blackberry – PSafe Blog

Mon, 29 May 2017 18:00:19 +0000

Good news, BlackBerry lovers! Known formerly under the codename of “Mercury,” the U.S. release date for the BlackBerry KEYone has finally been unveiled. They’ll be hitting the shelves on May 31st, 2017. Already launched in the U.K. on April 27th, the KEYone’s North American debut was postponed several times by TCL, the Chinese company that now manufactures BlackBerry mobile phones. TCL first showed off the new Android at February’s Mobile World Congress, and the world hasn’t stopped buzzing with anticipation since.

After all, it wasn’t that long ago that many people wondered if BlackBerry’s days were numbered. But back in its heyday, the company was so popular that it was nicknamed “CrackBerry.” Hence, many users are thrilled that the BlackBerry KEYone will soon follow in the footsteps of 2015’s BlackBerry Priv. They’re also curious to see how this new Android compares to BlackBerry’s signature phones. The KEYone still sports a trademark QWERTY keyboard — but do the similarities end there? Keep reading to find out.

The BlackBerry KEYone’s Best Features

Reportedly selling for around $550 USD, the BlackBerry KEYone is an improved version of its predecessor, the Priv. With its sleek styling, responsive touchscreen, and a user-friendly keyboard, the KEYone pushes a lot of the right buttons. At 180 grams, it’s a sturdy model that measures in at 149.1 x 72.4 x 9.4mm. So, make sure you have enough pocket room! Here are some of the other perks below.

Display. The BlackBerry KEYone has a 4.5″ LCD display. It’s crystal clear and the touchscreen is appropriately responsive.
Camera. KEYone’s camera is a decent 12 megapixels, while the front camera offers 8 megapixels and night vision options. By BlackBerry’s standards, it’s the best quality camera seen to date. It’s able to film 4K videos, offers photo and film stabilizers, and you can take panoramas, burst photos, and even use real-time filters.
System. For the BlackBerry KEYone’s system, it’s a Snapdragon 625 processor that offers 3GB of RAM. In terms of storage, there’s a lofty 32GB. So, you can go wild downloading apps in the Google Play store!
Battery. The battery holds an impressive 3505 mAh. One user reported not having to recharge the phone after two days of usage, despite using it regularly to text, make calls, and browse the Internet. This model also recharges quickly, but it doesn’t offer wireless charging.
Phone Case. So far, the BlackBerry KEYone is only available in black with silver accents. However, this won’t be a surprise to previous BlackBerry users, who know the company is devoted to monochromatic stylings.

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Thu, 27 Apr 2017 20:00:07 +0000

If you thought physical keyboards on smartphones were a thing of the past, think again. BlackBerry phones — which are well known for their physical keyboards — have been making a comeback. So it shouldn’t be surprising that most of the best QWERTY smartphones being released this year have been designed by BlackBerry. While there are still plenty of non-BlackBerry smartphones with QWERTY keyboards, few of them can compete with BlackBerry’s design and performance. Nonetheless, check out some of 2017’s top QWERTY phones below.

BlackBerry KeyOne

The best QWERTY phone being released this year is definitely the BlackBerry KeyOne (it was previously known as BlackBerry Mercury). It still has a classic BlackBerry design, but with all of the perks of the Android operating system. Unlike the BlackBerry Priv, the KeyOne has a completely visible keyboard — i.e., it can’t be hidden behind the screen. Unlike the classic BlackBerry design, the KeyOne has a longer screen, which makes it more similar to modern Android phones. The KeyOne features an LCD screen, 3GB of RAM, 32GB of storage, a 12-megapixel rear-facing camera, an 8-megapixel front-facing camera, and a Snapdragon 625 processor. For those who are a fan of the classic BlackBerry design, this one’s for you.

BlackBerry Priv

If you’re looking for a smartphone with a QWERTY keyboard that’s more affordable than the KeyOne, then the Priv is your solution. As mentioned, this phone features a hidden, pop-out keyboard, which is appealing if you still want the look and feel of non-QWERTY smartphones. This phone has the Android operating system, a 5.4-inch HD display, an 18-megapixel rear-facing camera, a 2-megapixel front-facing camera, and the ability to record 4K video. It also has 32GB of storage and 3GB of RAM. Overall, the Priv is a great QWERTY smartphone that still performs on the same level as many recent non-QWERTY smartphones.

LG Xpression 2

This is the most affordable phone on this list. If you simply want a basic phone with a QWERTY keyboard, then this is a good phone to choose. Visually, it resembles a more compact version of T-Mobile’s once-popular Sidekick phone. It has 256MB of storage and 128MB of RAM, making this a true throwback phone. This phone features limited apps, which means this device is better for those who want to stick to phone calls, texting, and email. There’s also a camera for basic picture-taking needs. Further, if you purchase a contract with AT&T, this phone will cost next-to-nothing.

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Mon, 12 Dec 2016 19:00:01 +0000

When Google learns of a new Android vulnerability or a malicious threat, they act quickly by offering a new security patch to help fix or prevent any issues. While many devices, especially Nexus devices, will receive the latest Android security patches, many manufacturers like Samsung, Motorola, and LG are not required to pass on the latest security updates to their customers, especially in a timely manner. Further, even if these security updates are passed on, customers may choose to opt out of automatic updates, and delay the installation of crucial software updates and security patches.

BlackBerry is Ahead of the Game

However, you may be surprised to learn that BlackBerry, despite its demise in the smartphone world, has been offering the latest Android security patches at a faster rate than its competitors, such as Samsung. Since BlackBerry launched its first smartphone, it has been strongly committed to device security. BlackBerry renewed, or reaffirmed, this commitment when they launched the Android operating system on their devices.

Samsung, on the other hand, doesn’t issue immediate security updates, and may take more than a month to pass on the updates to its customers. They can also choose to not pass on security updates, though Samsung tends to be better about that than other leading manufacturers. Samsung, especially now that BlackBerry has officially decided to step out of the smartphone world, should become more devoted to timely and frequent Android security updates.

How to Protect Your Device

Firstly, make sure that your smartphone is receiving the latest security and software updates for Android. For more than a year, Google has released monthly security updates. Check out the Android Security Bulletin to ensure that you have received these monthly updates, and if you haven’t, make sure that your phone receives them. If you are using an older operating system, it may be necessary to upgrade your phone in order to receive the latest security updates. While this may seem like an inconvenience, it is a step that must be taken if you want to secure your device and personal information.

Secondly, download antivirus software to further secure your device against any possible security threats. That way, you can spend less time worrying about timely manufacturer security updates. Download PSafe Total for unbeatable, 24/7 antivirus protection for your smartphone: it is AV-Test certified and has been rated one of the best antivirus apps in the world.

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Fri, 28 Oct 2016 17:50:05 +0000

BlackBerry recently announced that they would no longer be making cell phones. Although BlackBerry phones were once incredibly popular, the company struggled to stay relevant in a world that wanted iPhones and the latest Samsung Galaxy phone. Even those who once prized their BlackBerry phone over all others — whether for security reasons, or lack of tech savvy — have made the switch.

Why BlackBerry’s Newer Phone Models Failed
BlackBerry was a successful smartphone company 6 years ago: it sold more phones globally than Android and Apple. But their sales soon declined due to an outdated and unpopular operating system, in addition to them offering fewer features and apps than their competitors. Ultimately, BlackBerry couldn’t meet user demand. The company failed to stay on top of the latest technology for smartphones, and in the case of their newer model, the Priv, they failed to implement this technology quickly enough.

The Priv, like other BlackBerry phone models, offered a physical keyboard. Unlike previous BlackBerry phones, it included all of the features of a modern Android phone, but with a high-end price tag. Although this model was well received, it still didn’t offer enough to sway cell phone users back to BlackBerry.

Perhaps the Priv would have been more popular among those who consider themselves less tech-savvy if it had had a lower price tag. BlackBerry more recently released the Dtek50 model, which, although cheaper than the Priv, came out too late. (However, BlackBerry did not create and develop this model.) If they had released either model even a few years ago, perhaps they would have sold more, and thus been more popular. What it all comes down to: who wants to buy a BlackBerry phone in 2016 when there are better options available?

The Future of BlackBerry
Despite declining revenue over the years and recently suffering a substantial loss, BlackBerry will still be around. The company is actually doing better than projected. They will outsource their hardware development, allowing other manufacturers to continue making their cell phones for existing clients. It is unclear how strict this process will be. As for BlackBerry, the company plans to focus on software development, security, and apps. It has been moving towards this focus for the last few years. Hopefully, this will help BlackBerry to get back on track, but if not, BlackBerry could be up for sale in the near future.

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