BlackBerry Z10 announced

[danrok]

RIM has officially announced it's first BlackBerry 10 device: the BlackBerry Z10. It could be one of RIM's worst kept secrets ? we've already seen the Z10 and the new OS leaked from plenty of angles -- but the speculation and waiting is finally over. The Z10 is RIM's first full-touch smartphone running the company's new operating system.

More here: BlackBerry Z10 announced | The Verge

[Aedan]

Not only is it announced, but if you live in the UK, it's available tomorrow from EE, O2, Vodafone, Phones 4u, BT, 3U and the Carphone Warehouse. In Canada, it'll be available from the 5th Feb. See Crackberry - Blackberry Z10 pricing and carrier availability for some more info.

[danrok]

What makes the Z10 better than the Galaxy SIII?

The operating system?

[chrisbard]

Who said its better?

[Aedan]

I'm not going to get involved in a "which phone is best" thread, as it'll just turn out like Linux vs Windows or Mac vs PC. I'm also contractually limited to what I can say about BlackBerry devices - crackberry might be a good place to head to for more info.

Things I like about BlackBerry 10:

• BlackBerry Hub - Unlike the Android device I currently have, I can have a unified inbox. I don't have to have one app for sms/mms, a different app for email, another app for calendar, and a another handful of apps for social network. Instead, it's all neatly in one place, with an "at a glimpse" notification so I can see if I've had new emails or text messages (and how many), as well as being able to peek at whatever's come in. I don't have to quit or open any app to do this, even if an app is full screen.
• I like the BlackBerry 10 keyboard more than I like Swype on my Android device. Having used a few virtual keyboard the BlackBerry 10 keyboard feels much more intuitive to me.
• Having BBM video that can handle screensharing is good - too many times I've wanted to share a picture or similar with someone, but had to resort to sending it via another route.
• A web browser that is more HTML5 compatible than my desktop browser (Seriously - I compared it with IE, Firefox and Chrome in Ringmark). And the browser still offers me flash for those sites that just don't work without it.
• BlackBerry Remember's integration with Evernote means I can clip websites, emails, photos and synchronize shopping lists with my wife.
• Compatibility with standards like CalDAV, CardDAV, ActiveSync means that I have no problem with running my BlackBerry 10 device with strong encryption to my own servers.
• Support for NFC, above and beyond just tags and payment, including the presence of an embedded secure element. For example, I can use my BlackBerry 10 device instead of a RFID tag for unlocking doors - even if the phone is flat.
• I like BlackBerry Balance, as it means I don't have to carry two phones - I've tended to keep personal stuff off my work phone because there wasn't any separation. Obviously this doesn't count if you've only using the device for personal use.
• Good screen at a res of 1280x768.
• It has a team of ppl who's job is to find the holes in it's security.
• It keeps me employed!

[danrok]

Originally Posted by chrisbard

Who said its better?

No idea if it is. Probably too soon to say.

I doubt that any given phone is best at everything.

So far, it looks like the Z10's camera is not so good. The Lumia 920 is probably still the best for photos.

[Aedan]

I think if all you want your phone to do is to take pictures, then the 41Mpixel Nokia 808 PureView pretty much trumps everything else. It'd be interesting to know who's camera modules are being used in various devices.

[danrok]

Yes, forgot about that one, but still the quality is noticeably inferior to compact cameras which are half the price.

[Daniel ~]

I'm curious Danrok, can a phone take pictures the professional you would be happy with? Or are we just talking snapshots for the friends and family?

[Daniel ~]

Originally Posted by Aedan

I'm not going to get involved in a "which phone is best" thread, as it'll just turn out like Linux vs Windows or Mac vs PC. I'm also contractually limited to what I can say about BlackBerry devices - crackberry might be a good place to head to for more info.

Things I like about BlackBerry 10:

• BlackBerry Hub - Unlike the Android device I currently have, I can have a unified inbox. I don't have to have one app for sms/mms, a different app for email, another app for calendar, and a another handful of apps for social network. Instead, it's all neatly in one place, with an "at a glimpse" notification so I can see if I've had new emails or text messages (and how many), as well as being able to peek at whatever's come in. I don't have to quit or open any app to do this, even if an app is full screen.
• I like the BlackBerry 10 keyboard more than I like Swype on my Android device. Having used a few virtual keyboard the BlackBerry 10 keyboard feels much more intuitive to me.
• Having BBM video that can handle screensharing is good - too many times I've wanted to share a picture or similar with someone, but had to resort to sending it via another route.
• A web browser that is more HTML5 compatible than my desktop browser (Seriously - I compared it with IE, Firefox and Chrome in Ringmark). And the browser still offers me flash for those sites that just don't work without it.
• BlackBerry Remember's integration with Evernote means I can clip websites, emails, photos and synchronize shopping lists with my wife.
• Compatibility with standards like CalDAV, CardDAV, ActiveSync means that I have no problem with running my BlackBerry 10 device with strong encryption to my own servers.
• Support for NFC, above and beyond just tags and payment, including the presence of an embedded secure element. For example, I can use my BlackBerry 10 device instead of a RFID tag for unlocking doors - even if the phone is flat.
• I like BlackBerry Balance, as it means I don't have to carry two phones - I've tended to keep personal stuff off my work phone because there wasn't any separation. Obviously this doesn't count if you've only using the device for personal use.
• Good screen at a res of 1280x768.
• It has a team of ppl who's job is to find the holes in it's security.
• It keeps me employed!

It's good to see you situated in a position you seem to have natural enthusiasm for. This bodes well for Blackberry's future in my book.

[danrok]

Originally Posted by Daniel ~

I'm curious Danrok, can a phone take pictures the professional you would be happy with? Or are we just talking snapshots for the friends and family?

No, for one, the camera and lens are too small.

It is a physical impossibility for such a small lens to perform the same as a much larger lens.

But, phones on cameras are only intended for snaps and videos you would share online, etc.

[noob]

Whatever is the equivalent to the Z10 when I'm ready may be my next device.

I currently use Android ( Sony Xperia Acro S and have since the original HTC Desire) because of what I use, and BB10 seems to have 85% already with a few extras I prefer.

On a regular basis I use:
SFTP server - HTTPS/FTPS/SFTP Server
File explorer with SMB FTP/SFTP built in - ES File Explorer
SSH/Telnet client - Connectbot
RDP Client - Remote RDP Lite
VNC Client - Android VNC Viewer
PDF Creator - PDF Creator Ultimate Free
Networking tools - fing, IP calculators, GTech Network Tools, wifi analyser
Video calling - Skype, Google+
Navigation - Its an android, Google of course.
Music - MP3, FLAC, A2DP bluetooth
DLNA content server to TV/PC - inbuilt client

~~

Daniel - even a dedicated instant camera for ~$150 is better than about any integrated phone + camera. They are good for getting a document if you don't have a scanner handy, or that quick photo when you didn't think to bring a proper camera. Apart from that, they are pretty rubbish.

edit - 3 photos for comparison
1.jpg from ~10 year old 'compact' Sony DSC-V1 5MP camera
2.jpg from ~4 month old phone Sony Xperia Acro S 12MP camera
3.jpg from ~5 year old compact Sony W300 13.1MP Camera
All on similar or same settings most likely fully automatic or landscape mode.

[chrisbard]

Someone lost an elbow in one of the shots

[Daniel ~]

Daniel - even a dedicated instant camera for ~$150 is better than about any integrated phone + camera. They are good for getting a document if you don't have a scanner handy, or that quick photo when you didn't think to bring a proper camera. Apart from that, they are pretty rubbish.

edit - 3 photos for comparison
1.jpg from ~10 year old 'compact' Sony DSC-V1 5MP camera
2.jpg from ~4 month old phone Sony Xperia Acro S 12MP camera
3.jpg from ~5 year old compact Sony W300 13.1MP Camera
All on similar or same settings most likely fully automatic or landscape mode.

Still... you can phone home a pretty good idea of what your doing and where you are...Ya Beach bum!

(envy only dies when we do! ) LOL