BlackBerry
Originally built for businesses, BlackBerry isn’t quite what it used to be.
At one point in time, the platform stood above all, providing practically instant email for people who needed it 24/7, with hardware keyboards if needed, and an instant messaging service that could connect BlackBerry users to each other quickly and easily across its network.
But during the rise of Apple’s iPhone-led smartphone revolution, and with Google pushing Android harder and harder into so many areas, BlackBerry’s evolution almost became stunted, though the company has made strides to return in recent years.
As such, BlackBerry can do all the things every other smartphone can do, and there’s still a push for strong email in the platform.
The operating system used is a little different from its competitors, though, with a reliance on gestures more than anything else. Few physical buttons are found unless there’s a physical keyboard on the phone, and you’re generally swiping left, right, and vertically to get the phone to work for you.
As far as the app ecosystem goes, BlackBerry isn’t as strong as Android or Apple’s iOS, though with some trickery, you can get Android apps running on BlackBerry devices.
Recommendations
BlackBerry Z10
Price: $599
A return to relevance, the Z10 was the first phone to bring BlackBerry from near death and back to the world of the living, providing new technology, a fresh look, and a simplicity that many could get behind.
BlackBerry also revealed a bigger improved version later in 2013, which we didn’t get to see, but was released as the Z30 ($699), a device sporting the look and feel of the Z10, except for people who like a larger device.
BlackBerry Q10
Price: $699
Built for the people who still love hardware keyboards, the Q10 is BlackBerry’s attempt at keeping both a touchscreen and a proper keyboard in a modern phone. BlackBerry’s most recent operating system is here, and if you’re a fast keyboard user, you’ll likely prefer this than the stock standard touchscreen typing experience offered.
Wait for…
BlackBerry isn’t quite pulling the numbers like it once did, but the company still has some fight left in it.
We’re not sure how long BlackBerry will end up sticking around, but it’s lasted longer than most expected, and there’s always a possibility it will be bought out by someone else, such as Samsung, Sony, or even Lenovo.
Dumbphones
It might sound strange, but we still have the odd dumb phone lying around, with the big three telcos in this country all sporting at least one button-based phone in their selection meant for people who just need the basics.
There are far, far less than there used to be, and if you want something with less of an emphasis on web browsing, social networking, and taking plenty of pictures with high resolution cameras, you can be catered for, though the pickings are pretty slim.
Devices like the Samsung E3300/3309 or “Manhattan” can still be found, bringing with it 3G speeds, a low resolution VGA camera, and a simple candy-bar design, with still a degree of support for social networking.
Telstra has a few to speak of, built for the bare basic of phone calls with FM radio added in for good measure, while Doro (above) specialises in button-based phones for seniors.
Nokia has three or four button phones still left in Australia, too, with most providers selling either the 301 or 208, candy-bar shaped handsets sporting a bit of smart functionality, support for 3G, camera, music, and even some GPS support.
Outside of these, though, there aren’t many choices for button-based devices, and if you need one in the next few years, your selection with only get smaller.
