Sometimes in life, two things are just meant to be together. Peanut butter and chocolate, for example, are two things that are definitely meant to be together. That one time Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Power Rangers did a crossover episode? They were meant to be together, too. BlackBerry and Android, at this point, are in the same boat; the strengths and weaknesses of each complement each other and mesh pretty darn well, and just recently (finally) the two are together in one nicely wrapped package.
The BlackBerry Priv, which is a device that uses BlackBerry hardware but runs on Google’s Android software, had its official release earlier this month. The device has been long awaited by smartphone users who have been feeling nostalgic for BlackBerry’s iconic keyboard, but unwilling to part with the comforts that come with more popular operating systems like Android or iOS.
The Priv is intriguing in two major ways. The first being the obvious: Just because people wanted to see BlackBerry and Google team up didn’t mean that it would ever actually happen. I always wanted to see the Backstreet Boys form a supergroup with N*Sync but that never happened now, did it? But the former has happened, and it’s pretty neat to see what the end result is now that it has finally come to fruition.
The second reason is its overall design. BlackBerry managed to make a pretty awesome 2-in-1 deal here where you could have a “normal” looking slab-style smartphone if you want, or you could simply slide down the physical QWERTY keyboard to relive the satisfying glory days of actually feeling the press of a button when typing something out. The curved edges on either side of the device bring a modern twist to the design by creating a nearly bezel-free look. The Priv is equal parts modern and classic, and BlackBerry managed to make it look good.
However, whether the Priv will be remembered as the beginning of a blossoming, beautiful relationship between BlackBerry and Android or simply one of the last “hurrahs” we’ll see from the iconic smartphone manufacturer is yet to be determined. One might think that the Priv is a popular purchase due to the fact that it sold out on Amazon just hours after its initial release, but I suspect that has more to do with how much stock Amazon had on hand over anything else. After all, it would seem that the BlackBerry Passport initially had a limited supply in order to sell out quickly, create a buzz, and garner the quirky device some much needed attention. I would not be surprised if the same strategy was used with the Priv.
Regardless, I think a few years down the line we will still be talking about the Priv in one way or another. I do believe it is a phone that won’t be easily forgotten. The Priv offers one of the most unique smartphone experiences on the market this year, which makes it a prime candidate for most memorable smartphone of 2015.
Readers, what are your thoughts on the Priv? Do you think it will be the most memorable smartphone this year, or do you think a different phone is the most memorable? Let us know in the comments below!
