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WHAT WAS IT LIKE FOR NIGERIANS
What was your blackberry experience like in the blackberry era?
So… Blackberry started gaining ground in Nigeria around 2010 and became a leading smartphone in Nigeria in 2012 with the Blackberry Curve 8520, Bold 9900, and Curve 9360. Where was I in 2010… I had just come to Lagos to visit my older brother who at that time was a mobile phone technician. For the first time, I saw a phone that was far better than the usual JAVA and Symbian phones I was used to.
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Remember those Symbian phones we were proud of in 2008/2009, the likes of Nokia N73, 6600, let me not even mention some JAVA phones. There was something unique about this new discovery I had; the phone had this amazing keyboard design, with tactile feedback, you press and the response was as fast as a snap.
WHAT REALLY MADE BLACKBERRY UNIQUE...
- NAME
The name itself was one attractive force. It was just like having a kid visit a small town from London in Nigeria around the late 90s or early 2000s, on interaction with local kids, they will spell out their names “Oluwapelumi, Oghenekevwe, Omonigho,” and then he says ” my name is “Brian” with that fancy accent. BlackBerry was like the new and fancy deal. Funny enough the name Blackberry was chosen due to the resemblance of the keyboard’s button to that of the druplets that compose the blackberry fruit.
2. TIGHT SECURITY
Security on Blackberry devices was optimal, you can’t just easily freak a Blackberry device. When someone freaks your device, they effectively copy it and in the case of cell phones, this is used to make calls free. They could remotely catch the contents of the handset and use it to gain access that they don’t pay for, a common occurrence when Bluetooth is enabled.
Blackberry had a better security model, they were known to be reliable and secure which is why many businesses and political leaders use them.
3. PERFECT BUILD
Let’s not forget the beauty of the phone, the BB logo on your device conveys the pride of using a premium phone. It actually gave a class to customers.
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I happened to have used a lot of blackberry phones… But I will tell you which I think gave me the best user experience.
WHAT WAS YOUR BEST BLACKBERRY SMARTPHONE?
I didn’t purchase my first BlackBerry phone till 2013. I saved for about some months to get my bold 2… that was late right? Well, I cherished my white bold 2 and handle it with care, it was my first after the Symbian Nokia I had, and yes; it meant the world to me.
The Blackberry Passport SE was such a beautiful and great product, I’d say, it’s awkward to hold at times, but I’m certain that I will miss the size/aspect ratio of the display.
What about the Z30… I loved the premium feel, full touch, and the amazing natural sound! can’t still get over the speakers and the signal reception, I literally nick-named my Z30 “Wi-Fi” It was one pretty, awesome media phone and the battery really lasts.
Honestly, these phones are great, but if I were to reuse a BlackBerry product, it would be a Q5.
I specifically purchased my Q5 for its plastic screen, It was the only available decent smartphone without fragility. I had to nurse it like a baby though.
I had dropped my Q5 multiple times, including on concrete that even the plastic screen protector had a big concrete point tear in it from one time. Had to replace that, but blessed my purchasing wisdom every time it comes to impact and the way I could sling the thing around in a way that suggests risk to future generations.
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Although on the topic of great BB Phones; the Q5, while its specs were not all that modern, the keyboard was excellent, good in size for phone calls, and throwing in pockets. Oh, and the sound quality on it was awesome. Almost hard to believe it’s not 24 bit or 48khz or something. Being a music fan, that’s one of my favorite things outside of the zippy text/email keyboard.
SHOULD BLACKBERRY RETURN IN GRAND STYLE…
It’s a pity how BlackBerry was swept into the mud. With the advent of Android OS, it failed to innovate and became complacent in how the smartphone market was changing, despite being one of the first smartphones.
I for one, I have optimism for a new BB product.
Do you think BlackBerry should return in better style?
Tell me… What was the BlackBerry product for you…
let me hear in the comment section.
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