[cgk]

"Get an android site to do it" comments are odd to me.

Crackberry is now an android site, BBRY is now an android OEM that bends its knee to King Google and does what it is told - it is now no different to any other OEM that also produces its own OS (like Samsung).

This discussion seems to me to mirror the multiple questions where the response is always "of course it's an android phone".

[RyanGermann]

And what if Bla1ze can't really show you how it's better than BB10.... other than it has official access to Google Play. What if the HUB is a mess, what if you miss having BBM Videos, what if the file manager is missing, what if there is no BLEND, no remote file access, peak, flow, swipe? These would be negatives for all BB10 BlackBerry users.... but for the average Android user it would mean nothing as they didn't have those anyway.

That gets to the heart of the question: in the opinion of CrackBerry.com / AndroidCentral.com / Mobile Nations members, what are your expectations with how close should the CrackBerry review be to a general Android review, or should it be closer to speaking directly (ONLY?!?) to BlackBerry users, with the AndroidCentral.com review being the one that measures BlackBerry's achievements with Android against, say, TouchWiz or Sense or Blackphone or whatever, and compares the build quality of other Android device vendors' handsets to the Priv? Or something in between where the "AndroidCentral" review and the "CrackBerry" review will cover a lot of the same ground, and may be contradictory? Or should Phil Nickinson be a guest reviewer and publish the "Android" review ON CrackBerry.com? There's another thought...

Maybe Bla1ze will do a general review... and then just do a Comparison Guide for those making the transition?

That's a good idea, too.

"Get an android site to do it" comments are odd to me.

Crackberry is now an android site, BBRY is now an android OEM that bends its knee to King Google and does what it is told - it is now no different to any other OEM that also produces its own OS (like Samsung).

This discussion seems to me to mirror the multiple questions where the response is always "of course it's an android phone".

"Not sure if sarcastic" or playing devil's advocate here, too... but that is also germane to the topic.

[The Big Picture]

The priv should definitely be reviewed as though coming from a BlackBerry 10 device.

No point comparing it too much to other androids, everyone else will be doing that.

Bla1ze would do well to represent us BlackBerry fans into this new world of BlackBerry androids.

Posted via CB10

[conite]

The priv should definitely be reviewed as though coming from a BlackBerry 10 device.

No point comparing it too much to other androids, everyone else will be doing that.

Bla1ze would do well to represent us BlackBerry fans into this new world of BlackBerry androids.

Posted via CB10

The problem is that the review becomes a review of Android, and not the Priv device itself. It's an interesting predicament though.

It's like comparing a beach vacation to a ski vacation.

PassportSQW100-4/10.3.2.2789

[cgk]

"Not sure if sarcastic" or playing devil's advocate here, too... but that is also germane to the topic.

Neither - I am deadly serious - you only have to read the articles from today where you see head of devices was instructed from his first day to turn them into an android OEM - this isnt a late change on the part of Chen - its the actual plan.

People have guessed this but it's now straight from the horses mouth

[dejanh]

And what if Bla1ze can't really show you how it's better than BB10.... other than it has official access to Google Play. What if the HUB is a mess, what if you miss having BBM Videos, what if the file manager is missing, what if there is no BLEND, no remote file access, peak, flow, swipe? These would be negatives for all BB10 BlackBerry users.... but for the average Android user it would mean nothing as they didn't have those anyway.

Maybe Bla1ze will do a general review... and then just do a Comparison Guide for those making the transition?

Whatever loss or gain in functionality results from the transition to Android, I want to know it. I want an unbiased, no holding back review that focuses on actual differences, points out the shortcomings, and the benefits. In some sense conite has it right, it is a review not just of the PRIV but of Android as an OS to power a BlackBerry. I would go further than this and argue that I already know that BlackBerry 10 and Android are not the same, but they are supposed to share one common element, the BlackBerry experience. That should be one of the pivotal focus elements of the PRIV review. If the said experience is not there and this feels just like another Android, then in my eyes BlackBerry failed to bring those elements to Android that make a BlackBerry a BlackBerry, and by default have failed in bringing a true BlackBerry powered by Android.

As for my ultimate decision on whether to get the device or not, it is simple. I will take the facts from CrackBerry and other reviews, go try the device out myself, and if it falls short of my expectations, then I will not buy it. The more facts they give me, the better. If it falls as short in every respect as you state above, then I won't even bother with trying. I will just skip it all together, or perhaps buy it some months down the line at a discount, just for the curiosity factor.

[RyanGermann]

Neither - I am deadly serious - you only have to read the articles from today where you see head of devices was instructed from his first day to turn them into an android OEM - this isnt a late change on the part of Chen - its the actual plan.

People have guessed this but it's now straight from the horses mouth

Would you be so kind as to provide a link? I'm not sure if you meant "CrackBerry News articles from today" or from Reuters or whatnot... I absolutely don't dispute your claim, I'd just like to read that quote in context.

[conite]

I would go further than this and argue that I already know that BlackBerry 10 and Android are not the same, but they are supposed to share one common element, the BlackBerry experience. That should be one of the pivotal focus elements of the PRIV review. If the said experience is not there and this feels just like another Android, then in my eyes BlackBerry failed to bring those elements to Android that make a BlackBerry a BlackBerry, and by default have failed in bringing a true BlackBerry powered by Android.

To me, failure is if BlackBerry does not bring value to Android.

BlackBerry does not need to compete against BB10 (or BBOS, or WebOS for that matter). Harsh, but true.

PassportSQW100-4/10.3.2.2789

[dejanh]

Would you be so kind as to provide a link? I'm not sure if you meant "CrackBerry News articles from today" or from Reuters or whatnot... I absolutely don't dispute your claim, I'd just like to read that quote in context.

Here you go...

Inside BlackBerry's last-ditch plan to win you back with Android - CNET

To me, failure is if BlackBerry does not bring value to Android.

PassportSQW100-4/10.3.2.2789

We're actually kind of arguing the same point. If we end up with "just another Android", then where is the impetus to buy this device? The keyboard alone is not enough for me.

[walt63]

Logically, it may be best for bbry if Android Central review it only.

Think about it. BB10 market share is nothing, which means barely anyone knows or cares about the OS. To sell the Prov, BlackBerry must distance themselves from BB10 when marketing or talking about the it. You'll notice that they've already have. Even while bringing over the Hub, virtual kb, and other similar BB10 features to the Priv, they haven't mentioned anything about how easy it is for BB10 users to migrate to Android. In reality, it's not about them. Consumers need to understand that this is an Android device, providing the same offerings of the Galaxy S6, LG G4, and others, not a new BBRY system. So a review with a lot of references back to BB10 may cause confusion for the new users they are trying to acquire.

Posted via the CrackBerry App for Android

[Toodeurep]

Neither - I am deadly serious - you only have to read the articles from today where you see head of devices was instructed from his first day to turn them into an android OEM - this isnt a late change on the part of Chen - its the actual plan.

People have guessed this but it's now straight from the horses mouth

A quote from the article...

"While Chen wanted a stronger relationship with Google -- one of the services BlackBerry offers is managing email on mobile devices, including those powered by Android -- Louks pushed things forward by asking to build an Android smartphone in early 2014.

Chen wasn't sold on the idea. And he wasn't alone. BlackBerry veterans are accustomed to using the company's own software to ensure the most secure devices, and Android lacked a reputation for security."

Where does your statement that "instructed from his first day to turn them into an android OEM" come in? It continues to reiterate that he had to convince Chen...

[Toodeurep]

More...

"There's normal tension when you change a strategic decision," Louks said. "People are going to question it."

It wasn't until Louks convinced Chen he could build an Android smartphone with security embedded in the hardware that he got the green light.

That story doesn't show instruction from the first day. SMH

[RyanGermann]

Chen wasn't sold on the idea. And he wasn't alone. BlackBerry veterans are accustomed to using the company's own software to ensure the most secure devices, and Android lacked a reputation for security."

Where does your statement that "instructed from his first day to turn them into an android OEM"? I continues to reiterate that he had to convince Chen...

Louks, the head of the devices division may be the one who should be the target for animosity, not Chen, if you want to split hairs, but in the end, all of BlackBerry management is culpable. Louks is the one that flashed the Slider mockup with a BB10 OS skin on it, not an Android skin: that wasn't an accident, that was misdirection, plain and simple. He never had any intention of releasing the Slider with BB10 on it, but intentionally led people to speculate about that i.e. BB10's future.

All the talk about how much it would cost to port BB10 to the Slider is just totally bunk at this point: if their plan was all along to mislead and try to keep BB10 alive so they could clear out device inventory, then anything they say about difficulties of porting BB10 are subject to skepticism i.e. they're lies or misleading at best.

[howarmat]

I assure you that his review will be very good for all users. He isnt going to sugarcoat it and never has. He is plenty familiar with android and bb10 both so you should get plenty of insight from both sides. I dont think anyone needs to worry and will certainly love reading it.

[MP556]

I'd expect there's a good chance many people will move from BB's to android phones with BB10 appearing to be nearer the end of it's supported life so comparing it against other alternatives from both the Android and BB world makes more sense to me. The more information and comparisons in a review the better, wanting less information seems a bit narrow minded when the phone could well be competing against other android devices to people here.

[Chelmsford]

This is exactly the same attitude that fueled the resistance to the idea of Android device in the first place, and then the name of it, and now the perspective of the review. People (CB regulars)...everything is not about you! Just like Priv is not specifically made for you either. Goodness, understand that the Priv, and it's CB review, is something catering to a much larger audience.

How narrow minded would it be to write a review for the CrackBerrian just so that a new-to-blackberry Priv owner can find the review and be like 'wtf'. The whole context would be lost on them. I think a balanced approach is a stretch. Let's get this to kill the android market and NOT get it to convert the 1% BB10 user into a Priv user.

A Priv review should NOT be something that underhandedly touts the merits of BB10. We all understand them, but a BlackBerry 10 vs Priv should definitely not be the focus of a high traffic review from CrackBery.

My opinion.

Powered by BlackBerry Passport

[BB-JAM215]

The PRIV has BlackBerry 10 heritage, but it is an Android phone. I'm looking forward to Bla1ze informing us more about the PRIV, from both points of view.

[jhirizarry]

Here is my two cents, keep it simple. The hardware is BlackBerry, has the PIN and encryption on the hardware BlackBerry is known for, it just happen to run Android OS, it may actually run any OS. The physical BlackBerry keyboard, it's another trademark. Then are the BlackBerry Apps, which gives the BlackBerry experience. Then how to tackle, hardware wise, compare it with anything current now, but make clear that the hardware encryption and PIN and other BlackBerry hardware stuff make it different from a seemingly similar device. Software can be compared to how usable the BlackBerry Apps are among other launchers, Samsungs, LGs, etc. And finally the differences from a BB10 perspective.

PassportSQW100-1/10.3.2.2789 on T-Mobile w/ WiFi Calling

[6stringriffs]

Every reviewer (for any website or Youtube channel) will look at this device through their own set of biases. I don't care who it is, doesn't matter. They will have their own set of biases.

The key is: will you as the reader (or youtube watcher) be able to pick out the objective material from the biased opinion and make your own decision? That's really the hard part.

Personally, I wanna watch that cute chick that reviewed the Passport (which she installed Cobalt's G-Play store) review the Priv.

[Camelhmpz]

I for one trust our EIC and have always valued his opinion, but I understand it is his opinion and for the most part I always agree and/or at least respect it.

This new "android" priv, has enough of BlackBerry's tweaks (just starting off) that I consider a crackberry discussion. I sure hope, and expect, if the phone goes over well we will see more tweaks and BlackBerry flavor added to the android OS and I trust Blaz1e will accurately comment on what we may miss or have gained.

Whether we like it or not, it is an android OS and there has (luckily) been a lot of chatter from Android fans about this device. If done right and with time to tweak, I think the hub and other bb10 features may win the brand back some respect.

Let's give our EIC a chance to do his job before we try and tell him how it should be done.



Posted via CB10

[Bla1ze]

Lol.. no chill. My review will be a review. Have I ever put out a terrible review? Personally, I don't think so, so use that as your guide and thanks to those here who recognized and stated that has been the case. Worst case, if you don't like my review, you can read Android Central's too lol.

[Camelhmpz]

Lol.. no chill.

The infamous "lol". :-D

Posted via CB10

[jope28]

Lol.. no chill. My review will be a review. Have I ever put out a terrible review? Personally, I don't think so, so use that as your guide and thanks to those here who recognized and stated that has been the case. Worst case, if you don't like my review, you can read Android Central's too lol.

Will be awesome to see what both of those reviews agree on and what they take different stands on.
Can't wait! Lol

 Frosty White Q10/10.3.2.2789 CB10 

[southlander]

If they've done a good job, I want to hear it. If they've done a lousy job, I want to hear that too. For me at least this is a pivotal moment in my history with BlackBerry.

What if they did a great job within the limitations of the lack of control of the core OS, and yet the result is less than great compared to a certain BlackBerry 10 implementation? The podcast mentioned there's likely some of that.

Posted via the CrackBerry App for Android

[southlander]

Why not have Bla1ze and that Phil guy from Android Central review it together for both sites? Go head to head. Bla1ze could do a detailed vs. BlackBerry 10 analysis. And Phil N. Could compare it to other Android flagships and rate it as an Android phone in general. I'd actually like to read them going back and forth.

Posted via the CrackBerry App for Android