The new BlackBerry Z10 places communication: messaging, mailing and social networking, at the centre of its operation.
During our first hands-on encounter with the touch screen-enabled Z10, it was clear BlackBerry has a different view from other manufacturers as to what users want from their smartphones.
Apple iPhone users initially see screens of apps, Android provides blank screens and a choice of widgets to fill them, whereas Microsoft offers square tiles that display summary information as well as link to applications.
The Z10’s operation revolves around the BlackBerry Hub, a screen displaying chosen sources for messages, email, and social network feeds.
When you activate a Z10 from sleep by swiping upward on the screen, you see an initial summary of new incoming communications at the left. Swiping from the right inwards brings up the communications hub where you read and respond to messages.
BlackBerry says the hub integrates with the phone’s applications. So when you reply to a message on Facebook, the hub invokes the Facebook app automatically – you don’t open it yourself. The same applies to other hub message sources.
A further flick from the right to the centre brings up the applications screen. Known as BlackBerry Flow, it depicts each of the currently open applications as a large square in a grid format. Up to 8 applications can run at the same time, and the squares dynamically update with new app information. A weather app, for example, will continue to display a summary of weather summary information on the applications screen.
Another rightward flick to centre displays a grid of apps similar to what appears on an iPhone. Mostly there will be one grid, but if the BlackBerry is used at work, there may be two tabs offering a choice of two grid displays: one for personal apps, and another for enterprise apps that run securely in a segregated section of phone storage.
The partitioning of Blackberry storage for separate personal and work use is made possible by “BlackBerry Balance”, a feature that becomes available when a user connects to the internet at workplaces that use the new BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES) 10, which the company announced recently. In Australia, enterprises will be paying $99 per user for BES 10.
Workplaces however can configure their servers to use ActiveSync for staff email if they don’t want to use the encrypted BlackBerry mail.
It should be pointed out that the partitioning of smartphones into separate work and personal areas is not new and has been available through security companies and on Android tablet devices sold by companies such as Lenovo for yonks.
The BlackBerry Hub however is never far away. You can access it from any function by placing your finger on the current app and holding it there, and then swiping from the left to the centre. The Z10 has a blinking light to alert the user to a new message. After replying to a message, you can quickly return to an app you were using.
Sliding the screen from the bottom up displays the calendar, while sliding from the top down brings up configuration options.
BlackBerry says the virtual QWERTY keyboard on the Z10 learns not only the words the user chooses, but the way you type them. The predictive text feature displays words alongside the keys, where they can be easily spotted. You can delete text by swiping from the right and choose special characters by swiping upwards.
Overall, some of the Z10’s operation is a little reminiscent of the Nokia N9, a one-off model that used the boutique MeeGo operating system and had an applications screen a little like the Z10’s.
The QWERTY keyboard-enabled Q10 wasn’t trotted out for a test-run at today’s media launch.
The Z10 and Q10 feature an 8.2 megapixel back-facing camera and a 2 megapixel front-facing one.
BlackBerry today didn’t indicate the battery capacity but suggested battery life of nine hours with heavy use. That may not be enough for users who work long hours and are away from home for well over nine hours daily. We’ll have to test a Z10 to know for sure.
BlackBerry said it had extended its proprietary messaging system. Users can now make VOIP calls and video calls over the BlackBerry network. Video functionality includes sharing screen content, so users can collaborate on drawing up documents or creating PowerPoint presentations during a call.
BlackBerry says it spent three years developing the new QNX-based operating system debuted on the BlackBerry 10, and obviously it also spent a lot of time delving into the fine detail of what makes a smartphone handset user friendly.
But there is a learning curve to the Z10 which may prove a barrier for adoption to users toying with dumping their iPhone or Android device. The trouble also for BlackBerry is those users may be few and far between.
