#berryflow

The Priv has been at the centre of a lot of discussions revolving around security, privacy, pricing, what it means for BlackBerry as well as what it means for the mobile segment in general.  And while all those discussions are valid and have some great points on either side I’m more interested in another discussion that is simultaneously occurring, one that could define BlackBerry going forward.  With a wink, a mysterious device in my hand, and a sexy pose as I look into the camera, I’m talking about marketing.

I, along with a number of others have been fairly harsh on BlackBerry recently when it comes to how it’s marketing the Priv.  From the first images on the BlackBerry website to the recent YouTube videos it quickly starts to feel like a hodgepodge of marketing attempts and tactics are being used.  I recently lost my cool when an image was posted on BlackBerry’s Instagram account with a woman, dressed in casual clothing, laughing and covering her face with the Priv, all set in a black and white filter.  I say I lost my cool because I just couldn’t believe the lack of a coherent message or identity that the numerous ads revolving around the Priv fail to achieve.  People were defending the ads saying they were creative but I didn’t feel they were.  And while I don’t want to revisit that aspect (creativity) I will say that creativity is as much about the canvas upon which a thought and/or emotion is conveyed as it is the context in which it is delivered.

The Privilege of #PRIVacy #PRIV

A photo posted by BlackBerry (@blackberry) on Oct 27, 2015 at 7:26pm PDT

But I’m not here to argue my opinion over another’s, especially when it comes to a topic as subjective as creativity (it’s what makes art beautiful!).  I want to talk about the entire marketing campaign for the device thus far.  The Priv is being defined by a mixture of web ads, along with portraits of people (emphasis on the people) holding the device, and a few YouTube commercials.  I will call it like I see it and I think the web ads look like they were created using Microsoft Paint but are simple and to the point, the portraits look like they have sex appeal but are cheap and don’t quite get the message across and the YouTube commercials touch on emotions…actually no complaints here.  But one thing that stands out above all of this is that there IS some form of marketing coming from the company.  

I thought “here we go another me-too device…one that people won’t even think is a me-too device because they’ll just think it’s BB10.”

While the device doesn’t seem to be garnering any specific identity like Passport’s Work Wide, or the Z10/Q10’s Keep Moving it’s hard to argue with the fact that at least there is some marketing being put out onto the web so that people are aware about the device.  Anyone who has been following BlackBerry since the launch of BB10 can attest to the heartbreaking realization that nobody outside of our tiny little community knew about the devices.  At first it was the droves of people who assumed BB10 was the same as BBOS, then came all the people who assumed BB10 had no apps (they didn’t realize we could install Android apps from Amazon and Google Play).  You can understand my skepticism when I first heard about BlackBerry releasing an Android device.  I thought “here we go another me-too device…one that people won’t even think is a me-too device because they’ll just think it’s BB10.”.   I was wrong.

The confusion around what BB10 was

The device seems to have garnered a bunch of positive attention.  People aren’t confusing it for a BB10 device (well other than a few of us BB10 hopefuls!).  I’d almost even say people on all stretches of the mobile spectrum are excited about it.  If you had asked me a few months ago whether I thought the device had a chance I would have said “not likely”.

Passport’s Work Wide Campaign

That sentiment revolved around a realistic look at past efforts.  BlackBerry’s foray into the app-crazy mobile space has been largely defined in the media by two things: a lack of apps and a lack of marketing.  And while I certainly have my own thoughts on the quantity vs quality approach that I think we’re seeing, I certainly can’t complain about the effort they are putting in.  It’s a refreshing sight to see actual non-BlackBerry fans talking about the Priv, talking about it with a reasonable sense of what the device is.

It’s something that as a BlackBerry fan have been wanting and asking for…I didn’t quite imagine it like this but I’m OK with that.  It’s a sign of things to come.  Who knows we may even see TV ads or other types of viral marketing that we’ve seen competitors do over the years (but please let’s not revisit the SuperBowl).  Hopefully we can put past efforts behind us and see this device through a successful launch one Priv at a time.

Priv: Marketing On via BerryFlow.com.

James Nieves hosts Currents, a culture and technology podcast where guests share curated content through a self-contained discussion pattern. To participate, each guest must present a topic, then pose a question to a specific guest. Currents supports mobile lifestyle and current events through the optic of varied guests and backgrounds. Content contributed to the format could be a song, a picture, a quote or anything that can serve as a touchstone for discussion.

Synopsis: In this episode, we talk about dark yet empowering punk rock, cultural appropriation (aka Columbusing), the intent behind Drake’s Hotline Bling music video, and what happens when we run out of names online.

Podcast RSS / MP3 Download

Currents Setlist:

Trippin’ the Life Fantastic – Weathebox

“Columbusing” aka Cultural Appropriation

Hotline Bling – Drake

When Will We Run Out of Names?

Rotation:

@jmznvs

@katykleinginna

@Bla1ze

@alexhbass

Currents #1 – Columbus via BerryFlow.com.

We’re getting down to the heart of the matter when it comes to Priv by BlackBerry. With devices reaching many more hands we’ll be digesting all the speculation and confirming information surrounding the device, its availability and software features.

If you’re on the fence regarding Priv, this is the podcast to watch.

Get bonus content and exclusive access to #BBUpstream by checking out our support campaign on Patreon.

Support BBUpstream

Upstream #72 ~ “Heart” October 25th – November 1st

Video roundup of Priv by BlackBerry secure smartphone

BlackBerry provides an update for BlackBerry 10 developers, confirms support of platform

BlackBerry Content Transfer app for Priv migration

BlackBerry Priv stock apps go up on Google Play ahead of launch

Carphone Warehouse Priv by BlackBerry unboxing

Priv by BlackBerry AMA (Rumor Roundup)

Join us, leave a comment and share in the discussion.

BERRYFLOW UPSTREAM ON AIR

@alexhbass – Alex B. @elbranduco – Brandon O. @jmznvs – James N. @bla1ze – Chris P.

WATCH OR LISTEN:

Live Event on Google+

PODCAST RSS

DOWNLOAD .MP3

http://ift.tt/1Q0uxcp

Drop us a line let us know what you liked, and what you didn’t. Be sure to follow any or all of the lovely peeps listed above to track their musing online.

Want to see other Upstream sessions? Tap on over to Upstream archive to catch up on the flow.

Upstream #72 ~ Heart via BerryFlow.com.

For those Priv hungry secure smartphone lovers here’s a video roundup with all the videos of Priv we’ve seen to date. These videos take you through the software and really highlight the hardware that Priv culminates to deliver a no compromise experience for Android and BlackBerrry fans alike. The device is slated to arrive early next month for around $750 US and rumors have that it will indeed come to all four major U.S carriers. With that said, official word of this remains unclear, but devices running on Telus, Rogers, Verizon and T-Mobile have already been publicly sighted. This suggests both CDMA as well as GSM support.

If you need a reminder of why this device is commanding a $750 price tag:

5.4-inch, 2560 x 1440 resolution AMOLED display (540ppi)

1.8GHz Snapdragon 808 hexa-core processor

3GB RAM

32GB storage (expandable to 2TB)

18MP rear camera – 2MP front camera

Dual LED flash

3,410mAh battery

Dimensions: 147 (184 opened) x 77.2 x 9.4 mm

Nano SIM

Android 5.1.1 Lollipop

“The elegant smartphone features a dual curved 5.4-inch Quad HD display, QWERTY keyboard, 3,410mAh battery and an awesome Schneider-Kreuznach certified camera lens.”

If this doesn’t get your excited for Priv, I don’t know what will. Sound off in the comments, are you gonna wait and see the official reviews of the device, or are you already sold on purchasing this Android powered secure smartphone from BlackBerry?

Video roundup of Priv by BlackBerry secure smartphone via BerryFlow.com.

You can now order a PRIV by BlackBerry handset of your own. Shipping begins on November 6th and we’ve got loads more details on the specifics of the device. Full device specs and even various overviews of BlackBerry’s software additions atop Android Lollipop.

Get bonus content and exclusive access to #BBUpstream by checking out our support campaign on Patreon.

Support BBUpstream

Upstream #71 ~ “Priv On” October 19th – October 25th

BlackBerry must influence market focus on security

BlackBerry PRIV pre-orders go live $699, ships November 6th

Checkout this PRIV by BlackBerry web tutorial

You can now schedule posts for a later time in BBM Channels

John Chen’s comments on BlackBerry commitment to privacy

Join us, leave a comment and share in the discussion.

BERRYFLOW UPSTREAM ON AIR

@alexhbass – Alex B. @elbranduco – Brandon O. @jmznvs – James N. @bla1ze – Chris P.

WATCH OR LISTEN:

Live Event on Google+

PODCAST RSS

DOWNLOAD .MP3

http://ift.tt/1GrpNdc

Drop us a line let us know what you liked, and what you didn’t. Be sure to follow any or all of the lovely peeps listed above to track their musing online.

Want to see other Upstream sessions? Tap on over to Upstream archive to catch up on the flow.

Upstream #71 ~ Priv On via BerryFlow.com.

If you’re interested in purchasing a Priv by BlackBerry, the companies first ever secure Android powered device, you’ll know solid information around the devices features and software capabilities have been hard pressed to find. Now with Priv available for order (shipping Nov 6th) more information is coming out from carrier partners which serves as a tutorial for sales representatives and savvy customers.

In the tutorial linked you’ll find a swipe by swipe simulation of the Priv and some of its inner working. BlackBerry has made subtle changes and tweaks to stock Android while leaving the overall experience rather vanilla. The only areas BlackBerry has manipulated with the Priv software kit are the areas BlackBerry brings more value. Some of this is highlighted in the photo below:

If you want to checkout this Priv by BlackBerry web tutorial visit the linked SIM below.

Checkout Priv Simulation

Photoset via BlackBerries.ru

In the photo you see the access panel for the Productivity Edge which tailors its offering to the user depending on what they’re doing.

Enabled applications can be swiped on the home screen to reveal pop out widgets allowing users to peek into application notifications.

Checkout this PRIV by BlackBerry web tutorial via BerryFlow.com.

Priv by BlackBerry is showing pre-order availability on ShopBlackBerry with shipping staring on November 6th. The pricing shows as 699 US and 559 in the UK. Canadians can expect to pay 899. As with previous ShopBlackBerry releases it seems the store is only stocking GSM variants of the device. We’ll have to keep on the lookout as to whether CDMA carriers like Verizon and Sprint pick up the BlackBerry PRIV in carrier variants.

We’ve yet to hear official carrier availability but it hsa been widely rumored that device will be supported by the major carriers here stateside including AT&T, Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile. We’ve seen test units of the device and can most certainly confirm T-Mobnile as a supporter of the new Priv Android handset.

BlackBerry PRIV

BlackBerry secure smartphone, powered by Android.

The smartphone will be shipped starting November 6, 2015.

PRIV™ combines everything you expect from BlackBerry plus the full eco-system of Android and its apps. PRIV comes with added security to let you know when your data could be at risk, so you can take action to improve it. PRIV features:

Elegant slim design with slide out physical keyboard

5.4-inch dual-curved screen

3410 mAh battery. Battery Life: up to 22.5 hours*

18 MP dual-flash Schneider-Kreuznach® certified camera

DTEK™ by BlackBerry®

Memory: 32GB Flash

Hot-swappable MicroSD slot (up to 2TB)

Bands:

FD-LTE 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 17, 20, 29, 30

HSPA+ 1, 2, 4, 5/6, 8

Quad band GSM/GPRS/EDGE

PREORDER BLACKBERRY PRIV

BlackBerry PRIV pre-orders go live $699, ships November 6th via BerryFlow.com.