BlackBerry Passport as daily driver in 2019? How and why?

I gotta admit, I'm the biggest BlackBerry fan I know. I take "abuse" from people weekly for it. But even I left for a spell a few months ago to try the Samsung Note 9 as I was tired of making concessions for my Passport or carrying around two devices to make up for the app gap,...

But I'm back. Yes, back to the BlackBerry Passport as my primary daily driver. Why? Simple, I want to. For me, the pros still outweigh the cons. After having a top of the line Android smartphone as my primary device, I kept longing for a better typing and messaging experience, and luckily I knew where to find it because I loved my Passport for 3 years prior to leaving, and of course never got rid of it just in case I needed to come back.

But how does one use a BlackBerry Passport as a primary daily driver in 2019 in this world driven by apps and media consumption? Simple, you do without or you supplement for what you're lacking. So I am doing a little both. Sometimes when I need apps and insurance of working websites and a great camera, I carry both devices. Sometimes when I only need the basics, I carry only my beloved Passport. Annoying? Perhaps to some, but I found it more annoying without my Passport. Annoying is relative. :)

"BUT, there's no future with the Passport!!!" Maybe, but there's still a present, and that's where I live. Yes, to each its own...

If you still use the Passport primarily, I'm curious how and why?

Cheers

P.S. I'm still holding out hope that somehow, someday a new Passport surfaces that allows us to be "future-proof". I know, fat chance...

Posted via CB10

I share your love for the BlackBerry Passport. I have an SE myself, love it and I plan on using it for all of 2019 and than some.

To answer your question as best as I can. The Passport is a wonderful call, text, BBM, email machine. The large screen and keyboard makes those things very fluid and the browsing on basic websites allows a unique view.

The above being said, the Passport is pretty much only able to do the above. Other features might work but those are very limited and I would take them with a serious grain of salt.

BlackBerry 10 and the Passport have very limited functionality and that is happening at a quicker and quicker rate. The browser is going and almost gone, certain email providers such as Yahoo are either not working or require serious workarounds.

The situation is what it is and it won't get better, only significantly worse in the coming months. In the meantime, enjoy a great call, text, emailing and BBM machine and enjoy the excellent screen size/shape and top quality speakers.

Posted via CB10

Originally Posted by ratfinkstooley

I gotta admit, I'm the biggest BlackBerry fan I know. I take "abuse" from people weekly for it. But even I left for a spell a few months ago to try the Samsung Note 9 as I was tired of making concessions for my Passport or carrying around two devices to make up for the app gap,...

But I'm back. Yes, back to the BlackBerry Passport as my primary daily driver. Why? Simple, I want to. For me, the pros still outweigh the cons. After having a top of the line Android smartphone as my primary device, I kept longing for a better typing and messaging experience, and luckily I knew where to find it because I loved my Passport for 3 years prior to leaving, and of course never got rid of it just in case I needed to come back.

But how does one use a BlackBerry Passport as a primary daily driver in 2019 in this world driven by apps and media consumption? Simple, you do without or you supplement for what you're lacking. So I am doing a little both. Sometimes when I need apps and insurance of working websites and a great camera, I carry both devices. Sometimes when I only need the basics, I carry only my beloved Passport. Annoying? Perhaps to some, but I found it more annoying without my Passport. Annoying is relative. :)

"BUT, there's no future with the Passport!!!" Maybe, but there's still a present, and that's where I live. Yes, to each its own...

If you still use the Passport primarily, I'm curious how and why?

Cheers

P.S. I'm still holding out hope that somehow, someday a new Passport surfaces that allows us to be "future-proof". I know, fat chance...

Posted via CB10

For people like yourself, that already own the device and understand the BB10 situation, I applaud your attitude.

It’s the BB10 fans here that get angry, when the newbies or the curious ask questions and I and others answer honestly, that I don’t get.

From what I’ve read about the Key2 and the Key2 LE, it sounds like attempt for the Passport and Classic/Q10 users respectively....

Anyways, thanks for the positive vibes and enjoy your Passport as long as possible..

I carried two phones for many years. Typical functions split was: Blackberry for business, another device (IP graded) for anything else.
As many BB applications EOL'd in past 2-3 years, my Passport is now used mostly for emails/documents/browsing/e-reading while other functions (travel app, banking, Telegram/WeChat messaging...) moved to the secondary Android phone.
Recent demise of Box and OneDrive has reduced functionality of Passport again...
But I'm going to replace the battery soon (health dropped to 60%) and run it as long as emails work.

I'm about thisclose to riding with my SE/Classic for one more run of BB10. Who knows what's going to happen, but if I'm going to retire these things, I'd want to use them.

Posted via my Awesome Passport SE SQW100-4/10.3.3.2163 pin:2C33423A

Hello,

I’m still using my Passport SE as my only phone, and it’s working pretty well. The browser has problems with some sites or at least directly accessing sites.

Not sure what the problem is with Yahoo. I saw the work around that was supposedly needed . Mine is still working.

Personally, I’m hanging on until later this year and I’ll see if BBmobile is going to keep going and if they show signs of progressing or if it’s yet another dead end for “Blackberry” The hub is the only thing it really has to offer that I cant stand to lose.

But I despise Android so much, I’ll be looking at Apple.

Ride it out as long as it works for you.

Just make sure you choose the right device for your workflow, and not the other way around.

Originally Posted by conite

Ride it out as long as it works for you.

Just make sure you choose the right device for your workflow, and not the other way around.

Excellent advice as per usual.

Posted via my Awesome Passport SE SQW100-4/10.3.3.2163 pin:2C33423A

I keep the Passport going with different browsers for different sites, turning javascript on or off as needed. While this would drive others crazy it works for me; I'm not ready to give up my favorite keyboard design.

Originally Posted by conite

Ride it out as long as it works for you.

Just make sure you choose the right device for your workflow, and not the other way around.

I totally agree with you. This opens up an entirely different conversation of what is actually needed in a device these days vs. what is a luxury and convenience.

But I agree, to hinder ourselves from productivity in order to simply hang on to the past would be ironic when "productivity" is what we all claim to love from our BlackBerrys... We shouldn't be slaves of the rat race or of nostalgia, but earnestly consider what is best to accomplish our calling on this earth.

Not quite Jack Handey, but a deep thought nonetheless... :)

Cheers!

Posted via CB10

The analogy I keep thinking of is people who love their classic old cars. They're not practical or fuel efficient, you can only get parts at swap meets or ebay, and most of your spare time will be spent tinkering with it. They were well built and the designs really stand among all of the blandness.

Originally Posted by dbq10

The analogy I keep thinking of is people who love their classic old cars. They're not practical or fuel efficient, you can only get parts at swap meets or ebay, and most of your spare time will be spent tinkering with it. They were well built and the designs really stand among all of the blandness.

Does that include Chevrolet Vega or Ford Pinto? ;-)

Originally Posted by Chuck Finley69

Does that include Chevrolet Vega or Ford Pinto? ;-)

https://youtu.be/ngtALzDAIcU

Originally Posted by conite

https://youtu.be/ngtALzDAIcU

LOL

I dual carry Passport (private sim) and K1 (company sim).

The Passport in a fabulously elegant piece of hardware, but I need the apps available on K1 for my work. K1 is quite serviceable, but feels like a cheap toy when I switch to it.

Esoteric analogy: M14 versus M16

Could not resist Attachment 442373

Originally Posted by Tim-ANC

Could not resist Attachment 442373

Nice.....

Security indeed ! :)

Posted via CB10

Originally Posted by curves2000

In the meantime, enjoy a great call, text, emailing and BBM machine and enjoy the excellent screen size/shape and top quality speakers.

Posted via CB10

I would absolutely dust off any number of my BB10 devices to use as a weekend driver if it weren't for the fact that I can no longer log in to BBM with my BBID ever since the BB BBM/Android BBM split.

Shame... BB10 was such a great OS.

Though K1 fits in the mag well. I'm conflicted Attachment 442374

It's simple. My mobile phone is my communications device, so I use it for email primarily, followed by text and voice so the Passport presents no compromise in that regard.
I am not on social media nor are any of the people close to me so I'm not missing anything.

The Passport is more than capable of tracking my tasks, notes and calendar. The camera is more than good enough (when I'm serious, I've got several dedicated cameras to choose from).
Even offline maps are no issue even if I have to run Android apps for that.
I actually have no complaints with the browser. 99.9% of the sites I hit work just fine for me. I do have Firefox as backup but everytime I think it's the BB10 browser, it doesn't work on Firefox either.

The only time I dual carry is basically for fun when I'm deciding on the next platform to move on to.


Posted via CB10

I still use my BlackBerry Passport SE after four years. Like most of us, I also started to carry a second phone for the apps. However still, my main mailing and text/call, whatsapp, skype, youtube, docs and even bbm is on my SE. I think I will continue to use it until EOL. Speaking about additional device, I dropped my android phone and replaced with an android tablet as I needed a device like a laptop. The tablet doesn't have keyboard. So, I started to use my SE's keywords by connecting via Bluetooth and using Blue TouchPad app (commands the media and mouse) from the app store which works perfectly well. Therefore now, i carry my SE as my daily phone and my android tablet as I need it most of the time due to my work. The android apps of the tablet and my SE have become a good pair just like in the old days I was with my Laptop and my old blackberry 9700 for messages and Internet tethering via cord. I am happy with this combination.

Last word for android phones; as I have tried BlackBerry keyone and a few other Android phones: they just suck!

I hope, one they, a hero or a good crazy would appear and invest on BlackBerry 10. I think this is not a crazy idea considering the realm of Google and lack of Internet security. We don't need most of the android apps. Bb10 might only need a very good browser which would respond well to the most of the mobile Web versions of such apps.

Long live bb10..... until EOL....

Posted via CB10

Originally Posted by bosniac

I still use my BlackBerry Passport SE after four years. Like most of us, I also started to carry a second phone for the apps. However still, my main mailing and text/call, whatsapp, skype, youtube, docs and even bbm is on my SE. I think I will continue to use it until EOL. Speaking about additional device, I dropped my android phone and replaced with an android tablet as I needed a device like a laptop. The tablet doesn't have keyboard. So, I started to use my SE's keywords by connecting via Bluetooth and using Blue TouchPad app (commands the media and mouse) from the app store which works perfectly well. Therefore now, i carry my SE as my daily phone and my android tablet as I need it most of the time due to my work. The android apps of the tablet and my SE have become a good pair just like in the old days I was with my Laptop and my old blackberry 9700 for messages and Internet tethering via cord. I am happy with this combination.

Last word for android phones; as I have tried BlackBerry keyone and a few other Android phones: they just suck!

I hope, one they, a hero or a good crazy would appear and invest on BlackBerry 10. I think this is not a crazy idea considering the realm of Google and lack of Internet security. We don't need most of the android apps. Bb10 might only need a very good browser which would respond well to the most of the mobile Web versions of such apps.

Long live bb10..... until EOL....

Posted via CB10

I have the blue touch pad app too. It works great. I like your approach with the tablet. I've been thinking about getting one also and you have given me better reason to do so.

If Blackberry thinks BB10 will be done, maybe it is better to open source of BB10 platform. Then a community from developer fans will maintain it as myself. I'd like to do this wonderful thing to contribute my energy.

Posted via my favorite BlackBerry Passport.

Originally Posted by Lifeng Wan

If Blackberry thinks BB10 will be done, maybe it is better to open source of BB10 platform. Then a community from developer fans will maintain it as myself. I'd like to do this wonderful thing to contribute my energy.

Posted via my favorite BlackBerry Passport.

As detailed countless times before, this won't happen. QNX secrets, hardware root of trust, signing keys, etc.

Originally Posted by Lifeng Wan

If Blackberry thinks BB10 will be done, maybe it is better to open source of BB10 platform. Then a community from developer fans will maintain it as myself. I'd like to do this wonderful thing to contribute my energy.

Posted via my favorite BlackBerry Passport.

There's a Sticky on why this will not happen.

In the meantime, enjoy BB10 while you can.

I miss the Passport! My Key2 is good but it's just not the same. The main thing I miss about the Passport is that it's the perfect width to use with two hands.

I also miss being able to reach the top of the screen with my thumbs and the elegant usability of the BB10 operating system (with full Hub integration).

Originally Posted by conite

As detailed countless times before, this won't happen. QNX secrets, hardware root of trust, signing keys, etc.

I really don't understand even forgive what Blackberry management board did.

For most persons, we only need several common applications. I promise you, less than 20 apps in your Android or Iphone if you count, I mean the applications that you use often. No matter there are millions applications in Google play or Appstore, most of them are rubbish or as same as rubbish because you don't really need them.

So the question is why BlackBerry can't focus on these most common applications. I don't believe that a company like BlackBerry can't handle well these applications if the CEO really cares about BlackBerry mobile device.

BB10 is a good operating system even though it is not perfect sometimes. But I love its simplicity and efficiency. Probably I will buy a key2 or key3 when my passport is striking. I will miss my Passport, Classic, Q10 and my happy memories.

Posted via my favorite BlackBerry Passport.

Originally Posted by Lifeng Wan

I really don't understand even forgive what Blackberry management board did.

For most persons, we only need limited several common used applications. I promise you, less than 20 apps in your Android or Iphone if you count. I mean the applications that you use frequently. No matter there are millions applications in Google play or Appstore, most of them are rubbish or as same as rubbish because you don't really need them.

So the question is: why BlackBerry can't focus on these common most used applications. I don't believe that a company like BlackBerry can't handle well these applications if the CEO really cares about BlackBerry mobile device.

BB10 is a good operating system even though it is perfect sometimes. But I love its simplicity and efficiency. Probably I will buy a key2 or key3 when my passport is striking. I will miss my Passport and Classic and my happy memories.

Posted via my favorite BlackBerry Passport.

It's up to app developers to make their apps available for BB10 - social media apps, banking apps, MS Office, etc, do not belong to BlackBerry, and the APIs aren't public.

In any case, BB10 was cancelled in late 2013, and the software went into support mode in 2014. Let it go.

Incidentally, I have over 150 apps on my phone, and I use all of them. Only 3 of those are games.

Originally Posted by conite

It's up to app developers to make their apps available for BB10 - social media apps, banking apps, MS Office, etc, do not belong to BlackBerry, and the APIs aren't public.

In any case, BB10 was cancelled in late 2013, and the software went into support mode in 2014. Let it go.

BlackBerry needs to cooperate with those companies who are developing the common applications. Such as Whatsapp, Facebook, LinkedIn, WeChat, Twitter... Actually, these applications are maintained by those companies.

Yes, other applications are developed by developers. But that should not be a key reason for lacking BB10 applications if I understand correctly.

Posted via my favorite BlackBerry Passport.

The Passport is still my daily driver. All I do is send text messages and read e-mails, in addition to saving notes in the Remember app and Evernote. I find that I type faster and more accurately with this keyboard. I use my iPad only for games and apps.

I just wish the Passport had a bigger screen and battery, because after 3 years of use it seems small. Also, the default browser on the Passport seems to be obsolete because it freezes on some websites, especially ESPN.com. It's no biggie though. I have my own work-arounds.

Posted via CB10

Originally Posted by Lifeng Wan

BlackBerry needs to cooperate with those companies who are developing the common applications. Such as Whatsapp, Facebook, LinkedIn, WeChat, Twitter... Actually, these applications are maintained by those companies.

Yes, other applications are developed by developers. But that should not be a key reason for lacking BB10 applications if I understand correctly.

Posted via my favorite BlackBerry Passport.

BlackBerry did all that. They offered money, developers, etc. The other companies were simply not interested in supporting another platform.

Microsoft did the same thing, and had much deeper pockets. Same result.

Originally Posted by conite

BlackBerry did all that. They offered money, developers, etc. The other companies were simply not interested in supporting another platform.

Microsoft did the same thing, and had much deeper pockets. Same result.

Best indicator of how entrenched the duopoly in the smart phone OS arena is. If MS failed at breaking it, BB has zero chance.

I own a Win10 device. Funny thing is the MS apps on my android K1 work better.

Originally Posted by conite

BlackBerry did all that. They offered money, developers, etc. The other companies were simply not interested in supporting another platform.

Microsoft did the same thing, and had much deeper pockets. Same result.

I don't think the situations of MS and BlackBerry's are same. I really doubt that there are so much fans of Windows phone as ours.

Posted via my favorite BlackBerry Passport.

Originally Posted by Tim-ANC

Best indicator of how entrenched the duopoly in the smart phone OS arena is. If MS failed at breaking it, BB has zero chance.

I own a Win10 device. Funny thing is the MS apps on my android K1 work better.

On win10 device, are the most common applications usable?

Posted via my favorite BlackBerry Passport.

Originally Posted by Lifeng Wan

I don't think the situations of MS and BlackBerry's are same. I really doubt that there are so much fans of Windows phone as ours.

Posted via my favorite BlackBerry Passport.

They had a much larger market share than BB10.

Originally Posted by conite

They had a much larger market share than BB10.

Yes, you are totally right conite. The market of MS phone is bigger than BB10s'. However, that doesn't mean win10 phone is better than BB10 device. It depends on different users. Win10 doesn't have keyboard and Touchpad sensor...:) If we can use perfectly the common applications on BB10, that should be another result.

Posted via my favorite BlackBerry Passport.

Originally Posted by Lifeng Wan

I don't think the situations of MS and BlackBerry's are same. I really doubt that there are so much fans of Windows phone as ours.

Posted via my favorite BlackBerry Passport.

Windows Phone was 3rd place behind Android and iOS around 2013.
https://www.cnet.com/news/windows-ph...-through-2019/

Originally Posted by bosniac

I still use my BlackBerry Passport SE after four years. Like most of us, I also started to carry a second phone for the apps. However still, my main mailing and text/call, whatsapp, skype, youtube, docs and even bbm is on my SE. I think I will continue to use it until EOL. Speaking about additional device, I dropped my android phone and replaced with an android tablet as I needed a device like a laptop. The tablet doesn't have keyboard. So, I started to use my SE's keywords by connecting via Bluetooth and using Blue TouchPad app (commands the media and mouse) from the app store which works perfectly well. Therefore now, i carry my SE as my daily phone and my android tablet as I need it most of the time due to my work. The android apps of the tablet and my SE have become a good pair just like in the old days I was with my Laptop and my old blackberry 9700 for messages and Internet tethering via cord. I am happy with this combination.

Last word for android phones; as I have tried BlackBerry keyone and a few other Android phones: they just suck!

I hope, one they, a hero or a good crazy would appear and invest on BlackBerry 10. I think this is not a crazy idea considering the realm of Google and lack of Internet security. We don't need most of the android apps. Bb10 might only need a very good browser which would respond well to the most of the mobile Web versions of such apps.

Long live bb10..... until EOL....

Posted via CB10

This might not be exactly what you're talking about, but I wish I could effectively move to a Two Device Model--which Ideally would be a Wearable that has what I consider to be "core" functions that can be accessed at a moment's notice, and a Small Tablet (roughly i-pad Mini sized or a bit smaller) that can be used for Multi-media, any apps or games I choose to use, or simply to have a bigger screen.

Originally Posted by Lifeng Wan

Yes, you are totally right conite. The market of MS phone is bigger than BB10s'. However, that doesn't mean win10 phone is better than BB10 device. It depends on different users. Win10 doesn't have keyboard and Touchpad sensor...:) If we can use perfectly the common applications on BB10, that should be another result.

Posted via my favorite BlackBerry Passport.

You weren't talking about preference, you were talking about number of fans.