Warning, this is not for the uninitiated. Get a BlackBerry 10, use it for a week, then come here, and see if these will help you!


This is written on 18/Feb/2014 with a Z10 as a base, with BlackBerry 10.2.1.1925 (via DiGi)



First thing first:


1. What is a BlackBerry 10?

BlackBerry 10 is a brand new OS from BlackBerry (Formerly known as RIM). It runs on QNX (unlike BB4-7.1 that runs on Java)> To put it in another words, imagine PS3 and PS4. Different hardware, different OS. Not compatible with each another. Same thing with BlackBerry 10 and "legacy BlackBerry" devices. Just to note, BlackBerry 10 DOES NOT USE BIS, and even if you have BIS it will not work on BlackBerry 10. But keep the unlimited data package just for the lulz, cuz its unlimited yo!.

2. Why should I get a BlackBerry 10 device?
There are lots of reasons to get a BlackBerry 10 device, but here's what I'll say, irregardless whether you already have another device or not, you should really opt to also carry a BlackBerry 10 device (carry multiple devices, if you already owned another device, or carry a BlackBerry 10, if you're looking for a phone).

a. BlackBerry 10 is engineered as a communication device. A phone. Period. It is not an ipod+phone features, it is not a miniature PC + voice call features. BlackBerry 10 devices are communication device and are marketed as such.

b. a BlackBerry device is not for everyone, but it is for people who value being able to communicate within 2 minutes, and actually be able to respond even if the task of responding may take more than 2 minutes (like a frickin long reply email), and make that extra effort to communicate back.

c. The fastest (proven), and most HTML5 compliant mobile web browser to date. With FLASH player support too! Not all communications require a web browser, but having a web browser that actually can render almost anything you throw at it, is exceptionally wonderful when you need to work on things that require you to communicate via website. Period.


2. So I'm thinking a BlackBerry 10... what should I get?

Q5, Q10, Z10, Z30, are the ones to get. Z30 is pretty much the winner, not because of the internal specs that you see like a computer, but the tech behind it making it as a better communication device. The difference is HUGE.

Update 20/3/2015

Now we have the Z5, the Passport, the Classic, and we'll have more upcoming devices. That doesn't mean you should discount the older devices. They're very powerful dual core devices, and they're VERY efficient. Especially the Z30.

There are rumoured devices such as Jakarta *Updated*[now known as Z5](low end device) and another super 64-bit-octacore device (I have no idea why such a need for this on a phone, yet)

3. So, I have a BlackBerry 10. Now what?

a. make sure it has at least OS 10.3.1 *UPDATED 20/3//2015
b. get yourself a 16GB/32GB (64GB is only supported by Z30) CLASS 10 MMC. Do not use anything lower!
c. be adventurous.

4. Okay, so what's this thread for?
For all the maddening awesomeness of BlackBerry 10. Here we go.




#IchooseBlackBerry10 Awesomeness 1:
* The hub.

- Pinch the hub to show only UNREAD messages.
- Unpinch the hub to show all messages. (read and unread)
- Use Priority Hub to mark messages from a particular account / person / group / etc.


Update: If you own an Android device, you can get the BlackBerry hub, but you've got to pay. I've got a question, why pay for BlackBerry Hub, when you can get a BlackBerry phone that can now natively play Android apps, sans the Google Apps (oh wait, you actually can RUN Google Apps on a BlackBerry, did you not know that?)




#IchooseBlackBerry10 Awesomeness 2
*The keyboard (physical)
(section needs help from all Q10,Q5,Classic users)
If you want physical keyboard, you have it. You want a virtual keyboard, you have it. You want a HYBRID keyboard, you'll have it. Heck, BlackBerry announced that they'll revive the slider series, so you'll NOW have the BEST of physical and virtual keyboard. I'm not sure if the slider will implement a touch-sensitive keyboard ala the Passport, but if it does, consider the fact that BlackBerry got your keyboard needs COVERED. No other phones rival this.

Proof:

1) BlackBerry has the best physical keyboard. Motorola's physical keyboard is licensed to BlackBerry. Even the lousy, pirate, stinking thief Typo/Typo 2, was stolen exactly from a BlackBerry. So when you see a lousy, stinking, iFail user with a Typo (both literally and figuratively), you can jeer at him/her for being a hypocritical thief, if they start talking about keyboard inputs. Oh, don't let me get started on "Octopus" keyboard.

2) BlackBerry has the best virtual keyboard with partnership with Swiftkey, not "powered" by Swiftkey as some would like to lie to you. The spesifics are very clear. BlackBerry licensed Swiftkey's "heat mapping" technology into their own keyboard system (which you'll know if you came from the original Storm and the original Torch 9800 family) but otherwise everything is completely in house. Yes, that famous, very helpful swipe up to complete, swipe back to delete, that IS BlackBerry, which later inspired others to do swipe gestures on their own keyboards. Notice that there's no "swipe up to complete words" on many other keyboards?


#IchooseBlackBerry10 Awesomeness 2
* The keyboard (virtual)
- It learns everything that you type. From memo, sms, what you search in google (including ahem sites), search bar, IM, everything.
- The swipe feature. You won't get it at first, but later once you begin typing, the more you type the more it learns. Normally it may take up to one month before you'll most likely be swiping around 50% of your words. I have seen people swearing that they can almost sometimes get 90% done by swiping alone.
- It has up to 3 language simultaneous support. That's right. Up to three languages in a single message without even touching the language button. I set English, Malay as my language (can't write chinese, since i'm chinese illiterate) and I can write sentences like this, pure stereotypical Manglish:

"I tell you lah later kita go sama sama to the cinema tengok wayang okay? You happy saya gembira"
with absolutely no problem and no AUTOCORRECT trying to correct sama sama to same same.

I would extend this feature


#IchooseBlackBerry10 Awesomeness 3:
- The camera app.
Some people hate the camera, but I love it. You should too if you're a BlackBerry 10 user. Some people will claim that their phone camera is better than their point and shoot (lies, I've seen RM100 cameras tapau the crap out of S4 Zoom / iphones), or their DSLRs (blatant lie, people who make this statement as of 18/Feb/2014 have a special place in phone hell I tell you) and whatever camera. You want to be a real photographer you buy a real photography camera. Techniques can get you VERY far with phone cameras, yes, but it is still NOT a camera. But a BlackBerry 10 camera few awesomeness that you should look at:
-> built in filters (no need 3rd party apps)
-> facetime (facial capture that can be reversed up to 7 seconds behind)
-> Time of Flight sensor for the Passport




#IchooseBlackBerry10 Awesomeness 4:
- Can install Android APKs (to a certain extent)
As per 10.2.1, natively you can install APKs into the phone. Apps that require GAPPs however will not run. However, there is a way to bypass (ngek ngek ngek ngek, sorry ah but I'm not allowed to disclose this here) the GAPPS requirement on the APKs and make it work (again to another extent). A phone that runs apps from 2 OS natively. FULL of WIN!

Update: Search the Google on how to make BlackBerry run Google Apps natively. Not exactly recommended, since most of google apps can be run natively on the browser (and its fuller featured too)



#IchooseBlackBerry10 Awesomeness 5:
BlackBerry Messenger
-> This one is a little touchy, but BBM 10.3 just launched, and its filled with so much of awesomeness that if you're running BBM on legacy OS, Android and iOS, I feel you're missing out a lot of features. Sure, some people swear by Whatsapp. However, that's not important. More importantly is that BlackBerry can load a hell lot of IMs and still won't crash, and it has the best native BBM experience, and all the other IM experiences are also TOP notched as well.



#IchooseBlackBerry10 Awesomeness 6:
The backpanel.
Did you know that if you want a 'sturdier' casing with a better protection, all you need to do is just buy a 'clamp on' case that will replace the backplate. Many BlackBerry 10 devices so far (z10,z30,Q10) have fully removable backplate so that you can replace it with a cover that will not make it too bulgy. Nifty feature, since you bought a phone and you'll want others to know what phone you're using, not what case you're using!

#IChooseBlackBerry10 Awesomeness 7
The browser. [updated 20/3/2015]
Only very recently dethroned from the "top best HTML5 compliant browser", BlackBerry 10's browser is that powerful, that it was built based on itself. Literally. No external programs to write for the BlackBerry browser. Functionality wise,

10.3.1 browser removed flash (but you can always reinstall it, LOL!)
10.3.1 browser goes lighter
10.3.1 browser can view full websites natively, and not resized. Take a Passport for a test drive, and you'll see what I mean.

#IChooseBlackBerry10 Awesomeness 8
BlackBerry Blend
This one brings the things you love about BlackBerry to your desktop, mobile tablets, anything that has a 7" inch and above, except other smartphones, and oddly, the PlayBook.
You bring the phone's hub, all the emails, to your desktop. Unplug, and nobody gets to access it. Only you. Anytime, anywhere, with the core compartmentalization between what's work, and what's personal. You should have it, if you're a BlackBerry 10 user, and you'll love it.


Do you know of other BlackBerry awesomeness? or tips to make BlackBerry life more useful? Please share! Got a video, even better!

(added 6th blackberry awesomeness)
added 7th, 8th blackberry awesomeness)


This post has been edited by hyperyouth_firepower: Mar 20 2015, 12:25 PM

Hi there,

Since you saying that the newer Blackberry 10 OS (and above) does not need BIS to function does that mean BBM also can be used without BIS? Or they have totally done away with BBM? Or BBM is incorporated into other IMs like What's App/Facebook Messenger?

Newbie here and am thinking of getting my first Blackberry device, the Z3.

Thank you.

This post has been edited by rifhamdi: Mar 10 2015, 09:51 PM

BBM and BIS are 2 different thing.

BBM has now even available cross platform; iOS and Android can also use BBM.

Noted LP16 with thanks....

Will purchase a Blackberry and try it out first.

nice share there. particularly the pinching in at the blackberry hub

Does any one know..where can i get BB Q10 at low yat? urgently i need it.. Im searching for ORI but got AP at PJ. Kindly please help me.

The last I checked(during CNY), SenHeng @The Strand Kota Damansara still have last unit left in their inventory. White color though. Hope this helps.

#IchooseBlackBerry10 Awesomeness 6:
The backpanel.
Did you know that if you want a 'sturdier' casing with a better protection, all you need to do is just buy a 'clamp on' case that will replace the backplate. Many BlackBerry 10 devices so far (z10,z30,Q10) have fully removable backplate so that you can replace it with a cover that will not make it too bulgy. Nifty feature, since you bought a phone and you'll want others to know what phone you're using, not what case you're usin

Eg for removable backplate for q10? @@

Yeah, you can replace the backpanel, but I don't think in Malaysia market you can find those third party ones. China has a decent market, Hong Kong as well. Not sure about other places, but you've got to talk to locals there who can help. I don't deal with them, but I do know cases are many over there.

" It is not an ipod+phone features, it is not a miniature PC + voice call features... "

I reckon BB has a better dual speaker than the iPhone, did I just said DUAL? not 1 dummy grill 1 speaker..

ah that of course. And it doesn't bend.

Alright. BTW, does ixsun=blackberry service center provide service to change the phone housing? Of course with charges la

aiks you want to change the entire housing?

Yeah if the price is not that high. Can change partially only men?

for the moment i think only backcover plate nia.

Backcover plate usually cost how much? Cuz mine is quite loose Edi. Swt

any experience using Blend guys?

sorry for the necro, but what you need to know about Blend?

dont know why I dont understand how to start use it.. only manage to run blend once.. then after that cant run anymore

make sure your phone is connected to PC via

a) same wifi
b) USB


(make sure phone has blend activated from the drop down menu)
then activate blend on PC.

Voila.