This thing has really grown on me.....

[anon(522296)]

When I got my Priv I was switching from the 6p I just received last Monday. Friday I got the itch and had to head over to AT&T to go pick up the Priv. Initially I wasn't too blown away, especially after using a great device like the 6p, but after using the Priv for four days and seeing how powerful the hub, google now and the keyboard is, there is no turning back now.

I have been using Android since 2010, when I left Blackberry after three years of use. Since then I have been on all sides of Android, a formerly addicted crack flasher with Cyanogen and a bunch of other ROMs. So I am an experienced Android user and heavily vested in the Google ecosystem, but I have been waiting for blackberry 10 to have the ability to utilize google play services for quite some time but now with the Priv I get the best of both worlds.

Something about the HUB for me always worked, probably because I have ADD pretty bad like most business users and the device keeps me in line. For the past five days I haven't missed a single email, not bad for me. My usual "let me open gmail and scream mindset" is now gone. The physical keyboard I'm still learning and I'm good on swype but as I keep using it I keep getting faster and with a lot less typos and I think another week or so I'll be pretty close to my swype output.

I think what blackberry did here is phenomenal, its a great mix of the best of Google and the best of Blackberry and I only think it can improve from here on out. I will say that going from Android to the Priv is a great experience, but from BB10 to Priv I certainly understand how frustrating learning a new OS could be and thats why that BB crowd is so pissed. I think what specifically works well is, if you were a former BB user and switched to Android - or you're a really open minded BB user and want to learn Android.

I think the Priv is the most powerful productivity device ever made because of the Google now and BB Hub, and its a great device to from a comfort standpoint. I think any of the bad reviews were people that either never got the device (GIZMODO) or never spent the time getting used to it like a true reviewer would. It is different, and it works different but if your patient enough you will see the amazing potential this device could have on your life. Lets see how they do with the updates and keeping everyone happy but I'm not going back to my 6p or any other Android device, I like the complexity and productivity I have here with the Priv so congrats BB I think this device will be a great success!!

 

[Dunt Dunt Dunt]

Sadly many bad review of the HUB are due to it is better on BB10. But BB10 is the past.... going forward the HUB is a great tool for productivity users on Android, and I bet it only gets better.

 

[SinfulDroid]

Glad you're enjoying your Priv! Maybe BlackBerry can start building momentum to keep making Android phones.

 

[anon(522296)]

Sadly many bad review of the HUB are due to it is better on BB10. But BB10 is the past.... going forward the HUB is a great tool for productivity users on Android, and I bet it only gets better.

Yea I agree it is a better implementation on OS10 but I guess only so much is possible with Android and I think the overall goal is to get back to that more complete HUB feeling over time but this is great start especially with email.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[shabbs]

I will say that going from Android to the Priv is a great experience, but from BB10 to Priv I certainly understand how frustrating learning a new OS could be and thats why that BB crowd is so pissed. I think what specifically works well is, if you were a former BB user and switched to Android - or you're a really open minded BB user and want to learn Android.

This is a great point and the reviews/criticism certainly align in the same way. For BB10 users, it is a significant change that can be frustrating at the start. I'm one of those and when I do get the PRIV, I will no doubt have to exercise patience and learn from others here. I think as people spend more time with it, they will get familiar and adapt. Barring a miracle, BB10 is near end of life and we'll have to move on one way or another.

Hopefully BlackBerry can continue to improve the apps and enrich the Android experience.

Now... I just gotta get me one...

 

[iToya]

Great points ptm88! I'm one of those users who jumped from a Passport to the Priv on release day and after spending the weekend with the phone and letting myself know that this isn't BlackBerry 10, the Priv has grown on me as well. This is the experience I was looking for. The Priv is really a holistic device that marries the best features of BlackBerry 10 with Lollipop and it can only get better from here.

 

[Frosty_Power]

Loving mine the more and more use it.

 

[anon(5630457)]

I'm loving my Priv. My only complaint is that the selfie camera sucks. But...I only take like two selfies a year anyways so it's not that big of a deal.

 

[CarGuy1368]

I seem to be the opposite to most people here on the Android Central forums. I've been a BlackBerry user since 2009, so this is my first Android experience. I am elated that BlackBerry has started using Android. The combination of Android and BlackBerry's hardware is out of this world.

Posted via the BlackBerry Venice

 

[medic22003]

I'm loving my Priv. My only complaint is that the selfie camera sucks. But...I only take like two selfies a year anyways so it's not that big of a deal.

So now that you have a backup pin, have you tried picture password again? I use it on my z30 and if and when I get Priv I'd like to continue using it.

posted with my bb10 z30

 

[anon(5630457)]

So now that you have a backup pin, have you tried picture password again? I use it on my z30 and if and when I get Priv I'd like to continue using it.

posted with my bb10 z30

I'm too afraid to try the picture password again. Haha.

But yeah, I'll probably try it again soon...

 

[Mdbills484]

I'm on my 2nd day with the Priv and running it alongside my trusty Note 5. So far, I have none of the complaints being discussed over on Crackberry. I updated all the BB apps as was recommended and I'm buttery smooth. Hub is way better than stock email apps and it'll only get better. The speaker is surprisingly good for being mono. Sound is fairly rich and loud. Total bonus.

 

[Frenzytom]

Well, I went into an AT&T store by work yesterday and they had a brand spanking new Priv on display and a nice cozy couch next to it. I sat down, took my time and spent a good half hour trying it out and boy am I impressed. The screen is amazing and the speed is great. The physical keyboard was very nice though a bit cramped for my large hands. It took about that time for me to get use to it. I love the swiping to get to words it predicts. The speaker was very loud and I thought the Hub was nice even though it didnt have the social apps set up yet. The soft keyboard was nice to compliment to the physical one. I love the grippy back as well as the camera was good. Didn't try the selfie one. I asked if it has wireless charging and the sales person said no. I thought all US versions will have it. Overall, Blackberry nailed it on this one.

 

[anon(5630457)]

So now that you have a backup pin, have you tried picture password again? I use it on my z30 and if and when I get Priv I'd like to continue using it.

posted with my bb10 z30

I set up a picture password and now it works flawlessly. I love it. And no, I didn't forget where I am supposed to put the number. Haha. Lesson: one shouldn't set up passwords when tired.

Posted via the BlackBerry Priv on the Android Central App

 

[shabbs]

I set up a picture password and now it works flawlessly. I love it. And no, I didn't forget where I am supposed to put the number. Haha. Lesson: one shouldn't set up passwords when tired.

Glad to hear. The picture password is great and I love it on my Z10.

 

[pgg101]

Sadly many bad review of the HUB are due to it is better on BB10. But BB10 is the past.... going forward the HUB is a great tool for productivity users on Android, and I bet it only gets better.

I'm sure BlackBerry will eventually get the Priv hub in sync with the BB10 version. I wouldn't be surprised in a few months it's at parity if not better.

Posted via the Android Central App on my BlackBerry Passport

 

[Dunt Dunt Dunt]

I'm sure BlackBerry will eventually get the Priv hub in sync with the BB10 version. I wouldn't be surprised in a few months it's at parity if not better.

Posted via the Android Central App on my BlackBerry Passport

I wouldn't go that far... it is just an App, where as the HUB was really part of the OS on BB10. Accounts, File Manager, Gestures.... doubt they'll ever be able to match the integration they had on BB10. And to be honest, I'm not sure most Android users will even care... they are comfortable doing things the way they do now.

 

[medic22003]

I set up a picture password and now it works flawlessly. I love it. And no, I didn't forget where I am supposed to put the number. Haha. Lesson: one shouldn't set up passwords when tired.

Posted via the BlackBerry Priv on the Android Central App

Lol good to hear. I really liked picture password coming from android and having to use either a pattern or a number. At least I liked it after I figured out how to use it. I hated it at first lol.

posted with my bb10 z30

 

[medic22003]

I wouldn't go that far... it is just an App, where as the HUB was really part of the OS on BB10. Accounts, File Manager, Gestures.... doubt they'll ever be able to match the integration they had on BB10. And to be honest, I'm not sure most Android users will even care... they are comfortable doing things the way they do now.

Android users are liable to love the hub as is in the android version. I used to hate checking email on my androids. The hub on a z30 made me pretty much put my laptop down and enjoy checking it on my phone. 4 emails and I can check them all with ease in the hub. I don't do social media, Facebook, Twitter, all that crap I could care less about. I don't have my texts come into the hub either. I'm one of those weirdos that would rather just go to the messaging app for that. The Priv hub is probably fine for me, but I understand those who like the greater function with bb10.

posted with my bb10 z30

 

[shabbs]

I wouldn't go that far... it is just an App, where as the HUB was really part of the OS on BB10. Accounts, File Manager, Gestures.... doubt they'll ever be able to match the integration they had on BB10. And to be honest, I'm not sure most Android users will even care... they are comfortable doing things the way they do now.

Yeah, will be hard to get that kind of integration on Android.

All Hail the BB10 Hub.