I have a BlackBerry Priv, and you have questions. It's time to do the thing!

[Laura Knotek]

Password keeper is there, as well as DTEK, BBHub, BBM, BBM Meetings, device search, content transfer, and the productivity tab.

Is it possible to disable these pre-installed BlackBerry apps?

 

[Russell Holly]

Can you enable installation of apps from unknown sources? I have a ton of games from HumbleBundle and if I can't install apps from outside of Google Play that's a big problem.

That is a standard Android feature, and it is in fact there for you to use.

 

[Russell Holly]

Is it possible to disable these pre-installed BlackBerry apps?

of course

 

[Laura Knotek]

Could I use Nova Launcher instead of the BlackBerry launcher?

 

[Mdbills484]

Excellent review Russell. Question of the day. Is this a compelling device absent the keyboard?

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[Laura Knotek]

I have a central inbox for everything, it's called the Notification Tray.

Can the BlackBerry type notifications be disabled so that an Android user gets his or her notifications the way he or she is used to on any other Android device?

 

[Russell Holly]

Could I use Nova Launcher instead of the BlackBerry launcher?

you can use whatever launcher you want

 

[Russell Holly]

Excellent review Russell. Question of the day. Is this a compelling device absent the keyboard?

Posted via the Android Central App

It really is. BlackBerry could make a keyboard-less option for $200 less and really make some waves in the budget space.

 

[Russell Holly]

Can the BlackBerry type notifications be disabled so that an Android user gets his or her notifications the way he or she is used to on any other Android device?

The BlackBerry notifications are opt-in outside of the launcher asterisk, so yeah.

 

[Laura Knotek]

Excellent review Russell. Question of the day. Is this a compelling device absent the keyboard?

Posted via the Android Central App

It really is. BlackBerry could make a keyboard-less option for $200 less and really make some waves in the budget space.

The keyboard is the reason I wouldn't want this device. I never liked sliders and haven't used a physical keyboard in almost four years, so it's an unnecessary feature that makes this device a no-no for me. If it were in the same form factor as the Z30 but with updated hardware and running Android, then I'd consider it.

 

[Dunt Dunt Dunt]

The keyboard is the reason I wouldn't want this device. I never liked sliders and haven't used a physical keyboard in almost four years, so it's an unnecessary feature that makes this device a no-no for me. If it were in the same form factor as the Z30 but with updated hardware and running Android, then I'd consider it.

Many feel the same way over at CrackBerry, we've been waiting for an all touch flagship device.... since the Z10 launched. The Z50 has been our magical unicorn for three years now....

The problem is BlackBerry is no longer a manufacture, they are contracting out the manufacturing and even the inventory and channel control on future hardware (like the PRIV). There is just no way they can have someone manufacture these devices, and then for them to turn around and sell them to compete with the likes of Motorola, HTC or Samsung. Thus the keyboard is really their only "gimmick" that allow them to even try to justify making a device and pricing it they way the do.

 

[ruhban]

What about sound quality and the audio chip? What are they like in comparison with BB10 hardware and other Android OEMs? Is there anything like Sony's audio suite on there? Or is it just standard Android stuff?

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[Joe1004]

OK - So I hung on to my BlackBerry as long as I could. The last one I had was a Z10 and the Hub was and is brilliant. I've been on Android 2 years through my work, and had Android phones before that for testing with my work.

There are a ton of reasons why I'd switch back, and the Hub and how well BB handles multiple emails accounts would be at the top of the list. One of my favorite BB features was the simple color coding of email in your unified inbox by account. It just seems like everyone else in the consolidated email spaces wants you to know by voodoo or something what account you are looking at. So, on Android, I keep everything separate.

I loved my old BB keyboards, but I'm fine without one, which is why the Z10 was a great device. The BB on-screen keyboard on that was great.

Make this a Z10/Z30 like device and have it work on Verizon in the US and I will instantly come back. Please.... BlackBerry - Do this. Please.

Russell - A question finally - Is the on-screen keyboard Z10/Z30 like with the same features, or is it stock Android? A BB feature I miss is "long press for capital". No one else seems to do that.

 

[bananagrams]

You do know this is an Android site? They probable don't have a clue what you are talking about in regards to the HUB and how it works on BB10 (well I'm sure Russell knows a little). I think you answer is best going to be answered over on CrackBerry for now.

But I think you need to keep in mind that plenty of Android users are able to be productive and organized... without any help from BlackBerry. They just do it differently.

Yes, I do realize.

My first question about the hub and its implementation was directed at Russell, which he didn't quite answer. As a BB10 user, I threw in some additional background information to provide context. I think I brought some valid points to contrast his view but he has not provided anything more than what appears to be a snarky reply. Yes, text on a forum is hard to tell the emotion behind the words but that's how it read.

My subsequent comments weren't a hit to android users, but rather looking for input on the items that I brought up. How and what is used on android that allows them to be productive? And really, where better to get that than an android site?

 

[Quot46]

Quote Originally Posted by Quot46
Can you enable installation of apps from unknown sources? I have a ton of games from HumbleBundle and if I can't install apps from outside of Google Play that's a big problem.

That is a standard Android feature, and it is in fact there for you to use.

I know that's a standard Android feature, and I also know that some manufacturers lock it down, especially when worried about 'security', which is why I asked the question. Thanks for the answer, but the snark was unnecessary.

 

[raino]

This may be obvious but have not haunted the Blackberry world for several years. Does the Priv require either BES or BIS from your carrier for it to work? I have an old Blackbery 9780, can't use for anything other than phone calls on a carrier like Cricket because they don't support even BIS and hence have no way to get the required service books. In short, do you have to have Blackberry Service with your carrier for the phone to work as anything other than a phone.

No, you can use this phone with a "generic" data plan. Or if you want, just WiFi.

 

[Golfdriver97]

How much internal space is available to the user after booting up?

 

[Laura Knotek]

Can the OEM bloatware be uninstalled, or is it only possible to disable it?

 

[JakePleasants]

Russell - A question finally - Is the on-screen keyboard Z10/Z30 like with the same features, or is it stock Android? A BB feature I miss is "long press for capital". No one else seems to do that.

I'm not Russell, but I saw the answer to this in a review. Well, not the entire answer as I don't know about all the features, but it does appear to be the BB10-type keyboard rather than stock Android because the feature where you can swipe up on a letter to select the next predicted word from BB10 is in fact intact.

 

[bungaboy]

As Russell said... people like what they are use to.

But also, HUB on the PRIV is not the same fully integrated experience it is on BB10.

So you got your Priv today too?