Interview with BlackBerry Elite. . .BlackBerry Hank!

The interview with BlackBerry Hank, he's all about BlackBerry!

There are a lot of people that love BlackBerry, and there are a lot that don't.  However, you will always find someone that is dedicated to the the OS, and lives for it as well.  I had the pleasure of interviewing one of BlackBerry's finest, who goes by the name of 'BlackBerry Hank.'  He currently runs www.rimarkable.com and a fitness site on FaceBook as well.  Rimarkable.com is a great place to keep up with blackberry news, and updates.  Go check it out if you have never been there, it's great.  Follow him on Twitter, Instagram, and Google+ (BlackBerryHank - links are below). So Sit back, relax, and enjoy a great piece of history being made.  Enjoy!

Healthy LifeStyles with Hank - https://www.facebook.com/healthylifestyleswithhank

@BlackBerryHank - https://twitter.com/blackberryhank

BlackBerry Hank - https://instagram.com/blackberryhank/

BlackBerry Hank - https://plus.google.com/u/0/112998944983948841571/about

http://www.rimarkable.com/

Why I like BlackBerry over the others!

So here is the thing...

People often ask me how could I like BlackBerry as my daily driver over other phones?  Like the iPhone, the Note 4, the LG G3...etc.  Well, let me say it's not that I hate the others...I just think BlackBerry has a hidden jewel that others don't seem to care about.

There are tons of videos online talking about how BlackBerry needs to make a comeback, and that they are falling behind because of the so called 'App Gap.'  I call BS when I see it, and this is clearly a silly thing for people to argue.  There is no doubt that android, and iOS have LOTS of applications in their market or appstore.  I'm not gonna sit here and type anything other than the truth!  But after that...what else do you have?  With Android, I have one of the highest spec'd phones on the market.  From the QHD display, to the Quad-Core processor with 3GBs of RAM.  On my iPhone I have their latest power house, and the little brother.  iPhone 6 and 6 Plus.  But when the day is done, how can I say that just because of their specs it's better?  Or the fact that they have more apps, they are better?  We can't...can we?  NOPE!   Take a look over at this contest that Technobuffalo has been doing with today's smartphones, and look at how BlackBerry is doing?  Click here to Vote and check it out!

This is not a mistake, people like BlackBerry...and more than what you hear on the internet!  Yes it's true, BlackBerry World does not have a lot of the common apps, but there is now Amazon AppStore.  What happened when they launched that?  People still said OMGoodness, there STILL is not a lot of apps here, which is just non-sense!  So when people say 'how or why' do I like BB so much, all I can say is it does it all.

I've been using BlackBerry since 2003, and I've loved it up until the BlackBerry Z10.  Which is when I found out how much I really LOVE BlackBerry.  BB10 took BlackBerry to another level in the mobile world, and some just refuse to see it.  They are caught up on what they read online, and believe it all.  Some people only use a BB for less that a Month, and then say it's horrible.  When you are trying to switch OS's, you have to really give it some thought.  What can I live with, and what can I live without?  Not just BlackBerry, but every operating system has it's downsides.  But what you read online with some OS's, are only negatives.  If the Devs really get behind BB, and just take the time to do it some long overdue justice..we would see an explosion of love for BB.  For those that are on the fence about getting a BB device, I would say this.

• Don't waste time over thinking it, or trying to tell yourself reason why you will not like it
• Don't listen to others that say it's not good
• Don't believe EVERYTHING you read on the internet about BB10
• Get a BB device you think might fit your needs, ie (keyboard or full touch screen)
• Try to shop around and get the best price if you are paying full cost
• Buy unlocked if you can (more freedom of choice)
• Use it just as you did your other device you are coming from
• Buy a couple of cases

I could go on, but I want to keep it as simple as possible.  Right now, I would say to anyone that wants a BlackBerry device with a keyboard, to get the Passport.  It by far is the best I've seen, when using a full keyboard.  When I first saw it, I thought WTH???  Seriously I did!  But after putting all fears aside, it turned out to be my greatest purchase so far in 2015!  I hate that I waited so long, but I'm glad I pulled the trigger.  I originally started with the OG Passport, and ended up switching to the AT&T Passport!  I felt it was the best thing to do based on the design of the AT&T version, after using the OG for a while.

The AT&T version does cost more, by a little bit. But you can get it on contract at $199, or they have the next program where you can pay monthly.  If you are not wanting to pay full cost, $649 I say take one of those options.   The AT&T version feels really nice in the hand, but keep in mind you are still getting a big square device!  BUT, with that you get the following.

• 4.5 display with a ppi of 453
• Full 3 row touch sensitive keyboard
• 13mp camera on the rear
• Metal body, strong body
• 3450 mAh battery that last all day
• 32GB on board storage, with SD card support up to 128GB
• 3GB of RAM, for smooth multitasking
• Quad-Core processor, even though I think it doesn't really need it to run smooth

I think you all should give the BlackBerry Passport a serious look, or just BlackBerry 10 period.  You will be surprised at how much you like it!  I've review both, and the videos are below if you have not seen them or want to revisit!

                                     AT&T BlackBerry Passport unboxing and hands on!

Unlocked BlackBerry Passport review!

Blackberry Passport, best in it's class.

A class of it's own!  Work smart, work 'wide' Blackberry Passport review!

When you first see the blackberry passport, you might be kind of Freaked out by its appearance. But don't let that sway you away from a beautiful experience on a mobile device. By today's standards, the average cell phone user might say that the BlackBerry Passport is weird. But they will be wrong.

Let's start by talking about one of the best features on the blackberry passport, the 4.5 inch display. It comes in at 1440 x 1440, which is a pixel resolution density of 453. I would say that is well above today standards, if not right at the top. The screen on blackberry passport is beautiful, and very vibrant. It displays text and pictures, and all colors when viewed beautifully.

Next let's talk about the keyboard, the three row keyboard that BlackBerry has placed on this device. BlackBerry markets this device as a device that you want to use to work wide, and they've succeeded in that area. Here are some of the functions that the BlackBerry keyboard can actually do.

• Gestures like flick to type
• Word predictions
• Voice to text
• Double tap keyboard to show cursor
• Touch sensitive keyboard
• Keyboard can be used as mouse
• Swipe down to expand on screen options
• Cut and paste
• Switch between languages easy

With this keyboard you can do all of those things. My first experience was with the BlackBerry Z10 using flick to type. I couldn't get used to this feature on the BlackBerry Z10, probably because it was already a touchscreen device. I know now that I just needed the sensation of something on my fingertips while typing. Typing on the blackberry passport won't make you any faster at what you're doing, but it will make you more accurate. I've noticed that I make less mistakes when using the blackberry passport, and that's a good thing.

Moving onto one of the best features of the blackberry operating system as a whole, is the

BlackBerry Hub. The BlackBerry Hub is essentially just a central location for all of your notifications. While others have tried to implement this type of notification Center, BlackBerry has done  it the best. From social media, emails, text, SMS picture mail, anything you can think of is housed in one location call the BlackBerry Hub. If you like to keep things organized, the BlackBerry Hub is for you.

BlackBerry include some great features with BlackBerry 10.3. One of the best additions to BlackBerry 10.3, is the Amazon app store. In the Amazon app store you can find tons of games, applications, and anything you need that can't be found in BlackBerry World. It may not be perfect, but it's a great addition to a fantastic operating system!

This time around BlackBerry included BlackBerry voice assistant, and it is very nice and very accurate. Web browsing, call quality, speaker quality, battery, camera quality, are all fantastic on the blackberry passport. The blackberry passport has a 3450 mAh battery, and it is sure to last you for at least a 24 hours and still have some battery left before you end your day. I've managed to get a full on every charge, while using the device. I would end mu day with about 20 to 30% everyday. Which is just great, considering I on it nonstop from the morning until. Emails, lots of text and BBM, and loads of Web browsing all of which won't run down the batter on the BlackBerry Passport in a day.

My overall experience with the blackberry passport is phenomenal, and I would highly recommend this device. Even if you're not a business person, or persons going to use this device solely for business. It is still going take good care of all your personal needs.   

The Blackberry Passport comes in 4 colors. 

• Black
• White
• Red (limited edition)
• Black/Gold (limited edition)

The Black one has a soft touch feel on the back, while the White version is more of a Matte feel.  I have not used the Red, or the Black/Gold versions.  But I would imagine they are about the same.  This device is just a joy to use as my daily device, and it has held up great for the way I use it.  It feels good in your hand, and will not slip out like some other devices we currently use.  This device has a nice texture on the back, so it will stay snug in your hand.  Speaking of slipping out of your hand, or dropping it.  I don't think the Blackberry Passport will break on the first drop.  Nor the second or third for that matter, because it is well put together.  It has a steel beam construction, that runs through the middle of the device which hold it together.  Great idea by Blackberry to go with this design element, it gives it a nice look as well.  When putting it in your pocket, or wherever you will know it's there....because it weighs in at 196g.  However, that is not a bad thing, because I like to know my phone or device is there while stored.  Don't let the weight fool you, it is not like what you would imagine.  By today's standards, it's right in line with tons of other devices in the weight category.  

All in all, I rate this device a 9.9/10...and that is only because of the way it is built.  For the average user, it will take them some time to get used to the size of the screen and how the device is shaped.  For me, it took all of 15 mins to an hour to fall in love.  I have/had lots of big devices already, (iPhone 6 Plus, Note 1,2,3, and 4, MediaPad X1, Mate 2, and so on), and this one fits in perfectly.

I think this is a must have/try to the non believers who might think it's not a good device.  You have to try it, before you can speak on it.  Check the video below at the break...you might like it.

A full listing of the specs can be found clicking on this link - Blackberry Passport specs sheet but I've listed some of the important ones below.

• 4.5 inch LCD capacitive square touchscreen (1440 x 1440 coming in at 453ppi)
• Custom 3 row touch sensitive keyboard by Blackberry
• Snapdragon 801 Quad Core processor, clocked at 2.26GHZ
• 3GB of RAM & 32GB of storage, with SD card support up to 128GB
• 13mp rear camera, 2mp front camera
• BBM messenger
• Blackberry HUB
• Dual band Wi-Fi
• Non-removable 3450mAh battery

If it's not tech, it's not worth talking about.

J. Williams