Blackberry should probably not even be considered a smartphone anymore.
Vibration whenever you press a key? I'm not actually sure if iPhones have it but I know for sure that Androids do. Then again I barely use it as I am mostly a swype user and tactile feedback is useless to me.
Blackberry should probably not even be considered a smartphone anymore.
You going to back that up with something useful, like a comparison of ANY kind?
The only phone with decent specs AND a hardware keyboard is the BlackBerry Q10. An interesting related news item: http://www.gsmarena.com/blackberry_ceo_says_most_new_phones_will_have_keyboards-news-7516.php
So, it seems at least the next wave of BB devices will also sport keyboards. It's a niche market, but it exists. A good way to differentiate themselves. I see them selling primarily to business people who have a second personal phone. BB for business and emails, touchscreen Android or iOS device for personal.
On the other hand, a smartphone keyboard is really not suited to touch typing. Using more than two fingers (or thumbs) is really awkward. A better option may be a good Android device (Galaxy S4 or Note 3 for example) and a JDCarpe 40% keyboard (the Smallfry board) :) The newer Samsungs (and probably some other brands) support external USB peripherals such as mice and keyboards. May be a bit big for a jacket pocket, however.
(warning, going off-topic now)
I love phones with physical QWERTY keyboards. I have owned a few: Sony Ericsson P900, P910, Xperia X1, Nokia E63, N900. Four of those also have a usable stylus, which is great for taking handwritten notes with sketches as I am wont to do.
The last phone I had with a physical keyboard was the Nokia N900. Loved that thing. So hackable, had mine running 50% overclocked (which it needed, TBH) and it had a decent fully open Linux build on it. Mini PC. I was working in Nokia and waiting for the N950 to be released so I could get it as a company phone, but... Got delayed many times and eventually cancelled as a public device. Then they released the N9 (no keyboard) and I was "rather disappointed". The whole MeeGo project was then cancelled when Stephen Flop took over the helm.
I got a Samsung Galaxy Note instead. Currently using a Note 2. Mainly because of the stylus (pressure sensitive and very accurate) and display size.
Jolla (started by ex-Nokia engineers) have kept the open source OS flame burning with their system and phone (which is selling very well in Europe and particularly in Finland, better than any individual Apple model), but it doesn't have a hardware keyboard (or stylus). I hope the next model does. It helps that they have Android compatibility.
(back on topic again)
Many Android browsers do support forward buttons (Boat, Dolphin, Firefox). I like Boat, personally.
The new blackberry has Qt and supports Android apps IIRC.
Jolla ought to have the other half (that is e.g. a hw keyboard) soon.
Q10 FTW! Yes, you can sideload android apps. I've had android handsets with a physical keyboard. Nothing can match a BB keyboard.
In fact, the BB keyboard is loved so much, a copycat version was created that works with the iphone. It's called the Typo keyboard and connects via bluetooth. If you are interested though, I would order one fast as Blackberry is suing the company behind the typo.
First smartphone I owned was the OG Motorola Droid. I'm on a Droid 4 right now. I really like the keyboard and it's a decent phone.
But I'm not a huge fan of the version of Android that comes stock on the 4. I'm going to be rooting the phone and putting a new OS on it this weekend though so hopefully I'll like it better when it comes out.
There's a chance that the LG Optimus F3Q could come to Canada . It's only 4" WVGA (480 res), dual-core 1.2GHz CPU, 2,460mAh battery, but it'll have a slide out keyboard :)Show Image(http://www.technobuffalo.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/LG-Optimus-F3Q-final-design-leak.jpg)
Ya, I find the specs are not great in comparison with something like the BB Q10. Also, its very annoying that it takes forever for stuff to get introduced in Canada, we are always way behind the curve on getting the latest phone technology. But I can get a BB Q10 (maybe thats because they are a Canadian company?).
Ya, I find the specs are not great in comparison with something like the BB Q10. Also, its very annoying that it takes forever for stuff to get introduced in Canada, we are always way behind the curve on getting the latest phone technology. But I can get a BB Q10 (maybe thats because they are a Canadian company?).
The resolution sure, but if I only had a choice between the two, I'd rather have Snapdragon 400/Adreno 305 (Most likely what the F3Q will have) than the Q10's very old Snapdragon S4 Plus MSM8960/Adreno 225 combo. That said, I agree with you on the bit about how things lag their way to Canada.
Ya, I find the specs are not great in comparison with something like the BB Q10. Also, its very annoying that it takes forever for stuff to get introduced in Canada, we are always way behind the curve on getting the latest phone technology. But I can get a BB Q10 (maybe thats because they are a Canadian company?).
The resolution sure, but if I only had a choice between the two, I'd rather have Snapdragon 400/Adreno 305 (Most likely what the F3Q will have) than the Q10's very old Snapdragon S4 Plus MSM8960/Adreno 225 combo. That said, I agree with you on the bit about how things lag their way to Canada.
Ya, I find the specs are not great in comparison with something like the BB Q10. Also, its very annoying that it takes forever for stuff to get introduced in Canada, we are always way behind the curve on getting the latest phone technology. But I can get a BB Q10 (maybe thats because they are a Canadian company?).
The resolution sure, but if I only had a choice between the two, I'd rather have Snapdragon 400/Adreno 305 (Most likely what the F3Q will have) than the Q10's very old Snapdragon S4 Plus MSM8960/Adreno 225 combo. That said, I agree with you on the bit about how things lag their way to Canada.
Newer/better innards don't always correlate with a better user experience.
I'm not really sure when BlackBerry will release the next iteration of the physical keyboard lineup. Hell, I don't even think that company knows when they will release a new product.