In store experience was not a great one with the Priv
- Just left the AT&T store and I couldn't believe how bad the Priv keyboard was. It's so unbearably small and uncomfortable. I have normal sized guy hands so nothing weird there. The Classic was right next to it and the Classic keyboard was nothing short of perfect. My Passport is great too (although, at least to me, not even as good as the Classic which is such a great sized keyboard).
After using the Priv keyboard for quite some time at the store, I doubt I could get used to it - especially for $700. It not only was small but it felt cheap, like my old 8830. Why Blackberry didn't make the Priv a bit wider to accommodate a nice keyboard (like the Classic one), I'll never understand, but I'm pretty sure now that the terrible keyboard will sink this device among consumers who are even curious and wondering about the keyboard. It's sort of embarrassing for Blackberry, if you ask me. This won't be the smooth, wide, tapered keys, nice, functional keyboard from their 9900 Bolds they remembered from a few years ago before they left for iOS or Android.
Also, I noticed absolutely horrendous screen blur when using the device. When scrolling in the App tray or on the internet, it was the same thing - the letters become pretty blurred as you scrolled up and down the page and only reset once you stopped. I pulled out my Passport and it was smooth as butter. Same for the Classic next to it. Yes - there is a minor amount of blur when you are moving up and down any page on a phone but I've never noticed it before until the Priv which was pretty extensive. Not sure what to even say about that but hugely disappointing. Curious if others who own the Priv have noticed this.
A few other thoughts -
- The color white on the screen was noticeably gray compared to the iPhone next to it. I know the blacks are better on AMOLED screens but the white was surprisingly poor in my view.
- The stock Google News app scrolled in reverse to the keyboard scrolling (up was down and down was up - weird)
- The device did get awfully hot as others have reported
- Google Maps stuttered pretty well too
- The open and close of the keyboard felt cheap. Granted, the security device was tugging on it a bit, but it just wasn't as buttery smooth as I expected.
All in all, when I set foot in the store I was prepared to walk out with either a new phone or ready to place an order but between all of this and the poor battery life being reported, I left extremely disappointed.
11-07-15 03:38 PMLike 6 -
When BlackBerry hardware design has a coin-flip decision to make, why does it always have to "heads, you lose, tails, you lose"? Do they actually do any kind of market research to the effect of "Ok: here's a device that's slightly thicker, with one style of keyboard, and here's another that is slightly thinner, with another style of keyboard. Please try both and tell me which one you prefer."
The thinness of a device doesn't really impact the minute-to-minute use of the device. Sure it's sleek to look at, but sometimes, a little thickness isn't a bad thing: it fills the hand nicely, easier to grip. Making the non-screen part of the Priv so thin, compromising the keyboard in the process, I think it was a mistake.
"Wouldn't it be great if BlackBerry released a device that had a full 16 x 9 screen AND a keyboard as good as the Classic?"
1) Yes
2) Not if it has to be thicker than an iPhone 6.
Which answer do you choose?
Don't the designers notice? Isn't there a product manager at BlackBerry saying "we're not shipping this until the scrolling is buttery smooth?" Steve Jobs wouldn't have shipped the Priv like that.Last edited by RyanGermann; 11-07-15 at 03:57 PM.
11-07-15 03:42 PMLike 3 - Sorry to hear!
PKB fits my long and lanky 2XL hands just fine, and battery life is stellar! Coming from a Passport it feels a little cramped, but easy to get used to. I love the Passport but kind of missed the 4row with shift and alt buttons without having to use the special character row of the VKB
Posted in CB10 from my amazing SQUARE OG Passport B_Rad BurnZ likes this.11-07-15 03:43 PMLike 1 - keyboard is great. sure it is not as big as a classic or passport, but it is not that small. I do not have exact measurements, but it is not much different from some of the keyboards of previous BBOS phones which sold millions and millions of units.
screen is also great, the curved edge does not add much value for me, but it is also not a problem.11-07-15 03:50 PMLike 0 - I think it accurately depicts my immense disappointment after waiting to buy this phone for months now...jojo beaconsfield likes this.11-07-15 03:50 PMLike 1
- Completely disagree with OP. It's by far the best VKB. (Don't compare PKB to other BlackBerry)
IPhone sucks and do all other Android VKB.
So to all Android and Apple users you will not get a better virtual or physical keyboard. As for BlackBerry users you have a choice. Stay with BB10 until forced, then what? Priv?
posted from my Priv!Last edited by Pinot2015; 11-07-15 at 04:24 PM.
11-07-15 03:56 PMLike 4 - What does it mean when all I can do is laugh when I read these complaint posts now? I've owned a Passport. And I'm sorry it wasn't the holy grail of phones that everyone makes it out to be. I can name 10 things that made it unusable for me from the width to the weight to the screen dimensions to the stickiness of the screen to the firmness of the keyboard, but I'm sure it's a nice phone for someone. The Priv beats it in every category in my opinion, but that's just me. I don't understand why people feel the need to fault the Priv for such trivial things. I'm sure this won't be the last thread like this one, though.
Posted via the CrackBerry App for Android11-07-15 03:59 PMLike 9 - I used to type on my Torch fine. Priv's keyboard looks bigger to me in pics.
Now I have a Passport with a huge keyboard.
I'm sure I would think the Priv's keyboard is tight compared to that.
It's all subjective.
It's all about what you're used to.
Nothing to see here...
Posted via CB1011-07-15 04:12 PMLike 5 - What does it mean when all I can do is laugh when I read these complaint posts now? I've owned a Passport. And I'm sorry it wasn't the holy grail of phones that everyone makes it out to be. I can name 10 things that made it unusable for me from the width to the weight to the screen dimensions to the stickiness of the screen to the firmness of the keyboard, but I'm sure it's a nice phone for someone. The Priv beats it in every category in my opinion, but that's just me. I don't understand why people feel the need to fault the Priv for such trivial things. I'm sure this won't be the last thread like this one, though.
Posted via the CrackBerry App for Android
Final note, look what BlackBerry did with the Z10 from 10.0 to now, and that is with software updates alone, while it might not be the right time yet for you to purchase, I dont think it would be fair to dismiss it completely in its first weekend.
Posted via CB1011-07-15 04:14 PMLike 4 - I am all in...this phone is excellent I have had them all just look at my eBay page to see how many phones that I have bought and sold on my quest to find the right one for me...thank you BlackBerry! I look forward to working with you yet again!!
Posted via the CrackBerry App for Android11-07-15 04:42 PMLike 0 -
... serious though that seems to be the top complaint so far. I'll have to see one myself, my fingers are more nimble than the average beer guzzling sports watching type (not saying you do).
Posted to CB via my Passport | Lloyd Summers | FileArchiveHaven11-07-15 04:46 PMLike 5 - Couple of things:
In the store, it has all those tethers and charging cables and is not comfortable to hold. I adjusted within a few hours of use and find it to be really nice.
I do not fault you for your impression - the demo unit I saw at AT&T had me worried as well, very laggy and hot. However I had the info from these forums about apps needing updating so was patient.
Posted via the CrackBerry App for Android11-07-15 04:47 PMLike 4 -
...and to some of you, watch your tone. Seriously, the OP is as entitled to his opinion (an INFORMED opinion of a BlackBerry device user on CrackBerry.com) as anyone, and certainly the Priv keyboard may be a revelation to some, but just like it's hard to back to an iPhone 3GS once you've used an iPhone 6, going to the Priv keyboard for a BB PKB device user might be a compromise some are unwilling to make.
I also waited for this device for literally THREE YEARS, ever since the original BB10 "Milan" device was announced then scuttled in favour of the Z10 and Q10: I had a Passport but when the Slider was shown at MWC, I sold the Passport before it lost too much value, KNOWING I was going to buy the Slider when it was released, at any price...
...until they said it was going to run Android, and even if you can get past that, the keyboard is not great. It's fine. Not as good as my Q5 keyboard, which I paid $99 for.
If you don't want people telling you that something you like may not be perfect or that other people may not like it, for your own sake and sanity: QUIT THE INTERNET. Now.11-07-15 04:58 PMLike 6 - 11-07-15 05:02 PMLike 2
- Haters are gonna hate. I have had nothing but great performance and usability from my Priv.allsportsfan and jmaxim917 like this.11-07-15 05:03 PMLike 2
- I hated the Passport keyboard at first then practice practice practice on it and loved it. I think the Priv will be the same way. You have to give it a chance.
Posted via the CrackBerry App for Androidanon(679606) and wincyUt like this.11-07-15 05:08 PMLike 2 - When BlackBerry hardware design has a coin-flip decision to make, why does it always have to "heads, you lose, tails, you lose"? Do they actually do any kind of market research to the effect of "Ok: here's a device that's slightly thicker, with one style of keyboard, and here's another that is slightly thinner, with another style of keyboard. Please try both and tell me which one you prefer.".11-07-15 05:10 PMLike 3
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- Unless you have one please don't post any negatively it's hard enough for Blackberry these days. I am on a full day with my Priv and all the the reported issues on here haven't affected my device.
I understand what some are saying but non of it is a major flaw I personally didn't like the keyboard but after a few hours I can't stop typing on it!11-07-15 05:16 PMLike 4
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In store experience was not a great one with the Priv
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