 2.0, so even if the Priv doesn't last as long as BlackBerry says it does, you'll be able to juice it up quickly.

Related: BlackBerry Classic review

On the back of the phone, there's an 18-megapixel dual-flash camera that's certified by Schneider-Kreuznach. The camera app offers settings so you can tweak the photos, and the sensor itself boasts Phase Detection Auto Focus, OIS, and dual-color flash. There's also a 2-megapixel, front-facing camera.

BlackBerry's new Android apps

When it comes to software, BlackBerry's added a few bells and whistles to make Android secure enough to suit its standards. The BlackBerry Hub is included, which brings all your messages into one feed, as are other standard BlackBerry apps like BBM. BlackBerry's special DTEK for Android software will also alert you when your privacy may be at risk, give you a security rating for your device, and it offers for specific security features, so that you know what's going on with your personal info and more. You can determine which apps and services are allowed to use your microphone, camera, contacts, and more.

BlackBerry released a range of apps onto the Google Play store in late October. The apps will be pre-installed on the BlackBerry Priv, and are apparently only usable on that device. Users that tried to download the apps were informed that their devices are incompatible.

The apps include: BlackBerry Launcher, Keyboard, Camera, and Services. Password Keeper has been added to store all passwords in a single folder, encrypted and secured by BlackBerry — the app can also import info for previous BlackBerry owners moving to Android. DTEK for BlackBerry and MicrosoftexFat for BlackBerry have also been added to the Google Play store.

Related: BlackBerry CEO shows off new Priv phone in awkward interview

Having all of the applications on the Google Play store should make them instantly available without a firmware update. BlackBerry plans to offer an almost stock experience, with additional security and some new applications ported over from BB10.

You can check out all the specs and more information on BlackBerry's website here.

Next page: All the rumors and news prior to the preorder announcement Official images show us what's in store

After officially announcing the BlackBerry Priv, the company acknowledged an outpouring of interest on its blog. It's obvious that fans want more information, and while BlackBerry isn't ready to divulge all the details of the Priv, the company did post three images of the phone to whet our appetites.

The images look very similar to previous leaked images, but we now know for sure what the Priv will look like. One thing to note that wasn't always obvious in prior images is the button placement on the right side. The power button is placed between the volume up and down keys. This will likely add some confusion to current Android users.

It appears that BlackBerry is poised to take advantage of this new-found attention. The company plans on releasing more pictures, videos, and hardware specs in drips and drabs leading up to the official unveiling.

Super specs, high price, but no release date

You can pre-register interest in the BlackBerry Priv on the company's website, but official details on the phone are still limited. We do know it'll have a 5.4-inch touchscreen with curved edges, a slide-out keyboard, and a 3140mAh battery inside. The camera will feature Schneider-Kreuznach technology.

Unofficially, we know a little more, after a complete spec list was published by BlackBerry on its website, before being quickly taken down. The list was then republished over at the CrackBerry forums. It states the 5.4-inch screen will have a 2560 x 1440 pixel resolution for a 540ppi pixel density, and that a Snapdragon 808 with 3GB of RAM will provide the power. The 32GB of internal memory should be expandable using a MicroSD card, while the camera on the rear may have 18 megapixels, and the front 2 megapixels. Android 5.1.1 was apparently listed as the OS, and the phone itself will weigh a mighty 192 grams, and measure 9.4mm thick.

View gallery

.The battery is supposedly a 3410mAh cell with fast charging capabilities, and while it'll probably be fixed in place, the Priv should have wireless charging and support both the Qi and PMA standards. None of this is official yet though, and the BlackBerry page has been removed, so there could be changes between now and the release.

BlackBerry CEO John Chen has said the Priv will launch later this year, and that the company's in talks with carriers to offer the phone with a contract. Although he hasn't give an exact cost, he said the Priv will have a "high-end price." The aforementioned BlackBerry webpage that leaked the specs, also leaked the price — a steep $750 unlocked. The Passport sells for around $600, and even the most expensive Android phones, the Galaxy Note 5 for example, cost less. You can grab a new Nexus 6P for $500, don't forget.

Priv is for Privacy

At the Recode Mobile 2015 conference in October, CEO John Chen emphasised the importance of security, saying that by integrating Android with BlackBerry's secure stack, it's, "probably on the same level as Samsung's Knox." The Knox system has seen wide approval for use in the Enterprise world, and by the NSA and U.S. government.

After this, BlackBerry has revealed a little more about how the phone will improve on Android's spotty security. In an official blog post, the company lists four ways the Priv will keep your device safe from hacking or security threats.

Most importantly, it promises to keep on top of newly discovered vulnerabilities, and quickly patch them with software updates — something the rest of the Android community is only just coming around to doing. The BlackBerry Messenger app, already a privacy-orientated messaging platform, will be built-in, and the Priv offers support for other, similar apps designed for business use. It specifically mentions WatchDox, the file sharing app, and SecuSuite for private voice calls.

A mysterious new app called BlackBerry Dtek will be installed, which will be a Priv exclusive, that will monitor the phone and act as an early warning system for potential privacy issues. There are no details yet, but BlackBerry says it's made for convenience, indicating annoying popups asking for permission to do something should be kept to the minimum.

Finally, the Priv will come with BlackBerry's Picture Login system, introduced with BlackBerry OS 10.2.1. It's an usual way of mixing pictures and a simple password to secure your phone, and protects the user from many common ways for hackers to figure out your password. Although no details are offered, BlackBerry says it has "performed extensive surgery" inside Android to improve overall security and privacy.

BlackBerry Priv quietly announced

In late September, inside the company's second quarter financial results, BlackBerry confirmed it was making an Android smartphone called the BlackBerry Priv, and it'll be on sale before the end of the year. The news came after a stream of rumors surrounding the device, and news that sales of its BlackBerry phones reached just 800,000, a third of that seen a year ago, and overall sales dropped by half at the same time.

CEO John Chen wrote in a statement that the company is "focused on making faster progress to achieve profitability in our handset business," and this has resulted in the Priv, an Android smartphone. According to Chen, it will "combine the best of BlackBerry security and productivity with the expansive mobile application ecosystem available on the Android platform."

The Priv will have a slider design, and support both Android for Work and BlackBerry's BES12 platform, showing the firm is aiming it more towards business and Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) users. It's not abandoning BlackBerry 10, and will release version 10.3.3 in March next year.

We're told more will be revealed in the coming weeks, and the device will be sold in stores and online before the end of the year.

Next page: Read the rumors leading up to the BlackBerry Priv's official announcement

This page: All the rumors regarding the BlackBerry Priv

A Blackberry phone with a codename of Venice leaked back in June, and was believed to be running Android. It was slated to arrive in November with the following specs: a 5.4-inch Quad-HD screen, a 1.8GHz 64-bit hexa-core Snapdragon 808 processor, 3GB RAM, as well as an 18-megapixel rear camera and a 5-megapixel front-facing camera.

Related: Is BlackBerry making an Android phone?

The Venice was shown to have a slide-out physical keyboard, suggesting it was the mysterious slider device CEO John Chen teased at Mobile World Congress. Rumors said the display supposedly has dual-curved edges just like the Galaxy S6 Edge.

View gallery

.In mid-September, Baka Mobile released a hands on video with an alleged BlackBerry Venice evaluation unit. This video reveals a quick launcher to the BlackBerry Hub, Google services, and global searching for both the Web and phone data. The default Web search appears to be Google since the Google Search bar is active on the main screen.

The main interface looks very close to stock Android, but there is no question BlackBerry will add it's own services into the mix.

We also get a fantastic look at the physical keyboard and the sliding mechanism. The keyboard itself is capacitive, meaning that you will be able to swipe it to scroll content on the main display. It looks really slick.

Content freaks will also be happy to know that a MicroSD slot is onboard as well. Unfortunately, we don't know how large a card it will accept.

On top of the video, Android Authority released a few more pictures of the BlackBerry Venice. The pictures don't reveal anything new other than they continue to confirm the existence of Android. However, we now know the model number, which is STV100-6.

Apparently more than a few people were sporting the BlackBerry Venice at the Toronto Film Festival in mid-September. This isn't a surprise since the company's headquarters is only 70 miles away. One fan was able to sneak up behind someone using the said device and capture it on camera.

Although not the greatest photo, it showed the Venice running Android. The app appearing on the display looks awfully similar to Google's Messenger app. Take a look at the second image below, which shows the Messenger app side-by-side with the phone.

The first high-quality images of what could be the BlackBerry Venice slider appeared online in late August. They give further confirmation to what the keyboard looks like and the presence of Google apps. However, this is the first time we get to see the sliding mechanism from the back of the device. You will also notice that the rear camera will likely sport dual LED flash.

Famous leaker Evan Blass posted two GIFs in mid- to late August of what could be the BlackBerry Venice. The first animation is a closeup of the physical keyboard and the rear 18-megapixel camera.

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This second animation shows the keyboard sliding down. You will also see that many Google apps appear on the device indicating that it will be Google certified.

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Following a variety of shadowy leaked images, a clear press-style image of what may be the BlackBerry Venice was posted on Twitter by Evan Blass in mid-August. The picture shows the phone with its slider section extended, revealing a physical keyboard. Above it, on the display, is what looks like Android.

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In mid-August, Crackberry forum member Mikey_NNG posted an alleged image of the on-screen keyboard from the BlackBerry Venice. He claims to have played with the device for a few minutes and it was running Android Lollipop. The back button is more spaced out than on existing BlackBerry keyboards, indicating that it is indeed an Android. A curved edge display is also clearly visible.

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Alleged renders of the BlackBerry Venice were posted in early August by Crackberry, and they reveal an Android interface, a curved edge display, and an 18-megapixel camera. The first render shows what appears to be the BlackBerry Hub running on Android. The circular action button (pen icon) at the bottom center of the display complies with Android's material design principles.

Android and Google Play?

A GIF posted by leaker Even Blass in late August reveals the BlackBerry Productivity Suite, which includes the BlackBerry Hub, contacts, and unified calendar apps. These apps are not presently available on Android, but the Material Design elements are a clear sign they were developed with Android in mind. They are likely to debut on the BlackBerry Venice.

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Leaked photos of the Venice and possible marketing materials suggest the phone will have complete access to Google's apps. Early on, the Chromecast icon appeared in the renders, for example. The latest picture of the phone shows a wide variety of Android apps that aren't available for BlackBerry phones, including Google Maps, Hangouts, Google Calendar, and most importantly, Google Play.

In addition to the presentation slides posted by Crackberry — which also showed an image of the previously leaked 18-megapixel rear camera — another two slides were added to the collection by Evan Blass on his Twitter account, this time showing the phone with Google Play on the screen, and one referencing a content transfer app. In this slide, reference is made to an "Android BlackBerry device."

In early August, a tweet stated that T-Mobile will offer the BlackBerry Venice slider, which followed the news that AT&T would also offer the phone.

BlackBerry Venice slated for T-Mobile lineup, as well.

— Evan Blass (@evleaks) August 8, 2015

The Android-powered BlackBerry Venice slider is AT&T-bound.

— Evan Blass (@evleaks) July 2, 2015

BlackBerry's second Android phone could be codenamed 'Prague' and based on the Passport

In late August, images of black and silver BlackBerry Passports running Android 5.1 were leaked by Evan Blass and Dudu Rocha. The first couple of images are press renders from Evan Blass, but the other three are actual hands on pictures courtesy of Dudu Rocha.

According to Dudu Rocha, this Passport Android device will have a 4.5-inch square display, a 2.26GHz quad-core Snapdragon 801 processor, an Adreno 330 GPU, 3GB of RAM, 13-megapixel rear camera, and a 3,450mAh battery.

The images were lifted from a video, and shortly after they were posted online, the entire video was discovered. The silver Passport is identified under the codename Oslo, and appears to run Android Lollipop with a variety of BlackBerry tools installed, along with access to Google Play. The origin of the phone is unknown, so we don't know whether it's a homebrew device, or something more official. Take a look at the video below.

This same phone was tweeted about in early July as a second BlackBerry phone running Android. The text of the tweet stated, "Also, /this/," which refers to a second BlackBerry phone headed to AT&T, the other one being the Venice.

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The above image cannot be the Venice since it doesn't appear to be a slider. We can only assume it's the Prague, but the codename wasn't specified. Earlier reports said the Prague would resemble the BlackBerry Z3, but this image looks more like a Passport (pictured below).

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There's still confusion over BlackBerry's plans

While the Venice is expected to be a premium handset, sources say that BlackBerry is thinking about emerging markets for another Android phone — and that could be where the Prague fits in.

However, as of late September, BlackBerry has only announced one Android phone — the Priv. We'll keep you updated with more news as it emerges.

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Previous Updates:

Updated on 11-02-2015 by Andy Boxall: Added in a leaked photo that could show the BlackBerry Priv connected to Verizon.

Updated on 10-27-2015 by David Curry: Added in BlackBerry's new apps for Android. 

Updated on 10-23-2015 by Malarie Gokey: Added in official pricing, preorder information, and specs for the BlackBerry Priv.

Updated on 10-23-2015 by Andy Boxall: Added in leaked pricing and a list of newly leaked specs for the Priv.

Updated on 10-20-2015 by Andy Boxall: Added in further information on the Priv, with new specs, how it improves on Android's privacy aspects, and the option to pre-register interest.

Updated on 10-08-2015 by Andy Boxall: Added in further information on the Priv, revealed by BlackBerry CEO John Chen.

Updated on 10-01-2015 by Robert Nazarian: Added in official images of the Priv released by BlackBerry

Updated on 09-25-2015 by Andy Boxall: Added in official news that the BlackBerry Priv is real, and coming in the near future.

Updated on 09-14-2015 by Robert Nazarian: Added in a hands on video and more pictures of the BlackBerry Venice.

Updated on 09-14-2015 by Robert Nazarian: Added in image of BlackBerry Venice at Toronto Film Festival.

Updated on 08-30-2015 by Robert Nazarian: Added in hands on images of the BlackBerry Venice slider.

Updated on 08-25-2015 by Andy Boxall: Added in a video showing a silver BlackBerry Passport running Android.

Updated on 08-23-2015 by Robert Nazarian: Added in new animated GIF images of the BlackBerry Venice running Android along with images and specs of a BlackBerry Passport running Android. 

Updated on 08-19-2015 by Andy Boxall: Added in new images of the BlackBerry phone, plus information it may have access to Google Play.

Updated on 08-16-2015 by Robert Nazarian: Added in renders of the Venice, along with a photo of its on-screen keyboard.

Updated on 08-10-2015 by Robert Nazarian: Added in news of the "Venice" possibly headed to T-Mobile.

Updated on 07-02-2015 by Robert Nazarian: Added in news of the "Venice" headed to AT&T and an image of what could be another BlackBerry Android phone.

Updated on 06-19-2015 by Robert Nazarian: Added in news of another rumored Android phone called the "Prague" and that the "Venice" might not be running Android after all.

Samsung Galaxy View rumors and news leaks

Google Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P: Rumors and news leaks

Everything you need to know about the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge Plus

Handheld & Connected Devices

Technology & Electronics

Android phone

BlackBerry

BlackBerry Priv

Source: Everything you need to know about the BlackBerry Priv Android phone

Motorola Moto X Force Hands-on: We try to break the unbreakable Android phone

Even on a normal day, there's something about the phrase "guaranteed unbreakable!" to get technology journalists itching to start smashing stuff. But when it's a brand as big as Motorola making that claim - and it's about a smartphone screen, no less - the sound of people sharpening hammers is almost deafening.

Because we've all been there. A momentary lapse in grip, a short plummet to the pavement, and... pow - you get to spend the eight months left on your contract gingerly prodding a jagged, picture-ruining broken display. Enter, then, the shatterproof Moto X Force - the supposed saviour of buttery-fingered smartphone owners everywhere.

Now, there have been dozens of 'rugged' and 'drop proof' phones in the past. Some of them haven't been half bad, but the Moto X Force is different. For a start, it doesn't have a crocked specs sheet. It also isn't ridiculously bulky and ugly enough to make you want to scratch your eyes out. It's a full-on flagship phone. Just one that you c an happily let slip to the concrete without fearing a broken screen.

Sure, with a £499 price tag the phone isn't cheap. But when you've never got to worry about insurance or repair bills, that's not too startling a figure. After an early play, we can't wait for this phone to hit the market later this month.

Moto X Force Design: Plain but pleasant

So the Moto X Force might not be as drool-inducingly pretty as the iPhone 6S or Samsung Galaxy S6 edge, but it's not an ugly device either. It's just slightly plain. With an appearance markedly similar to the Moto X Play, the Force lines up with its innovative 5.4-inch panel and powerful array of innards wrapped within a 9.2mm thick, 169g frame.

A device that's comfortable to hold - despite its heavily tapered rear design - its metal edging and a rugged nylon rear extend the phone's toughs far beyond its fumble-friendly display. Finished in a water-repellent nano-coating it's even protected against the wet stuff. This really is a device for the accident-prone.

If you want to give the Force a less ordinary finish, you can. The phone can be customised using the company's Moto Maker service. Don't like the hardwearing ballistic nylon finish? Fine. You can coat the Moto X Style sibling in a number of leather or silicone finishes. Each material is even available in a range of colours to suit your tastes. Nice.

Moto X Force Screen: Sturdy and stunning

The phone's party piece and headline feature is its shatterproof panel. This thing really is amazing. Without hampering image quality - there's no diminishing brightness, blurring, or heavily recessed images - it protects the device against virtually any accident that c ould possibly befall it.

How? Well, the 5.4-inch Android phone features an all-new, extra tough screen dubbed Moto ShatterShield. The five-layer panel is so tough, the manufacturer guarantees it won't crack or shatter for four years of use - unless you intentionally hammer a nail through it, that is.

Despite only having 30 minutes with the device, we gave these claims a thorough test. From banging it screen-first against the corner of a desk to dropping it display-down from above head height to a stone floor we tried our best to bash and bruise this handset.

Tests that would have resulted in catastrophic breakages on virtually any other device caused no issues at all here. Throwing the phone floorwards didn't produce a single crack, scratch or scrape. This phone is incredibly resilient.

Unlike most rugged phones, the Force hasn't traded screen quality for protection. This thing isn't just sturdy, it's gorgeous too. The 2560 x 1440 pixel QHD resolution echoes that found on handsets such as the LG G4 and Samsung Galaxy S6. This is as good as smartphone screens get right now. Why can't all devices feature this display?

Moto X Force Features: More than just a party piece

It's not just the Force's screen that's impressive. This high-end handset features a specs sheet that impresses across the board. Qualcomm's 64-bit Snapdragon 810 processor is paired with 3GB of RAM to form a combination that should handle any task you can throw at it without trouble. It's a similar set-up to the Sony Xperia Z5.

Coming in both 32GB and 64GB guises - each with microSD support up to 2TB (take that iPhone 6S Plus) - the Force runs a near untouched version of Android 5.1.1 Lollipop direct from the box. With an Android 6.0 Marshmallow update confirmed to be in the works, this near stock Android experience keeps the phone clean and smooth to operate. It's a nice change from the usually clunky skins applied to such handsets.

In terms of battery life, Motorola claims the Force's 3,760mAh will get you through two full days of steady use without breaking a sweat. What's more, if you find yourself running low on power, a 15-minute trip to the TurboPower charger will fill the phone with a further 13 hours of staying power. Given our limited time with the device, however, we've been unable to verify these claims just yet. Stay tuned for our full Moto X Force review for a more detailed breakdown of the phone's battery prowess.

Moto X Force Camera: A clean sweep of impressive tech

With a 21-m egapixel primary camera, the Moto X Force should be no slouch when it comes to capturing impressive imagery. On first use, in restricted testing conditions, the snapper offered impressive shots with strong colour management and sharp, speedy focussing.

It does have the same software-based issues as its siblings though. With a screen tap activating the shutter as opposed to choosing a focal point, targeting specific elements of shots can be tricky. Further testing is required before any final judgement can be passed, however.

With the primary camera throwing 4K video recording into the mix, a secondary 5-megapixel selfie shooter sits on the device's front - enhanced by its own dedicated flash.

First Impressions

Motorola is the in-form smartphone brand of the moment - and it looks to have backed up the brilliant Moto X Play and impressive Moto X Style with something truly special. The Moto X Force isn't just a decent flagship phone: its shatterproof screen transforms it into a device that could well pave the way for all future smartphone standards. It's the revolution we've all been waiting for. Our tech is now mightier than the pavement.

Source: Motorola Moto X Force Hands-on: We try to break the unbreakable Android phone

Samsung Galaxy S4 Camera Doesn’t Focus

Welcome to another part of our focused troubleshooting series where we aim to resolve the Android related issues that our readers are facing. For this latest installment of the series we will tackle the #Samsung Galaxy #S4 camera doesn't focus issue and other camera related problems.

If you have a problem with the camera of your phone not focusing properly or taking poor quality photos then you have come to the right place as we will be providing the necessary troubleshooting steps needed to reach a resolution.

If you own a Samsung Galaxy S4  or any other Android device for that matter then feel free to contact us using this form. We will be more than happy to assist you with any concern that you may have with your device. This is a free service we are offering with no strings attached. We however ask that when you do contact us try to be as detailed as possible so that an accurate assessment can be made and the correct solution can be given.  

If you would like to browse the previous parts in this series then check out this link.  

You may also reach us at our Facebook and Google+ social media accounts.

S4 Camera Doesn't Focus

Problem: Front facing camera doesn't focus. face is blurry when camera is held at normal arm's length. objects in background is clear, the closer you get to the front facing camera the more unfocused it becomes. Got this phone new and clean, nothing installed, factory setting. not a screen protector problem. have tried factory / hard reset, no fix. please help? advice?

Solution: Have you checked if checking the front camera lens if it has any dirt or oil on it? This usually causes focus issues on the camera. If necessary you should wipe the front camera lens with a microfiber cloth. If you have a phone casing you should also remove it as it may be interfering with the front camera.

Since you already did a factory reset then this issue is not likely caused by some glitch in the phone software. You should however try to start your phone in Safe mode then check if the camera is still blurry. Make sure to  use automatic in camera settings. If it is still blurry then this may already be a hardware related problem. I suggest you bring your phone to an authorized service center and have it checked.

S4 Camera Auto Focus Not Working

Problem: I have a problem with my s4 galaxy when i tried to take a autofocus picture it doesn't as i need and i don't know why?, but when i put my hand front of camera and to tried to take autofocus it take but when i tried to focus a person who appear front of my real camera auto focus doesn't work and i don't know why but i think you will help me to fix. Thanks.

Solution: This could be a problem related to the camera app. Try clearing the cache and data of your camera app and see if the issue gets resolved. If it doesn't then proceed with wiping the cache partition of your phone.

There are also instances when an app installed in your phone may interfere with the autofocus function of your camera. Check if this is the case by starting your phone in Safe Mode. If your phone focuses normally in this mode then the problem may be caused by an app. Find out what app this is and uninstall it.

You should also try to download a third party camera app from the Google Play Store and see if the issue also occurs when using the app.

One final troubleshooting step you should consider is a factory reset. Just make sure to backup your phone data before proceeding with this.

If after the factory reset the problem still remains then I suggest you bring your phone to an authorized service center for checking.

S4 Camera Slow To Shoot

Problem: Camera is so slow to shoot, it takes at least 5 seconds after I press the button until it takes a picture.  Help!

Solution: This issue is most likely caused by a problem with the cached data.Try clearing the cache and data of your camera app. If the issue still persists then wipe the cache partition of your phone.

S4 Phone Turns Off After Using Camera

Problem: When I take photos, after about the third photo everything goes black and the phone turns off. The only way to reboot it is to take the battery out and then replace. Then I can press the start-up button on the side and it turns on.

Solution: This problem could be caused by different factors. Let's start with the software side first. If this issue is isolated only on the camera app then you should try to clear its cache and data. Follow this up by wiping the cache partition of the phone. If you have a microSD card installed in your phone then try taking it out then set your phone to save the picture in the internal storage of your phone.

If the issue persists then backup your phone data and do a factory reset.

If after the factory reset the problem still remains then you should try to get a new battery.

If the above troubleshooting steps fail to resolve the problem then I suggest you bring your phone to an authorized service center and have it checked as this may already be a hardware related issue.

S4 Unfortunately Camera Has Closed Error

Problem: Hi, When i'm open the camera on my samsung s4 she take photo normally but when i push the button to record a video the phone show me these " unfortunately camera has closed"

Solution: I suggest you try to clear the cache and data of the camera app first then check if this resolves the problem. If it doesn't then proceed with wiping the cache partition of your phone.

S4 Photos & Videos Can't Be Opened

Problem: I have samsung s4. Recorded videos and snapped pictures but unfortunately when i go to gallery it came as video cannot be played and image not showing looked damaged. Pls how can i repair the damaged videos? I have already cleared the cache and cache partition but still same problem.

Related Problem: My main issue: any photo I try to view on my phone via the Gallery app is not view-able. The app opens, and there is nothing but grey squares there. I have all my photos on a mini sd card and was able to view them on-phone back in May (the issue started around June). I have over 300 photos on the card, and I need to delete a lot, but can't- a message saying the app has stopped responding pops up. I am able to view all my photos via the Google Photos app (and have backed up the photos via the app to my computer). As my phone is my only camera right now, I really really need the issue solved soon. Also, my Camera app has completely stopped responding since I've tried a cache clearing and data clearing walk through of yours. I have tried re-booting. I have tried clearing the cache and data on the apps, as well as any media/photo related apps. I've tried several of your walkthroughs.  I have yet to do a hard reset, as I'm afraid of doing that… my phone is a Tracfone/StraighTalk phone that was activated in Alaska (I'm living in Connecticut right now). I'm afraid that a hard reset might mess with my cell carrier connection information and whatnot.  Please get back to me ASAP… I really want to be able to utilize the camera/photo part of my ""smart"" phone soon. Thanks

Solution: It's very likely that the microSD card has developed some corrupt sectors. Try using the internal storage of your phone to store the images and videos taken by your camera. Take out the microSD card then take a photo and a video. If it can be viewed after in the Gallery then the problem is caused by your microSD card. I suggest you get a new one.

As for the data stored in the microSD card you can connect this to your computer using an adapter then backup its contents. Take note that some photos and videos that are already corrupt will still not be accessible.

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Feel free to send us your questions, suggestions and problems you've encountered while using your Android phone. We support every Android device that is available in the market today. And don't worry, we won't charge you a single penny for your questions. Contact us using this form. We read every message we receive can't guarantee a quick response. If we were able to help you, please help us spread the word by sharing our posts with your friends.

Source: Samsung Galaxy S4 Camera Doesn't Focus