First experience with new KeyOne

Picked up a new KeyOne last week from Curry's in the UK. After a week of use I thought I'd share the following thoughts:

Fit and finish is first class.

Size just about perfect for my needs.

Heavy, but doesn't feel it because of the shape.

Fingerprint scanner is amazingly fast and very easy to use.

Having the android navigation keys above the keyboard is really nice, although you can very occasionally hit them when swiping up, but it is rare and not really a problem - only happened the first day.

Blackberry's customisation of android is possibly one of the best I've used for primarily business use. Android 7 is really quite slick and with the Blackberry skin feels almost BB10 like.

The keyboard in my opinion is not as nice as the classic. Feels less clicky and a little more mushy but I will probably get used to it quickly. It's really not bad though. Because the fingerprint scanner is built into the space bar, I suspect the mechanism for clicking is totally different to the other keys and it is noticeable. I'm sure I'll get used to it but it feels and sounds a little disconcerting.

The keyboard track pad is great for editing text (double click and you're there), but it is not great in portrait mode for scrolling pages etc. Just feels a bit rough and buggy. Easier to scroll with the screen. The track pad scrolls well in landscape mode though.

Whilst the keypad does take up screen space when it is not required, when you need to use it, which is often for me, it truly is a revelation offering what seems like a huge working area. It really is lovely and the 3x2 format is perfect. Whilst my typing speed is no quicker than on a VKB, it is steady and accurate to the point that I turned off suggested words freeing up even more screen space.

The phone feels zippy, the camera is absolutely fine and is quick and easy to use. Sound is fine too and there are more shortcuts than I will ever need. I don't play games or have FB etc on my phone, so I can't comment on how well they function. I have no complaints about the hardware and battery life without power sucking apps (games and social media) is truly exceptional.

In conclusion, and as long term BB user (but also a harsh critic to the point of being called a troll) I'd say the KeyOne is a winner for people who need a focussed and highly efficient business phone.

I'm very impressed and on balance I believe it is possibly one of the best all round Blackberry's I've used in a very long time.

My experience mirrors yours. The keyboard scrolling is a bit of a puzzler as the PRIV seemed to scroll better than this one. Otherwise the keyboard on the KEYone is far superior.

Thanks for sharing. Useful comments.

Posted via CB10

Thanks for sharing your K1 experience.

Thanks for your input. When I was using my OG passport before getting the KEYone, I thought it had the best keyboard, but after typing on this buttery smooth keyboard, I have changed my mind. Actually, I'm able to type faster and a little more accurately. Great device all around.

Thanks for sharing and giving some feedback @marcusperkins 😃 Always good to see positive reviews. What was your previous device before this KEYᵒⁿᵉ?

There was a ton of positives in that review but, is there anything you would like improved or possibly changed? 😃

Originally Posted by Matty

Thanks for sharing and giving some feedback @marcusperkins 😃 Always good to see positive reviews. What was your previous device before this KEYᵒⁿᵉ?

There was a ton of positives in that review but, is there anything you would like improved or possibly changed? 😃

-The button pressure on the side buttons I'd have a little tighter. I find myself turning it off and activating the convenience key (which I have set activating Google keep). The fingerprint sensor set for both thumbs help.

-Would have preferred the power button up top
-Not sure how I feel about the Sim and microsd card in the same slot
-Don't find swiping left on the screen and that quick calendar pop up is all that useful. Would rather it display the month calendar
-Battery is impressive but not wowing me how others are feeling

That said: This is the Blackberry I've dreamed of having since leaving Bb in 2010. Customization is sick. These past four days I experience something I don't like (example: double tap screen to turn on phone, preset one touch assignments to buttons, warmth of screen, wanting to add opposing hand for fingerprint sensor, recents aesthetics, headphone in displaying Google play) and I've been able to fix it to my liking within a minute.

Past three phones: S7, Nextbit Robin, HTC One

Originally Posted by Matty

Thanks for sharing and giving some feedback @marcusperkins 😃 Always good to see positive reviews. What was your previous device before this KEYᵒⁿᵉ?

There was a ton of positives in that review but, is there anything you would like improved or possibly changed? 😃

I'd also say the side buttons, specifically the power and convenience keys are a little too easy to press, but it's a minor thing.

The real disappointment as mentioned earlier is scrolling web pages using the keyboard in portrait mode - it's not very good at all but hope it can be improved through a software update.

With regard to battery life, you really do need to set up apps carefully as even a few seemingly simple apps like weather, news, email etc that are set to poll for new data every five minutes can really drain a battery, especially if they're using location services every five minutes too. Setting them to an hourly update, or only when an app is open makes a big difference.

Originally Posted by marcusperkins

I'd also say the side buttons, specifically the power and convenience keys are a little too easy to press, but it's a minor thing.

The real disappointment as mentioned earlier is scrolling web pages using the keyboard in portrait mode - it's not very good at all but hope it can be improved through a software update.

With regard to battery life, you really do need to set up apps carefully as even a few seemingly simple apps like weather, news, email etc that are set to poll for new data every five minutes can really drain a battery, especially if they're using location services every five minutes too. Setting them to an hourly update, or only when an app is open makes a big difference.

You should check out Keyboard Browser by @alaingrange. It supports traditional PKB shortcuts like SPACE to scroll a page at a time.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...ange.bbbrowser

I am not as happy.
Feels to small and slippery, like it's always going to fall out of my hands.
The whole notification (mainly alerts and blinking LED has me frustrated) isn't as good as my PRIV.
The fingerprint scanner and screen unlock hasn't been flawless either.
This is the first time I have considered taking a BlackBerry back.....

Originally Posted by marcusperkins

The real disappointment as mentioned earlier is scrolling web pages using the keyboard in portrait mode - it's not very good at all but hope it can be improved through a software update.

My theory is that it's to do with the space bar also being the fingerprint sensor. It doesn't seem to be set up for scrolling and flick-to-type in the same way as the rest of the keyboard. Also, the matte finish of the Priv keys may be better for scrolling and flicking than the shiny KEYone keys.
However, can't see why software updates shouldn't be able to install the missing swipe up and down features.

Originally Posted by Reaney

You should check out Keyboard Browser by @alaingrange. It supports traditional PKB shortcuts like SPACE to scroll a page at a time.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...ange.bbbrowser

Yes, fantastic app.

Originally Posted by marcusperkins

The real disappointment as mentioned earlier is scrolling web pages using the keyboard in portrait mode - it's not very good at all but hope it can be improved through a software update. .

Interesting, unfortunately I don't own a KEYᵒⁿᵉ so can't give my personal experience with it but I do have a Priv and scrolling is really smooth. The keyboard on the KEYᵒⁿᵉ is definitely better so I'm sure a future update will solve any issues you have. I personally love using the keyboard to scroll while using the Web browser. Just feels so awesome and it also gets people looking haha 😃

My first experience:

Not as big as I thought

Finish is beautiful

Keyboard was nice

Sent it back because about six keys weren't working.

Originally Posted by sonicpix

My first experience:

Not as big as I thought

Finish is beautiful

Keyboard was nice

Sent it back because about six keys weren't working.

Six keys? Like what, they don't register when you pressed them?

Originally Posted by evodevo69

Six keys? Like what, they don't register when you pressed them?

Ya six. W'S'L'K'H,G. Pressed and nothing appeared on screen. Couldn't set it up. Couldn't create an account.

Now I'm using my Passport.

Originally Posted by sonicpix

Ya six. W'S'L'K'H,G. Pressed and nothing appeared on screen. Couldn't set it up. Couldn't create an account.

Now I'm using my Passport.

Wow, that's the first time I've ever heard about keys not working. That's not good. Normally we hear about 'double hyping' but definitely not keys not working.

Was it a return and now getting something else or did you send it back to be fixed? 😃

Originally Posted by Matty

Wow, that's the first time I've ever heard about keys not working. That's not good. Normally we hear about 'double hyping' but definitely not keys not working.

Was it a return and now getting something else or did you send it back to be fixed? 😃

Rogers shipped me a replacement within one business day....they had stock. The replacement is fine. It's so nice my wife wants to ditch her Priv for it.