Would you buy a BlackBerry if it's running Android?

[CrackBerry Kevin]

It's looking more and more like BlackBerry is going to release a new phone that runs Android. If you've missed the rumors, you can see them here for the "venice" - a slider BlackBerry that looks to run Android lollipop.

I know there are a lot of members on Android Central that formerly were BlackBerry owners. I'm curious if a device like the rumored "venice" would get you back on a BlackBerry again? Vote on the poll above! If your answer is Yes or Maybe, curious to hear your thoughts as to why (is it having a physical keyboard option that appeals, or something else). And if your answer is no... what would they have to deliver in an Android phone to get you excited?

 

[Almeuit]

I would have to say no. I have ventured out of Android and was always sad after the fact.

 

[Aquila]

I'd like to see them nail the software and bring some very premium hardware before they start trying to change the form factor.

 

[VDub2174]

I'd have to play around with it first to see if it feels "right" to me.

 

[gkl]

I have had a long standing distrust for all things Google for a while now. But I am here, so yes, there is interest. Mainly because I feel I need to be more educated on Android. My last experience with Android was a Droid X. I only kept that one for about two months before I jumped back to BlackBerry.

New Slider? I have to admit it's intriguing. I'm also interested because there is a possibility that BB10 will be so enterprise focused, there will ne next-to-no reason to have it due to lack of support third-party apps. I guess what I'm getting at, is that I am a long time BlackBerry supporter (first device was 7250 back in 2005) and I feel like there may no longer be a BlackBerry operating system to choose from, in the near future.

 

[belodion]

I'd need to know more about the specs before considering it.

 

[Laura Knotek]

I'd have to say no, since BBM is available on Android (and works great).

I'm completely done with physical keypads and never cared for sliders, so the hardware would be a negative rather than a positive for me.

 

[peterallcdn]

I'm a long-time BlackBerry user and I'd consider a BlackBerry Android phone mainly to try something new and because BB10 development seems to have stalled. This slider though, I'm not sure about. I've never been a physical keyboard user and I'm not going to start now. Just knowing that there's a keyboard tucked into the slider, even if it adds very little thickness or weight, will bother me. If BlackBerry released a high-end all-touch device along with the slider, I would strongly consider that.

Although the best scenario would be BlackBerry 10 devices getting Google Play support so all Android apps work. The BB10 OS itself it tops, but again, it development seems to have stalled.

 

[TioPepe78]

If it gets an exact skin with peek & flow like BB10 I would and the same multitasking capabilities as BB10

 

[Septembersrain]

Yes. I want that Venice. It's a slider, I loved my Torch. This phone would be awesome with Android.

Sent from my LG G Pad 7.0 LTE using Tapatalk.

 

[pgg101]

I'd have to check it out. The only Google Services app I use is Maps, and that works 95% (I can't sign in) with the BB10 Android runtime. So I don't need Google services per se. With that said, if they stop making BB10 devices for consumers (and focus on enterprise only), then I guess I have no choice but to look at my options. I only hope Lollipop can run Hub and other apps as smoothly as BB10/QNX does.

Posted via the Android Central App on my BlackBerry Passport

 

[Rizotto]

Love it- I miss the keyboard on blackberry. That venice looks great. If it's light and durable they have my money!

 

[davidnc]

At this point in time my answer would be no.
I wouldn't.

 

[bhrgvr]

I would go for it if they get the hub right. Absolutely need that without fail

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[heading4tomorrow]

Blackberry running Android = No
Blackberry running Android with Hub and current Blackberry File Browser with Cloud integration = Possibly
Venice running BB10 with more functionality introduced to take better advantage of touch sensitive keyboard (compared to Passport) = Yes

However, from what I've seen so far, I think I'll stay with my Passport until they can make the device work completely via Keyboard (tap to select, mouse/cursor/selector options, KB working in Hub with a way to highlight emails, Enter/Return key working in more screens and be able to pinch and zoom). Maybe they should have added a trackpad, but who knows, maybe they'll improve the touch sensitive keyboard.

 

[heading4tomorrow]

Love it- I miss the keyboard on blackberry. That venice looks great. If it's light and durable they have my money!

Expected to be $750. I really don't think they will be able to attract any non-BB users at that price point, even I would have to think real hard before spending $750 on a new BB device. I had to wait for Passport price to drop before I could finally get one. To be honest, My z30 can still serve me very well, and it only costs $289 retail right now.

 

[syspry]

I'd consider it after their software team spent a few years perfecting their knowledge of running Android OS. Not at the beginning though.

 

[sandra_17]

Absolutely! Just posted here explaining why. And Kevin, seeing you posting in androidcentral is a sign that BB + Android is a perfect marriage

 

[bs03]

My husband feels this is my next phone. I want to see it first. It does look like the best choice for me that has come around in a while.

 

[athomas917]

Blackberry just needs to concentrate on hardware and go with an Android OS with a BB launcher if necessary. I had a Z10 since launch and while the BB10 was promising, very few major app developers made Native BB10 apps. Most of the major apps were Android ports. I have a Note 5 now and as great as it is, there are things lacking on it that the Z10 had like the HDMI out.

The Venice slider is promising but hopefully its not too little too late. BB should give existing BB10 device owners the option to upgrade to Lollipop.