BlackBerry Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) (TSE:BB) is very close to the release of its much anticipated Classic device whose pricing and pre-orders are now known to the people. Now, in its next move, to spur the popularity of the device, the company released more details about the device through a video. Similar steps were taken by the company for the launch of its popular device – BlackBerry Passport.
Navigation options –highlighted
The most defining characteristic of BlackBerry Classic is the navigating options, which have been highlighted by Donny Halliwell in the video released. The device is being launched by BlackBerry with the intention of recapturing the legacy of pre-BlackBerry 10 lineup of the company. The video has Halliwell discussing all the specific hardware features along with talking about the old features revisited by the company such as menu key, track pad, back button, etc. the returning hardware components.
The returning hardware components of the Classic device work along with the BlackBerry 10’s touch-screen capabilities rather than eliminating them and this ensures the perfect familiar BlackBerry Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) (TSE:BB) feel, says Halliwell. The new video can viewed from this link.
BlackBerry Classic specs
The 3.46-inch screen device has a screen resolution of 720×720 pixels and per inch pixel density is 291 pixels. The device is powered with a 1.5 GHz Qualcomm MSM8960 SoC dual-core processor. The RAM support configuration of the device is also superb at 2GB. Once the company releases its latest BlackBerry OS version 10.3., the device’s current OS will be upgraded to it. Video calling using the device is possible as it comes with a 2 megapixel front facing secondary camera and 8 megapixel rear camera with desirable functions like autofocus and LED flash.
The fans of old QWERTY keypad BlackBerry Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) (TSE:BB) devices like the BB Bold and BB Curve would like to upgrade to Classic as it too features the QWERTY keypad to which they are accustomed to. The device will help BlackBerry differentiate from the rival devices that are touch-screen based but do not have the physical keypads.
The features of Classic have been demanded by the customers, but the effectiveness of the device in successfully on-boarding the legacy BBOS users to BlackBerry 10 remains to be seen for now. The most important part yet to be seen is if the device is able to find audience for itself outside the thin vertical.