“The international space station, really?” I was suddenly taken back to the first time I watched War Games with (the then) high-end security, near hack proof systems and military fortitude you’d expect from NORAD. Unless you have a backdoor. “Yes,” said the very relaxed and charming Vivek Bhardwaj, Head of Software Portfolio at Blackberry, “the same software we’ve developed for the Q10 is based on the systems they use up there”. Impressed box ticked.
I was also impressed with the setting BlackBerry has chosen to launch their latest hardware, the newly opened Corner restaurant and champagne bar in Selfridges. Head Chef Keri Moss, who you will remember was joint winner of Master Chef: The Professionals last year, had prepared a themed menu that was appropriate to the brand, but the restaurant’s a tale for another time. And as much as I wanted to be the talk of the evening, I was usurped by model Lily Cole who had the chance to be the chief evangelist earlier in the week, so what was Lily evangelising about?
The Q10 is sleek in the hand with a very tactile and touchable design. The keypad is back with aplomb after the omission from the Z10 and which I might say is lovely, teasing the finger tips with its slightly raised buttons. Unlike the Z10, which felt a little light, it is weighty enough to feel as if you are holding a solid and dependable piece of kit. The back plate is made of a ‘unique to each phone’ glass fibre which shimmers and moves in the light. In all it’s a delight to look at and a pleasure to hold.
The combination of touch and keypad felt natural immediately and I was surprised at how quickly I took to it. Being a native user of touch-only phones I thought it might be a leap, but not at all. It comes pre-loaded with the main social media apps and a selection of BlackBerry only toys, but BBM and the message centre are still there ready for those accustomed to the BlackBerry OS and way of doing things.
Since I started using the phone I’ve noted other earlier model BlackBerry users looking it over with a hint of green in their gaze. This phone is a desired commodity. I have also noticed the odd bug, ending a call can sometimes take a few presses of the button and I’ve dropped some calls, but nothing that has made we want to part with it and certainly nothing that Vivek can’t cure, surely?
BlackBerry might have had a hard time over the Z10 but if ever there was a phoenix rising from the ashes of disdain to wave a wonderfully designed and practical device in the face of all the naysayers, this is it.
The BlackBerry Q10 is available on a selection of networks or can be found conveniently placed by my side in all meetings for the foreseeable future, making me look good.
For more information on the new BlackBerry Q10, please visit the website.
Key features of the BlackBerry Q10 smartphone include:
- BlackBerry® Hub which brings all your conversations together in one easy-to-manage place
- BBM™, 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 a fellow BlackBerry 10 contact.
- BlackBerry® Remember, which helps you tackle tasks quickly with a new way to collect, organise and action all the information sitting in different places across your smartphone.
- The BlackBerry Q10 has a 3.1″ SuperAMOLED display, an 8-megapixel-rear camera capable of capturing 1080p HD video, and a front-facing camera for video chatting with BBM or Skype. The BlackBerry® World™ storefront, offers apps, games, music, TV shows, and films for download.
