Originally Posted by juiceme

Very good questions @dave. Having created a previous product could be seen as a bonus.

Originally Posted by HtheB

I don't know any more than you guys know.
But do any of you guys know the team who makes the Nokia phones? Who makes Apple phones? Who makes Sony, Huawei, OnePlus etc. etc...!?
Seriously grow up guys

Originally Posted by gtmaster303

But frankly I don't care about updates, I wish they would just release the phone already
Or at least give us a behind the scenes of what's going on. Where in development are you, any issues, next steps, etc. I know devices don't get built overnight and it requires a lot of work and time. At least keep us in the loop

Originally Posted by Astaoth

The keyboard part doesn't need any certifications. I think they are more about the wireless part (Wifi, Bluetooth, GSM).

Originally Posted by juiceme

Not the whole truth.

The chassis and mechanism affect the RF behaviour of the device; the antennas need to be designed against that, it is different when one has an unibody model.

Originally Posted by shaihkritzer

seems to me that it's based (partly) on moto mod development. and it was developed already till prototype phase. so not a big deal to add a PCB and a screen above the moto mod case lol.

Originally Posted by robthebold

I, too would love to know a little more about the team producing this. And should it ever appear, those people had better "shut up and take my money". Seems like we have a number of interesting potential devices (or potentially interesting devices) coming soon.

Originally Posted by gtmaster303

I'd like an update from Chen
The newsletters used to be about a week apart since they started and have steadily grown to just under 2 weeks apart now
Given the last one was on the 16th, we're due for an update

But frankly I don't care about updates, I wish they would just release the phone already
Or at least give us a behind the scenes of what's going on. Where in development are you, any issues, next steps, etc. I know devices don't get built overnight and it requires a lot of work and time. At least keep us in the loop

I feel like for this device to stay relevant, it needs to be released ASAP. Foldable screens are becoming the new big deal among cell phones. The market is at a point where cell phones have become as advanced as they can be and they're looking for a new innovation. The physical keyboard comeback probably isn't it, however it may just be the fresh new device that's different from everything else for the time being.

Honestly, this device should've been released 4-5 years ago, but no manufacturer ever stepped up to the plate. Even the Droid 5 prototype that was leaked was a lukewarm upgrade to the Photon Q (the last/best android QWERTY slider). I'm not surprised at all that they didn't release it, they barely tried to improve. So pissed off about that, no one tried. Not a single manufacturer. And don't tell me the Priv was good. Slides the wrong way, less than average keyboard, not great camera, no software support and stupid expensive. It was a failure, and I can't believe Blackberry bet the farm on that device.

All we see nowadays are slabs and emphasis on screen-body ratios. That's not a bad thing, but that's also why I was telling Chen to focus closely on physical dimensions. I know this phone has a keyboard and every other phone doesn't, but it is the comparison the public will make. The people that are committed to buying this phone will buy it regardless. But for the device to truly succeed, it needs to be adopted by more than enthusiasts. And if it's just another okay-ish phone with a physical keyboard for a gimmick, it won't succeed.

I'm really glad they took the time out to slap on the Pixel camera sensor, stock android, and a nearly bezel-less screen. Compact dimensions will seal the deal, but keep in mind compact-ish phones have been coming out for a while now. Technology also moves fast and is unforgiving. Sure the Pixel 3 sensor is great, but the google software backing it up is what sets it apart. Keep in mind the Pixel 3 has already been out for a few months now... And the world isn't rushing to buy new phones as much because they're built so well. Apple recently stopped announcing how many devices they sell, because sales are low, and they will go lower. Market is at the point of saturation, so this device needs to out there ASAP to make a difference.

Too Long, Didn't Read: CHEN, release the phone ASAP. I know we're asking for a lot, but for your success and relevance, deploy fast! The ship for QWERTY already sailed, but if this device is good enough, it might spark life back into the form factor. And try to build some hype for this device, outside of these few forums and the lone twitter post, or XDA article, there's very little posted about this phone. If people don't know about it, how will they buy it?

\end rant

Originally Posted by Wikiwide

Generally agree, updates are nice to hear, and being able to have the phone in hand is even nicer. I am not particularly interested in foldable screens - partially because I am tired of screen this and screen that. I am more interested in camera-sliders - Oppo Find X has an outstanding approach to this (though I still long for optical zoom).

I don't like Priv, but for a different reason - I wish this vertical slider had square display, just like Passport. And of course, Blackberry isn't kind enough to release a phone with unlocked bootloader and everything else ready for booting an open-source OS.

I like bezel, a prominent one - it protects display from scratches, in many situations.

And I wish for RGB backlight for keyboard, and done well at that. And it's already too late to ask for a non-rectangular phone...

Thank you. Best regards.
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Per aspera ad astra